Elvis Week

In the arena

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Elvis, 1977

Elvis, 1977

“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.” –From “Citizenship In A Republic” by Theodore Roosevelt, Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, 1910.

The 100 Greatest Elvis Presley Songs Of All Time (Part 3)

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In observance of Elvis Week and to honor the life of Elvis Presley, this is Part 3 of a countdown of his greatest songs. Read Part 2.

Heartbreak Hotel (1968)

#50 Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On (1970)
I’m 10,000 Years Old: Elvis Country

#49 As Long As I Have You (1958)
King Creole

#48 A Mess Of Blues [Take 1] (1960)
A Life In Music
Other notable version: 1960 Master (Elvis’ Gold Records, Volume 4)

#47 Witchcraft (1963)
Elvis’ Gold Records, Volume 4

#46 Twenty Days And Twenty Nights [Take 3] (1970)
The Nashville Marathon
Other notable versions: 1970 Master (That’s The Way It Is), 1970 Rough Mix (That’s The Way It Is [2008 FTD Edition]), 1970 Live (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition])

#45 When It Rains, It Really Pours [Re-recording] (1957)
Elvis For Everyone!
Other notable version: 1955 Take 9 (A Legendary Performer, Volume 4)

#44 Funny How Time Slips Away (1970)
I’m 10,000 Years Old: Elvis Country
Other notable versions: 1969 Live (Today, Tomorrow & Forever), 1972 Rehearsal (Elvis On Tour: The Rehearsals)

#43 My Baby Left Me (1956)
For LP Fans Only

#42 Amazing Grace (1971)
He Touched Me
Other notable version: 1971 Take 2 (Walk A Mile In My Shoes)

#41 The Wonder Of You [Live] (1970)
On Stage-February 1970

#40 Run On (1966)
How Great Thou Art

#39 Blue Moon (1954)
Elvis Presley

#38 Tomorrow Never Comes (1970)
I’m 10,000 Years Old: Elvis Country
Other notable version: 1970 Take 2 (The Nashville Marathon)

#37 Power Of My Love (1969)
From Elvis In Memphis
Other notable versions: 1969 Take 3 (A Life In Music), 1969 Take 6 (Memphis Sessions)

#36 I’ll Be Home On Christmas Day [Re-recording] (1971)
Memories Of Christmas
Other notable versions: 1971 Take 4 (A Life In Music), 1971 Master (Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas), 1971 Re-recording Take 9 (Today, Tomorrow & Forever), 1971 Re-recording Take 2 (I Sing All Kinds)

#35 Walk A Mile In My Shoes [Live] (1970)
Today, Tomorrow & Forever
Other notable versions: 1970 Live Master (On Stage-February 1970), 1970 Live (Polk Salad Annie)

#34 Kentucky Rain (1969)
Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits, Volume 1
Other notable version: 1970 Live (Elvis Aron Presley)

#33 Johnny B. Goode [Rehearsal] (1972)
Elvis On Tour: The Rehearsals
Other notable versions: 1970 Rehearsal (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition]), 1969 Live Master (From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis)

#32 Stranger In The Crowd (1970)
That’s The Way It Is
Other notable version: 1970 Rough Mix (That’s The Way It Is [2008 FTD Edition])

#31 That’s All Right (1954)
That’s All Right/Blue Moon Of Kentucky [SUN Single]
Other notable versions: 1968 Live (Memories), 1968 Live (A Legendary Performer, Volume 4), 1970 Live (One Night In Vegas), 1970 Live (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition]), 1970 Rehearsal (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition]), 1954 Live (The Hillbilly Cat), 1961 Live (Elvis Aron Presley), 1955 Live (The First Live Recordings)

#30 Pledging My Love (1976)
Moody Blue
Other notable version: Take 3 (A Life In Music)

#29 I Really Don’t Want To Know (1970)
I’m 10,000 Years Old: Elvis Country
Other notable versions: 1970 Undubbed Master (I’m 10,000 Years Old: Elvis Country [2008 FTD Edition]), 1977 Live (Elvis In Concert)

#28 How Great Thou Art (1966)
How Great Thou Art
Other notable versions: 1966 Take 2 (A Life In Music), 1974 Live [Alternate Mix] (Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis [2004 FTD Edition]), 1972 Live (Close Up)

#27 An American Trilogy [Live] (1972)
This Is Elvis
Other notable versions: 1972 Live Master (An American Trilogy/The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face [RCA Single]), 1973 Live (Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite), 1973 Live (The Alternate Aloha)

#26 Heartbreak Hotel [Live] (1968)
ELVIS-TV Special
Other notable versions: 1968 Live (Memories [Disc 2, Track 5]), 1956 Master (Elvis’ Golden Records), 1969 Live (Collectors Gold), 1956 Live (A Golden Celebration [Disc 1, Track 17])

To Be Continued . . .

Read Part 4.

The 100 Greatest Elvis Presley Songs Of All Time (Part 2)

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In observance of Elvis Week and to honor the life of Elvis Presley, this is Part 2 of a countdown of his greatest songs. Read Part 1.

Don't Be Cruel (1957)

#75 Stranger In My Own Home Town (1969)
From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis

#74 Rubberneckin’ (1969)
Almost In Love
Other notable version: 2003 Remix (2nd To None)

#73 Bridge Over Troubled Water [Alternate Mix] (1970)
Heart & Soul
Other notable versions: 1970 Live (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition]), 1970 Live (The Wonder Of You), 1971 Live (Elvis As Recorded At Boston Garden)

#72 So High (1966)
How Great Thou Art

#71 My Babe [Live] (1969)
From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis
Other notable versions: 1969 Live (Today, Tomorrow & Forever), 1969 Live (Elvis Aron Presley)

#70 Runaway [Live] (1969)
Collectors Gold
Other notable versions: 1969 Live (On Stage [1999 Special Edition]), 1969 Live (Elvis: Viva Las Vegas [2007 Limited Edition])

#69 Separate Ways (1972)
Separate Ways
Other notable version: 1972 Rehearsal (Elvis On Tour: The Rehearsals)

#68 Bringing It Back (1975)
Today

#67 Early Morning Rain (1971)
Elvis Now
Other notable version: 1973 Re-recording (Mahalo From Elvis)

#66 Any Day Now (1969)
From Elvis In Memphis
Other notable versions: 1969 Take 2 (Memphis Sessions), 1972 Rehearsal (Stage Rehearsal)

#65 I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (1956)
Elvis’ Golden Records

#64 I’m Comin’ Home (1961)
Something For Everybody

#63 Little Sister [Rehearsal] (1970)
That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition]
Other notable versions: 1970 Live (Elvis Aron Presley), 1961 Master (Elvis’ Golden Records, Volume 3)

#62 Money Honey [Live] (1956)
A Golden Celebration
Other notable versions: 1956 Master (Elvis Presley), 1970 Rehearsal (A Life In Music)

#61 Guitar Man (1967)
Clambake
Other notable versions: 1967 Undubbed/Unedited Master (Elvis Sings Guitar Man), 1968 Re-recording (ELVIS-TV Special [Track 1]), 1968 Live (Burbank 68), 1967 Take 5 (Elvis Sings Guitar Man)

#60 Don’t Cry Daddy (1969)
Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits, Volume 1
Other notable versions: 1970 Live (Greatest Hits, Volume One), 1970 Live (Polk Salad Annie)

#59 Baby, I Don’t Care (1957)
A Date With Elvis

#58 Hound Dog [Live] (1956)
Young Man With The Big Beat [Disc 3, Track 22]
Other notable versions: 1956 Live (A Golden Celebration [Disc 2, Track 6]), 1956 Master (Elvis’ Golden Records), 1956 Live (The Legend Begins: Elvis Live), 1969 Live (Elvis At The International), 1969 Live (From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis)

#57 Don’t Be Cruel [Live] (1957)
A Golden Celebration
Other notable versions: 1956 Master (Elvis’ Golden Records), 1956 Live (Young Man With The Big Beat), 1956 Informal Recordings (The Million Dollar Quartet), 1968 Live (ELVIS-NBC TV Special), 1968 Live (Memories), 1956 Live (A Golden Celebration [Disc 3, Track 11], 1956 Live (A Golden Celebration [Disc 3, Track 16])

#56 I Was The One (1956)
For LP Fans Only
Other notable versions: 1956 Live (Young Man With The Big Beat [Disc 3, Track 15]), 1970 Live (Walk A Mile In My Shoes), 1970 Rehearsal (A Life In Music)

#55 I Feel So Bad (1961)
Elvis’ Golden Records, Volume 3

#54 I Want You With Me (1961)
Something For Everybody

#53 After Loving You (1969)
From Elvis In Memphis
Other notable versions: 1969 Take 2 (Suspicious Minds), 1969 Take 3 (Memphis Sessions)

#52 Wearin’ That Loved-On Look (1969)
From Elvis In Memphis
Other notable versions: 1969 Alternate Vocal Track (The Memphis Record), 1969 Take 10 (Memphis Sessions)

#51 In The Ghetto [Take 3] (1969)
A Life In Music
Other notable versions: 1969 Take 4 (From Nashville To Memphis), 1969 Take 11 (Memphis Sessions), 1969 Master (From Elvis In Memphis), 1969 Take 20 (Today, Tomorrow & Forever), 1969 Live (Live In Vegas)

To Be Continued . . .

Read Part 3.

The 100 Greatest Elvis Presley Songs Of All Time (Part 1)

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What'd I Say (1963)

This week marks 35 years since Elvis Presley died at the age of 42 in his Memphis home. Each year, many fans choose to use this anniversary not to dwell on his death but to celebrate his life.

Music was an important part of that life. In many ways, Elvis is still giving gifts to his fans all these years later through the music he left behind – whether we are listening to old favorites or hearing a new surprise for the first time.

In the spirit of Elvis Week and to honor the man and his music, I present a countdown of what I currently consider the 100 greatest Elvis songs. This is, of course, one fan’s opinion.

#100 It’s Still Here (1971)
Elvis [Fool]

#99 Thinking About You (1973)
Promised Land
Other notable versions: 1973 Take 3 (Made In Memphis), 1973 Rehearsal (Promised Land [2011 FTD Edition])

#98 You Asked Me To [Take 2B] (1973)
Rhythm & Country
Other notable version: 1973 Master (Promised Land)

#97 Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees (1971)
Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas
Other notable versions: 1971 Take 2 (Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas [2011 FTD Edition]), 1971 Take 8 (If Every Day Was Like Christmas)

#96 Clean Up Your Own Backyard [Undubbed Master] (1968)
Double Features: Live A Little, Love A Little/Charro/The Trouble With Girls/Change Of Habit
Other notable versions: 1980 Remix (Guitar Man), 1968 Master (Almost In Love)

#95 Moody Blue (1976)
Moody Blue

#94 For The Heart (1976)
From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee

#93 Don’t (1957)
50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong

#92 You’ll Be Gone [Take 2] (1962)
Elvis By The Presleys
Other notable version: 1962 Master (Girl Happy)

#91 Do You Know Who I Am (1969)
From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis

#90 A Fool Such As I (1958)
50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong
Other notable version: 1970 Rehearsal (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition])

#89 By And By (1966)
How Great Thou Art

#88 For Ol’ Times Sake (1973)
Raised On Rock

#87 I’ll Be Home For Christmas (1957)
Elvis’ Christmas Album

#86 Silent Night (1957)
Elvis’ Christmas Album

#85 Make The World Go Away (1970)
I’m 10,000 Years Old: Elvis Country
Other notable versions: 1970 Take 3 (Welcome To My World), 1970 Live (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition])

#84 Like A Baby (1960)
Elvis Is Back!
Other notable versions: 1960 Take 4 (Fame And Fortune), 1960 Take 2 (Collectors Gold)

#83 Pieces Of My Life (1975)
Today
Other notable version: 1975 Rough Session Mix (Today [2005 FTD Edition])

#82 Long Black Limousine (1969)
From Elvis In Memphis

#81 Indescribably Blue (1966)
Elvis’ Gold Records, Volume 4

#80 You Don’t Know Me (1967)
Clambake

#79 My Way (1971)
Walk A Mile In My Shoes
Other notable versions: 1977 Live (Elvis In Concert), 1972 Live (Elvis Summer Festival)

#78 Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues (1973)
Good Times
Other notable versions: 1973 Undubbed/Unedited Master (Good Times [2009 FTD Edition]), 1973 Take 7 (Good Times [2009 FTD Edition])

#77 It’s Midnight (1973)
Promised Land

#76 What’d I Say (1963)
Elvis’ Gold Records, Volume 4
Other notable version: 1970 Rehearsal (A Life In Music)

To Be Continued . . .

Read Part 2.

Down that lonely road

/ TY
Elvis Presley, 1935-1977

Elvis Presley: January 8, 1935—August 16, 1977

“Should you go first and I remain for battles to be fought, each thing you’ve touched along the way will be a hallowed spot. I’ll hear your voice, I’ll see your smile, though blindly I may grope. The memory of your helping hand will buoy me on with hope.” –From “Should You Go First” by Albert Roswell, Poems That Touch The Heart, compiled by A. L. Alexander, Doubleday, New York, 1941.

Pump up the volume: Elvis Week 2011 begins

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Elvis Week officially kicks off today in Memphis. Of course, Elvis Week really occurs all over the world – wherever there is an Elvis fan. Most of us take a little extra time to remember and enjoy the music.

If you’re fortunate enough to be in Memphis, I envy you, but also hope you have a fantastic time. Elvis Presley Enterprises and others put on a variety of events, so it always looks like there is something for everybody.

Perusing the schedule, one thing that I’d definitely attend if I was there is Saturday’s screening of the 2000 documentary Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock ‘n’ Roll, which was written and produced by none other than Elvis biographer Peter Guralnick. Guralnick, along with Knox Phillips (Sam’s oldest son), will speak after the film.

In honor of Elvis Week, the O.co (Overstock.com) entertainment blog yesterday featured a fun Elvis infographic. Check it out.

Have a great week, everyone. Remember to crank up the Elvis!

* * *

August 12, 2011, Update: Check out MJ’s fantastic post about visiting Graceland during Elvis Week 2007 on her blog.

Update #2: And here’s another one. This one is from the Elvis Today Blog with Thomas’ memories of Elvis Week 2005. The funny thing is, this was written shortly after Elvis Week 2007 – referenced in MJ’s post above.

August 18, 2011, Final Update: To bring things full circle, here are a couple of great blog posts from Memphis resident Deena Dietrich about Elvis Week 2011.

Long after this endless summer has gone

/ TY
Elvis, 1972

Elvis, 1972

“Most of all, I’d like to thank you. And I’d like to tell you, this is the last day of our tour, and we couldn’t have asked for a better audience. You’ve really made it worthwhile. […] If you want us back, just let us know, and we’ll come back.” –Elvis Presley, June 26, 1977, Indianapolis, Indiana, concluding his final concert