Music

Elvis Masters: The Ultimate Countdown – Part 2

/ TY / 7 Comments

This is Part 2 of a countdown of Elvis Presley’s 711 master recordings from worst to best. Read Part 1.

We left off last time with songs in the Below Average/For Elvis Fans Only category, and we begin today with songs in that same status.

In the course of making this list, which covers only recordings released during his lifetime, I realized just how many of my favorite Elvis recordings were released after his death. For example, I find the master of “Baby, What You Want Me To Do” from the ELVIS-TV Special album to be a middling performance, ranked here at #550. However, a couple of the other versions recorded that same night would actually make my “All-Time Top 20” list.

This list represents one fan’s opinion.

#600 I Miss You (1973)
Raised On Rock

#599 Moonlight Swim (1961)
Blue Hawaii

#598 He Touched Me (1971)
He Touched Me

#597 He Is My Everything (1971)
He Touched Me

#596 Can’t Help Falling In Love/Closing Riff (Live-1974)
Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis
Comment: “Can’t Help Falling In Love” from Elvis’ March 20, 1974, Memphis concert is the lowest ranked of his live masters.

#595 I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (1956)
Elvis Presley

#594 Clambake (1967)
Clambake

#593 Once Is Enough (1963)
Kissin’ Cousins

#592 Stop, Look And Listen (1966)
Spinout

#591 Roustabout (1964)
Roustabout

#590 Give Me The Right (1961)
Something For Everybody

#589 A Boy Like Me, A Girl Like You (1962)
Girls! Girls! Girls!

#588 Easy Question (1962)
Pot Luck With Elvis

#587 Put The Blame On Me (1961)
Something For Everybody

#586 Gonna Get Back Home Somehow (1962)
Pot Luck With Elvis

#585 Your Time Hasn’t Come Yet, Baby (1967)
Speedway

#584 Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers (1963)
Elvis For Everyone!

#583 Do The Vega (1963)
Singer Presents Elvis Singing Flaming Star And Others

#582 Ito Eats (1961)
Blue Hawaii

#581 Beach Shack (1966)
Spinout

#580 I Got A Woman/Amen (Live-1974)
Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis

#579 First In Line (1956)
Elvis

#578 Have I Told You Lately That I Love You (1957)
Loving You

#577 Sand Castles (1965)
Paradise, Hawaiian Style

#576 Because Of Love (1962)
Girls! Girls! Girls!

#575 True Love (1957)
Loving You

#574 Fun In Acapulco (1963)
Fun In Acapulco
Comment: With #574 and below in today’s list, we move into Average/Mediocre songs. I still wouldn’t go out of my way to play any of these for the general public, but they aren’t bad.

#573 Comin’ Home, Baby/Introductions By Elvis (Live-1973)
Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite

#572 Comin’ Home, Baby/Introductions By Elvis (Live-1972)
As Recorded At Madison Square Garden
Comment: I never thought I’d see the day where I was ranking versions of Elvis introducing his backing singers and musicians during his concerts, but here I am. Friends, that’s what I’m willing to do for you. These June 10, 1972, Evening Show introductions from Madison Square Garden edge out the similar introductions from Elvis’ January 14, 1973, concert in Honolulu because Elvis introduces each of the Sweet Inspirations by name rather than solely as the group. I love the Sweet Inspirations and wish he had introduced them this way at each concert.

#571 There’s A Brand New Day On The Horizon (1964)
Roustabout

#570 Down By The Riverside/When The Saints Go Marching In (1965)
Frankie And Johnny

#569 Girl Happy (1964)
Girl Happy

#568 Hey Little Girl (1965)
Harum Scarum

#567 I’ll Take Love (1966)
C’mon Everybody

#566 Frankfort Special (1960)
G.I. Blues

#565 Easy Come, Easy Go (1966)
C’mon Everybody

#564 Tonight Is So Right For Love (1960)
G.I. Blues

#563 Summer Kisses, Winter Tears (1960)
Elvis For Everyone!

#562 Ask Me (1964)
Elvis’ Gold Records, Volume 4

#561 How’s The World Treating You (1956)
Elvis

#560 Hard Knocks (1964)
Roustabout

#559 Steppin’ Out Of Line (1961)
Pot Luck With Elvis

#558 I Don’t Wanna Be Tied (1962)
Girls! Girls! Girls!

#557 Find Out What’s Happening (1973)
Raised On Rock

#556 Hound Dog (Live-1973)
Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite

#555 Tryin’ To Get To You (Live-1974)
Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis

#554 Can’t Help Falling In Love/Closing Riff (Live-1973)
Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite

#553 Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On (Live-1973)
Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite

#552 Cindy, Cindy (1970)
Love Letters From Elvis

#551 Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On/Mama Don’t Dance/Flip, Flop & Fly/Jailhouse Rock/Hound Dog (Live-1974)
Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis

#550 Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Live-1968)
ELVIS-TV Special
Comment: The live master of “Baby, What You Want Me To Do” is the lowest ranked of his masters captured for the ELVIS television special, later known as the “’68 Comeback Special.”

#549 I Feel That I’ve Known You Forever (1962)
Pot Luck With Elvis

#548 I Need You So (1957)
Loving You

#547 I’ll Never Know (1970)
Love Letters From Elvis

#546 Help Me (Live-1974)
Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis

#545 Beyond The Bend (1962)
It Happened At The World’s Fair

#544 Starting Today (1961)
Something For Everybody

#543 We’ll Be Together (1962)
Girls! Girls! Girls!

#542 Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello (1962)
Elvis’ Gold Records, Volume 4

#541 I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine (1954)
The Sun Sessions

#540 This Is Our Dance (1970)
Love Letters From Elvis

#539 Tomorrow Night (1954/1965)
Elvis For Everyone!

#538 A House That Has Everything (1967)
Clambake

#537 This Is The Story (1969)
From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis

#536 How Do You Think I Feel (1956)
Elvis

#535 So Glad You’re Mine (1956)
Elvis

#534 One-Sided Love Affair (1956)
Elvis Presley

#533 Let’s Forget About The Stars (1968)
Let’s Be Friends

#532 Long Legged Girl (1966)
Double Trouble

#531 Riding The Rainbow (1961)
I Got Lucky

#530 El Toro (1963)
Fun In Acapulco

#529 Young Dreams (1958)
King Creole

#528 Frankie And Johnny (1965)
Frankie And Johnny

#527 My Desert Serenade (1965)
Harum Scarum

#526 Fools Rush In (1971)
Elvis Now

#525 Double Trouble (1966)
Double Trouble

#524 Guitar Man/Little Egypt/Trouble (1968)
ELVIS-TV Special

#523 Nothingville/Big Boss Man (1968)
ELVIS-TV Special

#522 I Got Stung (1958)
50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong: Elvis’ Gold Records – Volume 2
Comment: “I Got Stung” is the lowest ranked of Elvis’ 38 Billboard Top 10 hits on my list.

#521 Please Don’t Drag That String Around (1963)
Elvis’ Gold Records, Volume 4

#520 Vino, Dinero Y Amor (1963)
Fun In Acapulco

#519 My Wish Came True (1957)
50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong: Elvis’ Gold Records – Volume 2

#518 Who Are You (1967)
Speedway

#517 Puppet On A String (1964)
Girl Happy

#516 One Broken Heart For Sale (1962)
One Broken Heart For Sale (Single)

#515 What Now, What Next, Where To (1963)
Double Trouble

#514 It’s Over (Live-1973)
Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite

#513 Santa Lucia (1963)
Elvis For Everyone!

#512 Crawfish (1958)
with Kitty White
King Creole

#511 Let Me Be There (Live-1974)
Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis

#510 I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell (1960)
Something For Everybody

#509 Welcome To My World (Live-1973)
Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite

#508 Slowly But Surely (1963)
Fun In Acapulco

#507 Fever (1960)
Elvis Is Back!

#506 Cotton Candy Land (1962)
It Happened At The World’s Fair

#505 If You Don’t Come Back (1973)
Raised On Rock

#504 Love Letters (1966)
Elvis’ Gold Records, Volume 4

#503 Kiss Me Quick (1961)
Pot Luck With Elvis

#502 Spanish Eyes (1973)
Good Times

#501 White Christmas (1957)
Elvis’ Christmas Album

To Be Continued . . .

Read Part 3

Elvis Presley in 1957 (MGM)

Elvis Presley in 1957 (MGM)

“Come quickly to help me, O Lord my savior.”
Psalm 38:22

Elvis Masters: The Ultimate Countdown – Part 1

/ TY / 17 Comments
Elvis Presley in 1961 (United Artists)

Elvis Presley in 1961 (United Artists)

In his 23-year career as an entertainer, Elvis Presley released 711 master recordings. This year is the 45th anniversary of his death, and attempting to rank all of those recordings from worst to best is the ridiculous, over-the-top way I have chosen to mark the occasion here on The Mystery Train.

Portions of this list presented unexpected challenges – especially today’s entries. I usually try to keep things positive here on The Mystery Train, so I have never done a “Worst of Elvis” type of ranking. It’s one thing to analyze the merits of 1972’s “Burning Love” versus 1956’s “Love Me” to determine which is better. It is quite a different thing to assess the failings of 1965’s “What Every Woman Lives For” versus 1956’s “We’re Gonna Move” to determine which is worse.

As always, this is one fan’s opinion. For many of the songs, I have included links to the official recordings on YouTube so that, if you dare, you can listen for yourself and make your own judgments (I am not sure if the YouTube videos will function outside of the U.S. – if not, my apologies).

As noted, we are starting at the bottom – which is dominated by movie tunes and illustrates just how destructive those soundtracks were on Elvis’ body of work. Yes, some of the tunes work a little better within the context of the actual films, but that doesn’t mean they should have come out on record. Elvis should not have wasted his gift in this way.

It will take us a little while to get to the good stuff, but come aboard now and get strapped in to your seat. The ride will be a little bumpy in the beginning. We begin with the Poor/Horrible category.

#711 Confidence (1967)
Clambake
Comment: As the worst Elvis song released in his lifetime, “Confidence” also earns the “distinctions” of being the worst of his 1960s master recordings and the worst of his movie masters.

#710 Wolf Call (1964)
Girl Happy

#709 Barefoot Ballad (1963)
Kissin’ Cousins

#708 A Cane And A High Starched Collar (1960)
A Legendary Performer, Volume 2

#707 Scratch My Back (1965)
Paradise, Hawaiian Style

#706 A Dog’s Life (1965)
Paradise, Hawaiian Style

#705 Datin’ (1965)
Paradise, Hawaiian Style

#704 Yoga Is As Yoga Does (1966)
I Got Lucky

#703 I’m Not The Marrying Kind (1961)
C’mon Everybody

#702 What Every Woman Lives For (1965)
Frankie And Johnny

#701 We’re Gonna Move (1956)
A Date With Elvis
Comment: Recorded for the movie Love Me Tender, “We’re Gonna Move” is the worst of Elvis’ 1950s masters. It narrowly escapes being recognized as one of the ten worst masters of his entire career.

#700 Fort Lauderdale Chamber Of Commerce (1964)
Girl Happy

#699 Poor Boy (1956)
For LP Fans Only

#698 Startin’ Tonight (1964)
Girl Happy

#697 There’s Gold In The Mountains (1963)
Kissin’ Cousins

#696 Petunia, The Gardener’s Daughter (1965)
with Eileen Wilson
Frankie And Johnny

#695 Who Needs Money (1967)
with Ray Walker
Clambake

#694 Look Out, Broadway (1965)
with Eileen Wilson and Ray Walker
Frankie And Johnny

#693 Go East, Young Man (1965)
Harum Scarum

#692 Golden Coins (1965)
Harum Scarum

#691 Kissin’ Cousins No. 2 (1963)
Kissin’ Cousins

#690 House Of Sand (1965)
Paradise, Hawaiian Style

#689 Carny Town (1964)
Roustabout

#688 Big Love, Big Heartache (1964)
Roustabout

#687 Spring Fever (1964)
Girl Happy

#686 Poison Ivy League (1964)
Roustabout

#685 Stop Where You Are (1965)
Paradise, Hawaiian Style

#684 Everybody Come Aboard (1965)
Frankie And Johnny

#683 Lonesome Cowboy (1957)
Loving You

#682 Steadfast, Loyal And True (1958)
King Creole

#681 This Is Living (1961)
C’mon Everybody

#680 The Walls Have Ears (1962)
Girls! Girls! Girls!

#679 Sound Advice (1961)
Elvis For Everyone!

#678 Wisdom Of The Ages (1965)
Harum Scarum

#677 Smokey Mountain Boy (1963)
Kissin’ Cousins

#676 And The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind (1969)
From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis
Comment: “And The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind” is the worst of Elvis’ non-movie masters and the worst of his mostly stellar American Sound sessions from 1969.

#675 Chesay (1965)
Frankie And Johnny

#674 Little Egypt (1964)
Roustabout

#673 Let Me (1956)
Worldwide Gold Award Hits, Volume 2

#672 Hot Dog (1957)
Loving You

#671 Padre (1971)
Elvis (Fool)
Comment: “Padre” is the worst of Elvis’ 1970s masters. In 1958, Elvis name-checked Toni Arden‘s “Padre” as his favorite song. It is unfortunate that his own recording 13 years later is so uninspired. I’m a firm believer that much of Elvis’ 1970s material is underrated, but “Padre” is tough to defend.

#670 If That Isn’t Love (1973)
Good Times

#669 She Wears My Ring (1973)
Good Times

#668 Mama (1962)
Let’s Be Friends

#667 Shake That Tambourine (1965)
Harum Scarum

#666 Earth Boy (1962)
Girls! Girls! Girls!

#665 Kismet (1965)
Harum Scarum

#664 Catchin’ On Fast (1963)
Kissin’ Cousins

#663 He’s Your Uncle, Not Your Dad (1967)
Speedway

#662 Mirage (1965)
Harum Scarum

#661 Big Boots (1960)
G.I. Blues

#660 No Room To Rhumba In A Sports Car (1963)
Fun In Acapulco

#659 Blue River (1963)
Double Trouble

#658 Sing You Children (1966)
You’ll Never Walk Alone

#657 She’s A Machine (1966)
Singer Presents Elvis Singing Flaming Star And Others

#656 Smorgasbord (1966)
Spinout

#655 I Love Only One Girl (1966)
Double Trouble

#654 Wheels On My Heels (1964)
Roustabout

#653 Take Me To The Fair (1962)
It Happened At The World’s Fair

#652 The Yellow Rose Of Texas/The Eyes Of Texas (1963)
Singer Presents Elvis Singing Flaming Star And Others

#651 Western Union (1963)
Speedway

#650 In Your Arms (1961)
Something For Everybody

#649 It Ain’t No Big Thing (1970)
Love Letters From Elvis

#648 Woman Without Love (1975)
Today

#647 Song Of The Shrimp (1962)
Girls! Girls! Girls!
Comment: The fact that a movie tune in which Elvis sings from the first-person perspective of a shrimp is not even close to being the worst song on this list is a testament to the utter horribleness of the above songs.

#646 It’s Carnival Time (1964)
Roustabout
Comment: From “It’s Carnival Time” at #646 and below in today’s list, the songs transition from Poor/Horrible to the Below Average/For Elvis Fans Only category.

#645 One Boy, Two Little Girls (1963)
Kissin’ Cousins

#644 Hey, Hey, Hey (1967)
Clambake

#643 It Won’t Be Long (1966)
Double Trouble

#642 You Can’t Say No In Acapulco (1963)
Fun In Acapulco

#641 I’m Falling In Love Tonight (1962)
It Happened At The World’s Fair

#640 Miracle Of The Rosary (1971)
Elvis Now

#639 I’m Yours (1961)
Pot Luck With Elvis

#638 Happy Ending (1962)
It Happened At The World’s Fair

#637 The Love Machine (1966)
I Got Lucky

#636 Queenie Wahine’s Papaya (1965)
Paradise, Hawaiian Style

#635 Baby, If You’ll Give Me All Of Your Love (1966)
Double Trouble

#634 Shout It Out (1965)
Frankie And Johnny

#633 There Is So Much World To See (1966)
Double Trouble

#632 Do The Clam (1964)
Girl Happy

#631 Adam And Evil (1966)
Spinout

#630 The Meanest Girl In Town (1964)
Girl Happy

#629 There Ain’t Nothing Like A Song (1967)
with Nancy Sinatra
Speedway

#628 I’ll Be Back (1966)
Spinout

#627 Come Along (1965)
Frankie And Johnny

#626 Three Corn Patches (1973)
Raised On Rock

#625 I Love You Because (1954)
Elvis Presley
Comment: “I Love You Because,” one of Elvis’ very first recordings, is the lowest ranked of his legendary Sun sessions.

#624 When I’m Over You (1970)
Love Letters From Elvis

#623 Lover Doll (1958)
Worldwide Gold Award Hits, Volume 2

#622 For The Millionth And The Last Time (1961)
Elvis For Everyone!

#621 A World Of Our Own (1962)
It Happened At The World’s Fair

#620 If I Were You (1970)
Love Letters From Elvis

#619 Echoes Of Love (1963)
Kissin’ Cousins

#618 There Is No God But God (1971)
He Touched Me

#617 Reach Out To Jesus (1971)
He Touched Me

#616 Wooden Heart (1960)
G.I. Blues

#615 Do Not Disturb (1964)
Girl Happy

#614 I’ve Got To Find My Baby (1964)
Girl Happy

#613 Who Am I (1969)
You’ll Never Walk Alone

#612 Tell Me Why (1957)
Worldwide Gold Award Hits, Volume 2

#611 Girl Of Mine (1973)
Raised On Rock

#610 Susan When She Tried (1975)
Today

#609 Relax (1962)
It Happened At The World’s Fair

#608 You Gotta Stop (1966)
I Got Lucky

#607 What’s She Really Like (1960)
G.I. Blues

#606 Just A Little Bit (1973)
Raised On Rock

#605 Just For Old Time Sake (1962)
Pot Luck With Elvis

#604 Harem Holiday (1965)
Harum Scarum

#603 Tonight’s All Right For Love (1960)
A Legendary Performer, Volume 1

#602 How Would You Like To Be (1962)
It Happened At The World’s Fair

#601 A Whistling Tune (1961)
C’mon Everybody

To Be Continued . . .

Read Part 2

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”
Luke 16:13

Vinyl Elvis: HIS HAND IN MINE (1960)

/ TY / 2 Comments

Portions of this post originally appeared in a review I wrote of His Hand In Mine for the album’s 60th anniversary in Kees Mouwen’s Elvis Day By Day 2020: The Year In Review. The 2021 volume is available now.

HIS HAND IN MINE (RCA, 1960; from TY’s collection) | Click image for full-color version

His Hand In Mine
Label: RCA
Catalog Number: LPM-2328
Recorded: 1960 | Nashville
Released: 1960

1960 was Elvis Presley’s most productive year to that point in his career. He recorded 52 studio masters, released 3 albums, and filmed 3 movies; and all that with being out of commission for almost the entire first 3 months while completing his stint in the U.S. Army.

For the 25-year-old singer, the albums Elvis Is Back! and His Hand In Mine represented artistic achievements on par with his outstanding work in the previous decade. The latter title was his first Long Play (LP) sacred album, a follow-up of sorts to his 1957 Extended Play (EP) sacred album Peace In The Valley.

Elvis recorded the entire His Hand In Mine album the night of October 30, finishing in the early morning hours of October 31, 1960. Amazingly, the record was in stores within a month – presumably rushed to have it ready for the Christmas season. RCA released His Hand In Mine in both mono and stereo formats.

As a second generation Elvis fan, I first heard His Hand In Mine in the early 1990s on CD. As with so many Elvis albums, I have bought it a number of times in different CD configurations over the years since then. When Kees asked me to review the album for its 60th anniversary back in 2020, I sought out a vinyl version – a first pressing of the 1960 mono release.

One of the things I enjoy about collecting used records is pondering their history. I imagine a young Elvis fan in 1960 buying this album at her or his local record shop and taking it home to play it for the first time. What else is happening in November 1960?

Inner sleeve of HIS HAND IN MINE (RCA, 1960; from TY’s collection) | Click image for color version

How many others owned this particular copy of His Hand In Mine before it made its way into my hands 60 years later? Whose hands will hold it 60 years from now?

The album is in remarkable condition for its age. The outer sleeve, featuring a photo of Elvis at the piano, taken during a break while filming Flaming Star, is still vibrant. Only a small tear beneath the RCA logo on the front cover, where a fan was perhaps too aggressive in removing a price tag, and minor splitting in the bottom seam betray its age. The inner sleeve, promoting Elvis Is Back!, is in great shape. On the vinyl itself, there are but a few little crackles in quiet portions. Whether this is an indication that the original owner(s) did not play this album very often or simply treated it with reverence, there is no way to know.

When I first heard His Hand In Mine nearly 30 years ago, I believed in God but had little understanding of Christianity. While I thought Elvis’ voice sounded beautiful on many of the songs, I really did not connect with them beyond that. I did occasionally play this or one of his other sacred albums on a random Sunday, seeking something.

In 2018, I accepted Jesus into my heart, and I was literally reborn (2 Corinthians 5:17). While I still stumble every day, I now have a personal relationship with Jesus through daily reading of the Bible and prayer that helps me get back on track to becoming who He created me to be.

As for Elvis’ sacred recordings, they began to take on new meaning for me. It is within this context that I want to examine His Hand In Mine.

Side 1 of HIS HAND IN MINE (RCA, 1960; from TY’s collection) | Click image for full-color version

Side 1

  1. His Hand In Mine
    The album kicks off with the title track, “His Hand In Mine.” Elvis’ voice is full of new confidence and strength on this slow number – as compared to 1956’s more faltering “Love Me Tender,” for instance.
  2. I’m Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs
    Up next, the pace picks up with “I’m Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs.” This song sounds like Elvis fulfilling his dream of being in a gospel quartet. The line “When Jesus says to me, ‘Well done'” recalls the following verse from the Bible: “His lord said unto him, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord'” (Matthew 25:21 KJV). As a Christian, I do not fear death, as I know it is when I will go to meet Jesus. I pray I will live the rest of my life such that He will say, “Well done.”
  3. In My Father’s House
    There is an even more direct Scriptural reference in the next song, “In My Father’s House.” Elvis sings, “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not true He would have told me so.” In the Bible, Jesus states: “In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2 KJV). Elvis’ vocals are exquisite on lines like, “Jesus died upon the cross to bear my sorrow. Freely died that souls like you might have new life.” A highlight of the album.
  4. Milky White Way
  5. Known Only To Him
    “Known Only To Him” is an interesting 1960 recording by Elvis because it is one of those where portions sound like his later voice from the 1970s. His inspirational and Christmas songs do tend to blend together better across the decades, though, compared to many of his other recordings. It would have been interesting to hear Elvis take another try at this song in 1970 or 1971, even if live. I don’t think he would have been able to better this version, though.
  6. I Believe In The Man In The Sky

Side 2 of HIS HAND IN MINE (RCA, 1960; from TY’s collection) | Click image for full-color version

Side 2

  1. Joshua Fit The Battle
    My first complete read-through of the Bible in 2018 had a secondary and unexpected benefit of filling in details for me on a number of songs. For instance, in the upbeat “Joshua Fit The Battle,” I had always heard the lyrics as, “I know you’ve heard about Joshua, he was the son of none.” Yes, for 25 years I thought Joshua was an orphan until I finally learned that his father’s name was Nun. The song recounts the battle of Jericho, which is featured in chapter 6 of Joshua in the Old Testament. In his later years, Joshua was one of only two adults from Moses’ original followers to make it to the Promised Land.
  2. Jesus Knows What I Need
    “Jesus Knows What I Need” is one of those songs that speaks Truth whenever I need comfort. I can imagine Elvis singing this one around the piano with friends. A bit of trivia: In subsequent pressings of His Hand In Mine, this song’s title was corrected to “He Knows Just What I Need.”
  3. Swing Down Sweet Chariot
    The humorous “Swing Down Sweet Chariot” takes us back to the Old Testament. Called “Zeke” in the song, the prophet Ezekiel’s encounter with the chariot of God is described in chapter 1 of Ezekiel. Though I love this song, I much prefer the alternate version of Elvis’ 1968 re-recording that features the Blossoms as the backing vocalists.
  4. Mansion Over The Hilltop
    Like “In My Father’s House” on Side 1, “Mansion Over the Hilltop” and “If We Never Meet Again” on Side 2 provide beautiful illustrations of the Perfect Place, Heaven. In “Mansion,” a favorite line is, “Someday yonder we will never more wander, but walk on streets that are pure as gold.” I just love the sound of Elvis’ voice as he paints this picture.
  5. If We Never Meet Again
    Elvis’ mother, Gladys, passed away in August 1958 at the age of 46, and I’m sure Elvis had her in mind while recording “If We Never Meet Again,” which states: “If we never meet again this side of Heaven, as we struggle through this world and its strife, there’s another meeting place somewhere in Heaven, by the side of the River of Life – where the charming roses bloom forever and ever, and separations come no more.” The “River of Life” is from Revelation 22:1 in the Bible, which describes God’s throne in Heaven. Elvis was only 23 when he lost his mother. At a September 1958 press conference before leaving to be stationed in Germany until his return to the U.S. and civilian life in March 1960, he had this to say about her, captured on the Elvis Sails EP: “My mother, I suppose since I was an only child, that we might have been a little closer. Everyone loves their mother, but I was an only child, and Mother was always right with me, all my life. It wasn’t only like losing a mother, it was like losing a friend, a companion, someone to talk to. I could wake her up any hour of the night, and if I was worried or troubled about something, she’d get up and try to help me.”
  6. Working On The Building
    I first heard the energetic “Working On The Building” on the 1988 album Elvis In Nashville and loved it right away. Take 2, released on the 2006 FTD edition of His Hand In Mine, is also a favorite. In the gospel segment of the 1968 ELVIS television special, wheelbarrows can be seen as part of the set decoration – reminding me of this 1960 song, which was unfortunately not performed on the show. “I’m working on the building, it’s a true foundation,” sings Elvis. In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus talks about the importance of building a strong spiritual foundation. “Working On The Building” serves as a perfect conclusion to His Hand In Mine.

Back cover of HIS HAND IN MINE (RCA, 1960; from TY’s collection) | Click image for color version

I enjoy looking at album covers while playing records. His Hand In Mine includes liner notes on the back by Robert Kotlowitz. He explores Elvis’ early faith through attending the First Assembly Church of God in Tupelo, Mississippi.

An interesting tidbit in the liner notes, which I do not recall reading elsewhere, is, “Gladys and Vernon Presley, with their small son [Elvis] standing between them, became a popular trio singing hymns at camp meetings, revivals and church conventions.” Truth or legend?

The liner notes also include a quote from Elvis’ mother: “When Elvis was just a little fellow, he would slide off my lap, run down the aisle, and scramble up to the platform of the church. He would stand looking up at the choir and try to sing with them. He was too little to know the words, of course, but he could carry the tune.”

Except for a quick session in June 1958, which was a couple of months before his mother’s death, Elvis made no formal recordings while serving in the Army. While Elvis Is Back! and the G.I. Blues soundtrack afforded no such opportunities, I firmly believe His Hand In Mine is a “labor of love” by Elvis in tribute not only to Jesus but, as Kotlowitz states, to Gladys Presley.

Back inner sleeve of HIS HAND IN MINE (RCA, 1960; from TY’s collection) | Click image for color version

“The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.”
Proverb 15:3

2021 Songs of the Year

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Well, folks, congratulations for making it to 2022!

My traditional first post of each year is an analysis of my music listening trends for the previous year. I know you have been waiting anxiously to learn about these numbers, and there were a few surprises in the 2021 data.

Out of exactly 5,000 Elvis Presley tracks in my digital collection on iTunes, the one I played most often in 2021 across all devices was a shocker…

Credit: Vevo’s Elvis Presley channel (YouTube)

I did not backup the undubbed/unedited version of “Merry Christmas Baby,” as released on Back In Nashville, to iTunes until December 8, 2021, and I stopped playing Christmas music after December 25 – so it was at a huge disadvantage to Elvis tracks that I have been playing all year. However, it still took the prize for my most-played song of the year with 14 plays.

In a tie for second place with 13 plays each were the master versions of “Mystery Train” (1955), which of course inspired the name of my blog, and “Any Day Now” (1969).

The win for the alternate version of “Merry Christmas Baby” is even more remarkable considering the track clocks in at over 8 minutes, whereas “Mystery Train” is about 2 and a half minutes, and “Any Day Now” is about 3 minutes.

This means the alternate “Merry Christmas Baby” played for about 114 minutes total in 2021, while runners-up “Mystery Train” came in at about 33 minutes and “Any Day Now” at 39 minutes for the whole year.

I listened to 3,333 Elvis songs on my devices in 2021 (including duplicates). That is an average of 9 Elvis songs a day. I listened to 1,747 different Elvis tracks during the year.

Out of 6,663 non-Elvis tracks in my collection, my most played song overall in 2021 was Bethel Music’s “It Is Well,” with lead vocals by Kristene DiMarco. Featured on the 2014 album Live At The Civic: You Make Me Brave, this recording played 11 times on my various devices this year.

Credit: Bethel Music channel (YouTube)

My other top-played songs by artists not named Elvis Presley were:

  • “Joy” by for KING & COUNTRY, Burn The Ships, 2018, 10 plays.
  • “God Only Knows” by for KING & COUNTRY, Burn The Ships, 2018, 9 plays.
  • “Fine Fine Life” by for KING & COUNTRY, Crave, 2011, 9 plays.

Overall, I listened to 6,350 recordings using my digital devices last year (including duplicates). That works out to 17 songs a day. I listened to 3,751 different tracks during the year.

My music listening was way down in 2021 compared to previous years. These numbers are about half of what they were in 2020. I would chalk it up to the ongoing global pandemic (i.e., not having a commute to work greatly reduces my music listening time), but this was also true of 2020. So, I am not sure what is going on in my music listening habits. I know I still love music, though, especially by Elvis!

As we continue to face the surging virus, I pray that you and your family have a 2022 full of health and peace.

Blessings,
TY

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
Hebrews 12:1-2

THAT’S THE WAY IT IS: Six in the Summer of ’70

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Elvis Presley performs “Polk Salad Annie” at the August 12, 1970, Midnight Show, in Las Vegas, Nevada, captured for the ELVIS: THAT’S THE WAY IT IS documentary film (MGM)

About seven years ago, I wrote a review of That’s The Way It Is: Deluxe Edition. The 2014 Elvis Presley boxed set included 8 CDs and 2 DVDs, and my review rambled on about them for nearly 10,000 words.

Despite the length of that review, there are some loose ends that I would finally like to begin tying up regarding my all-time favorite Elvis event. I don’t know how many posts this will actually take, and they won’t necessarily run sequential to one another, either. Such is the way of things when you ride The Mystery Train.

By the time of the That’s The Way It Is project, Elvis had already performed two month-long engagements at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. From July 31 to August 28, 1969, he performed 57 concerts, 11 of which RCA recorded in full near the end of the series and compiled into the Elvis In Person half of the From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis double album.

Elvis performed another 57-show engagement from January 26 through February 23, 1970. RCA recorded portions of nine shows from the middle of this engagement, which resulted in the core of the album On Stage.

MGM’s camera crews were rolling for the Elvis: That’s The Way It Is documentary as he began his 3rd engagement on August 10, 1970. Marketed as the “Elvis Summer Festival,” this one ran through September 8 and included 59 shows. RCA recorded the first 6 concerts in full–concluding with the August 13 Dinner Show. Only four of the live songs found their way onto the That’s The Way It Is album, which acted as a tie-in to the film but otherwise featured studio songs Elvis had recorded in June.

These first three engagements at the International Hotel include some of the greatest live performances of Elvis’ career, but the vast majority of the recordings languished away in RCA’s vaults until long after his death. While performances of individual songs were often superior in the two previous engagements, to the extent there was overlap, the overall shows in the third engagement, as captured for That’s The Way It Is, are better than any that preceded or followed them.

All right, if I’m not careful, I’ll be on the way to another unreadable 10,000 word post. I love this topic, but let’s get on with it.

To assist with today’s post, I created the following infochart covering the six concerts RCA recorded for That’s The Way It Is. The numbers in the concert columns represent the sequence he performed those songs in that particular show.

Elvis Presley Summer 1970 Setlists Infochart | Compiled by TY

Focusing on the 6 shows that RCA recorded in the course of 4 days, Elvis performed only 6 of the songs at every single concert:

  • That’s All Right
  • Love Me Tender
  • You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’
  • Polk Salad Annie
  • Bridge Over Troubled Water
  • Can’t Help Falling In Love

All of these are strong highlights, with only a couple of exceptions in individual shows.

The following songs appeared in 5 of the 6 concerts:

  • Hound Dog
  • I Just Can’t Help Believin’
  • Heartbreak Hotel
  • Suspicious Minds

Of these, the highlights are tremendous versions of “Suspicious Minds” and “I Just Can’t Help Believin'”. While the “Suspicious Minds” live performances are not quite as good as his August 1969 renditions, the August 1970 versions are still stellar and far better than the ones captured in February 1970. Though again inferior to 1969, “Hound Dog” and “Heartbreak Hotel” remain entertaining at this point and are not yet the throwaways they would unfortunately soon become – particularly “Hound Dog.”

Not including snippets, the following songs appeared in only 1 of the 6 concerts:

  • The Next Step Is Love
  • Don’t Cry Daddy/In The Ghetto
  • Stranger In The Crowd
  • Make The World Go Away
  • Twenty Days And Twenty Nights
  • The Wonder Of You
  • Don’t Be Cruel
  • Little Sister/Get Back
  • I Was The One
  • Are You Lonesome Tonight

All of the one-off songs have something to offer. One of the great “misses” of the time period, in my opinion, is “Stranger In The Crowd” not being chosen and promoted as a single for That’s The Way It Is, in lieu of “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me.” The “Stranger In The Crowd” studio track is amazing, and his subsequent rehearsals with his core rhythm group for the live show prove it could have been dynamite. Unfortunately, the sole live version is marred by featuring too much of the Imperials vocal group and the orchestra’s horns. If only the Elvis team had worked out a simpler arrangement that was closer to those early rehearsals.

As it was his most recent hit at the time of these concerts, it is interesting that Elvis performed “The Wonder Of You” only once during the six shows.

Featuring Elvis on electric guitar, “Little Sister/Get Back,” “I Was The One,” “Love Me” (August 12 version only), and “Are You Lonesome Tonight” are all top-notch. Even the non-guitar version of “Love Me” (August 11) is a stand-out and far better than any post-1970 version.

With revised arrangements, “Words” and “I Can’t Stop Loving You” are two songs Elvis improves in Summer 1970 over his Summer 1969 performances.

Other highlights of the overall six-concert span include “Mystery Train/Tiger Man” (of course) and “Just Pretend.”

These are darn-near perfect shows. The only major Elvis categories they are lacking are gospel and the blues. It is unfortunate that Elvis did not perform “Oh Happy Day” at any of these concerts, despite having rehearsed it at the last minute, as he surely would have recorded a superlative version at this time in his career. However, the gospel sound is certainly present on a few of the secular recordings, including showstoppers “I Just Can’t Help Believin'” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” As for the blues, some of that influence can certainly be heard in the aforementioned electric guitar segment from the August 12 Midnight Show.

Here is my “August 1970 Ultimate Show” playlist recipe for this concert engagement. As noted, Elvis’ setlist varied widely each night, so no single show actually contained all of these songs. In fact, such a concert would have been longer than any show Elvis actually gave in his entire life, to my knowledge.

  1. Opening Riff/That’s All Right (August 10, 1970, Opening Show [OS])
  2. Mystery Train/Tiger Man (August 12, 1970, Midnight Show [MS])
  3. I Got A Woman (August 13, 1970, Dinner Show [DS]
  4. Hound Dog (August 11, 1970, MS)
  5. Love Me Tender (August 11, 1970, MS)
  6. The Next Step Is Love (August 10, 1970, OS)
  7. Just Pretend (August 11, 1970, MS)
  8. Don’t Cry Daddy/In The Ghetto (August 13, 1970, DS)
  9. Men With Broken Hearts/Walk A Mile In My Shoes (August 11, 1970, MS)
  10. I’ve Lost You (August 11, 1970, DS)
  11. There Goes My Everything (August 11, 1970, MS)
  12. I Just Can’t Help Believin’ (August 12, 1970, DS)
  13. Stranger In The Crowd (August 13, 1970, DS)
  14. Words (August 12, 1970, MS)
  15. Something (August 11, 1970, MS)
  16. Make The World Go Away (August 13, 1970, DS)
  17. Patch It Up (August 10, 1970, OS)
  18. Sweet Caroline (August 12, 1970, MS)
  19. I Can’t Stop Loving You (August 11, 1970, DS)
  20. Twenty Days And Twenty Nights (August 12, 1970, DS)
  21. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (August 12, 1970, MS)
  22. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (August 10, 1970, OS)
  23. Polk Salad Annie (August 12, 1970, MS)
  24. The Wonder Of You (August 13, 1970, DS)
  25. Heartbreak Hotel (August 12, 1970, MS)
  26. One Night (August 12, 1970, MS)
  27. Don’t Be Cruel (August 11, 1970, MS)
  28. Blue Suede Shoes (August 12, 1970, MS)
  29. All Shook Up (August 12, 1970, MS)
  30. US Male (August 11, 1970, MS)
  31. Little Sister/Get Back (August 12, 1970, MS)
  32. I Was The One (August 12, 1970, MS)
  33. Love Me (August 12, 1970, MS)
  34. Are You Lonesome Tonight (August 12, 1970, MS)
  35. Bridge Over Troubled Water (August 11, 1970, DS)
  36. Suspicious Minds (August 12, 1970, MS)
  37. Can’t Help Falling In Love (August 12, 1970, MS)

Though I did not structure it this way on purpose, all 6 shows are represented in this “best of” playlist. If you want an even fuller compilation, you could even include “Introductions By Elvis” from the August 12 Midnight Show after “Polk Salad Annie” and before “The Wonder Of You.”

As you can probably predict from the above playlist, my favorite show of the Summer 1970 engagement is the August 12 Midnight Show (disc 6 of 2014’s That’s The Way It Is: Deluxe Edition and disc 2 of 2000’s That’s The Way It Is: Special Edition). In fact, this is my favorite Elvis concert ever. It features an impeccable setlist, Elvis in top form, and the fun electric guitar segment.

Though he still had many stellar recordings and accomplishments ahead of him, Elvis was never quite as awesome again as he was in Summer 1970. I am grateful we have so much material from that time period to enjoy. I wouldn’t be as strong an Elvis fan without the magic of That’s The Way It Is.

Blessings,
TY

“We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone.”
Psalm 33:20-22

Elvis Reconfigured: 1969-1976

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Time sure has slipped away since my last post. In the course of many wonderful blessings currently going on in my life, I have been listening to plenty of Elvis Presley music even if I haven’t been writing.

I enjoy making music playlists, and I created a series of them recently that I call Elvis Reconfigured. The concept for these was, what if The Powers That Be had taken more care when compiling and sequencing albums of Elvis’ non-soundtrack studio work from 1969 to 1976?

I was happy with most of the results, so I thought I’d share the track-listings with you. Incidentally, I attempted something similar for the rest of his master recordings, but it just didn’t work out. So, there won’t be a Part 2 to this post. However, feel free to suggest your own alternates in the comments below!

Blessings,
TY

We’re traveling into an amazing land whose borders are only that of imagination. Look! There’s the station up ahead. Our next stop . . . the edge of reality.

The Edge Of Reality

Through the lens of time, submitted for your consideration are the following albums from the later years of The Memphis Flash.

Back In Memphis (Recorded 1969)
Side A

  1. Stranger In My Own Home Town
  2. Power Of My Love
  3. My Little Friend
  4. I’ll Be There
  5. Any Day Now
  6. Suspicious Minds

Side B

  1. Wearin’ That Loved-On Look
  2. Do You Know Who I Am
  3. After Loving You
  4. Rubberneckin’
  5. In The Ghetto
  6. Hey Jude

Elvis Country: Walking In The Rain (1969)
Side A

  1. Gentle On My Mind
  2. Only The Strong Survive
  3. Kentucky Rain
  4. It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin’
  5. Don’t Cry Daddy
  6. I’m Movin’ On

Side B

  1. Long Black Limousine
  2. You’ll Think Of Me
  3. Inherit The Wind
  4. If I’m A Fool
  5. Mama Liked The Roses
  6. The Fair Is Moving On

Elvis Now: Stranger In The Crowd (1970)
Side A

  1. Stranger In The Crowd
  2. I’ve Lost You
  3. How The Web Was Woven
  4. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me
  5. Sylvia
  6. The Sound Of Your Cry

Side B

  1. Patch It Up
  2. Twenty Days And Twenty Nights
  3. Just Pretend
  4. The Next Step Is Love
  5. Mary In The Morning
  6. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Heart & Soul mix)

Tomorrow Never Comes: Elvis Country – Volume 2 (1970)
Side A

  1. The Fool
  2. Little Cabin Home On The Hill
  3. Tomorrow Never Comes
  4. Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On
  5. Funny How Time Slips Away
  6. I Really Don’t Want To Know

Side B

  1. It’s Your Baby, You Rock It
  2. Faded Love
  3. Snowbird
  4. There Goes My Everything
  5. I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water
  6. Make The World Go Away

Still Here (1971)
Side A

  1. Early Morning Rain
  2. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
  3. It’s Only Love
  4. Help Me Make It Through The Night
  5. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
  6. Until It’s Time For You To Go

Side B

  1. I’m Leavin’
  2. For Lovin’ Me
  3. It’s Still Here
  4. I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen
  5. I Will Be True
  6. We Can Make The Morning

Home On Christmas Day (1971)
Side A

  1. O Come All Ye Faithful
  2. The First Noel
  3. On A Snowy Christmas Night
  4. If I Get Home On Christmas Day
  5. The Wonderful World Of Christmas
  6. Winter Wonderland

Side B

  1. Silver Bells
  2. It Won’t Seem Like Christmas
  3. Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees
  4. I’ll Be Home On Christmas Day (Remake)
  5. Merry Christmas Baby

Amazing Grace (1970-1971)
Side A

  1. I’ve Got Confidence
  2. Seeing Is Believing
  3. He Touched Me
  4. Put Your Hand In The Hand
  5. Lead Me, Guide Me
  6. Bosom Of Abraham

Side B

  1. Only Believe
  2. I, John
  3. Life
  4. Amazing Grace (Take 2)
  5. I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago
  6. An Evening Prayer

Burning Love (1970-1972)
Side A

  1. Burning Love
  2. Separate Ways
  3. Love Me, Love The Life I Lead
  4. Where Do I Go From Here
  5. Got My Mojo Working/Keep Your Hands Off Of It
  6. Rags To Riches

Side B

  1. It’s A Matter Of Time
  2. Heart Of Rome
  3. Where Did They Go, Lord
  4. I’ll Never Know
  5. Fool
  6. Always On My Mind

Promised Land (1973)
Side A

  1. Promised Land
  2. Lovin’ Arms
  3. I’ve Got A Thing About You, Baby
  4. You Asked Me To
  5. If You Talk In Your Sleep
  6. For Ol’ Times Sake

Side B

  1. Thinking About You
  2. It’s Midnight
  3. Help Me
  4. My Boy
  5. Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues
  6. Your Love’s Been A Long Time Coming

Bringing It Back (1973, 1975)
Side A

  1. T-R-O-U-B-L-E
  2. Love Song Of The Year
  3. There’s A Honky Tonk Angel
  4. Fairytale
  5. Are You Sincere
  6. Bringing It Back

Side B

  1. And I Love You So
  2. Sweet Angeline
  3. Pieces Of My Life
  4. Mr. Songman
  5. Green, Green Grass Of Home
  6. Shake A Hand

Moody Blue: From Elvis At Graceland (1976)
Side A

  1. For The Heart
  2. Solitaire
  3. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain
  4. She Thinks I Still Care (Take 2B)
  5. Danny Boy
  6. Way Down

Side B

  1. Hurt
  2. Never Again
  3. It’s Easy For You
  4. Moody Blue
  5. He’ll Have To Go
  6. Pledging My Love

The music never ends on . . . the edge of reality.

[With apologies to Serling.]

“Blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT

(Now and Then There’s) An April Fool Such as I

/ TY / 2 Comments

This fool is rushing in to bring you a ranking of Elvis’ greatest fool songs! (Or should that be his most foolish songs?)

#1 A Fool Such As I (1958)
50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong: Elvis’ Gold Records Volume 2
Other notable versions: 1970 rehearsal (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition]); 1961 live (Elvis Aron Presley).

#2 The Fool (1970)
Elvis Country
Other notable version: 1959 informal (A Golden Celebration).

#3 Fool (1972)
Elvis (Fool)

The cover of Elvis' "Fool" single (released March 1973)

The cover of Elvis’ “Fool” single, released March 1973 (RCA)

#4 Fools Rush In (Informal-1966)
In A Private Moment
Other notable version: 1971 master (Elvis Now).

#5 Fools Fall In Love (1966)
I Got Lucky

#6 If I’m A Fool (1969)
Let’s Be Friends

#7 Fool, Fool, Fool (Demo-1955)
The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll

BONUS: Love Me (“Treat Me Like A Fool”) (1956)
Elvis
Other notable versions: 1956 Live (Young Man With The Big Beat), 1968 Live (Memories), 1956 Live (A Golden Celebration), 1970 Live (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition]), 1968 Rehearsal (Burbank 68), 1970 Live (Live In Las Vegas)

“Love Me” is a late add, suggested by Thomas in the comments. While I’m showing it as a bonus “fool” song, it would actually come in at #1 on this list, pushing all of the others down by one position.

[Originally Published April 1, 2010; revised April 1, 2013, April 1, 2021, & April 2, 2021]

“Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.”
Proverb 17:28