Lifetime Masters
Lifetime Alternates
Variations From Sony’s Lifetime Masters
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Lifetime Masters

Ask five different fans what they consider to be Elvis Presley’s master recordings released during his lifetime and you may get five different answers. For reference purposes here on The Mystery Train Blog, below are the 710 recordings that I consider to be Elvis’ lifetime masters. These are presented in recording order.

1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958
1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969
1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977

1. Harbor Lights [1954]
2. I Love You Because
3. That’s All Right
4. Blue Moon Of Kentucky
5. Blue Moon
6. Tomorrow Night
7. I’ll Never Let You Go
8. I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine
9. Just Because
10. Good Rockin’ Tonight
11. Milkcow Blues Boogie
12. You’re A Heartbreaker
13. Baby, Let’s Play House [1955]
14. I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone
15. I Forgot To Remember To Forget
16. Mystery Train
17. Tryin’ To Get To You
18. I Got A Woman [1956]
19. Heartbreak Hotel
20. Money Honey
21. I’m Counting On You
22. I Was The One
23. Blue Suede Shoes
24. My Baby Left Me
25. One-Sided Love Affair
26. So Glad You’re Mine
27. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry
28. Tutti Frutti
29. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
30. Shake, Rattle & Roll
31. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
32. Hound Dog
33. Don’t Be Cruel
34. Any Way You Want Me
35. We’re Gonna Move
36. Love Me Tender
37. Poor Boy
38. Let Me
39. Playing For Keeps
40. Love Me
41. How Do You Think I Feel
42. How’s The World Treating You
43. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
44. Long Tall Sally
45. Old Shep
46. Paralyzed
47. Too Much
48. Anyplace Is Paradise
49. Ready Teddy
50. First In Line
51. Rip It Up
52. I Believe [1957]
53. Tell Me Why
54. Got A Lot O’ Livin’ To Do
55. All Shook Up
56. Mean Woman Blues
57. Peace In The Valley
58. That’s When Your Heartaches Begin
59. Take My Hand, Precious Lord
60. Party
61. Lonesome Cowboy
62. Teddy Bear
63. Hot Dog
64. It Is No Secret
65. Blueberry Hill
66. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
67. Is It So Strange
68. Don’t Leave Me Now
69. I Beg Of You
70. One Night
71. True Love
72. I Need You So
73. Loving You
74. When It Rains, It Really Pours
75. Jailhouse Rock
76. Young and Beautiful
77. I Want To Be Free
78. Don’t Leave Me Now (Remake)
79. Baby, I Don’t Care
80. Treat Me Nice
81. Blue Christmas
82. My Wish Came True
83. White Christmas
84. Here Comes Santa Claus
85. Silent Night
86. Don’t
87. O Little Town of Bethlehem
88. Santa Bring My Baby Back
89. Santa Claus Is Back In Town
90. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
91. Hard Headed Woman [1958]
92. Trouble
93. New Orleans
94. Crawfish
95. Dixieland Rock
96. Lover Doll
97. Don’t Ask Me Why
98. As Long As I Have You
99. King Creole
100. Young Dreams
101. Steadfast, Loyal And True
102. Doncha’ Think It’s Time
103. Your Cheatin’ Heart
104. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
105. I Need Your Love Tonight
106. A Big Hunk O’ Love
107. Ain’t That Loving You, Baby
108. A Fool Such As I
109. I Got Stung
110. Make Me Know It [1960]
111. Soldier Boy
112. Stuck On You
113. Fame And Fortune
114. A Mess Of Blues
115. It Feels So Right
116. Fever
117. Like A Baby
118. It’s Now Or Never
119. The Girl Of My Best Friend
120. Dirty, Dirty Feeling
121. Thrill Of Your Love
122. I Gotta Know
123. Such A Night
124. Are You Lonesome Tonight
125. The Girl Next Door
126. I Will Be Home Again
127. Reconsider Baby
128. Didja’ Ever
129. Doin’ The Best I Can
130. G.I. Blues
131. Tonight Is So Right For Love
132. What’s She Really Like
133. Blue Suede Shoes (Remake)
134. Wooden Heart
135. Shoppin’ Around
136. Pocketful Of Rainbows
137. Frankfort Special
138. Tonight’s All Right For Love
139. Big Boots
140. Summer Kisses, Winter Tears
141. A Cane And A High Starched Collar
142. Flaming Star
143. Milky White Way
144. His Hand In Mine
145. I Believe In The Man In The Sky
146. He Knows Just What I Need
147. Surrender
148. Mansion Over The Hilltop
149. In My Father’s House
150. Joshua Fit The Battle
151. Swing Down, Sweet Chariot
152. I’m Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs
153. If We Never Meet Again
154. Known Only To Him
155. Crying In The Chapel
156. Working On The Building
157. Lonely Man
158. In My Way
159. Wild In The Country
160. Forget Me Never
161. I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell
162. I’m Comin’ Home [1961]
163. Gently
164. In Your Arms
165. Give Me The Right
166. I Feel So Bad
167. It’s A Sin
168. I Want You With Me
169. There’s Always Me
170. Starting Today
171. Sentimental Me
172. Judy
173. Put The Blame On Me
174. Hawaiian Sunset
175. Aloha Oe
176. Ku-u-i-po
177. No More
178. Slicin’ Sand
179. Blue Hawaii
180. Ito Eats
181. Hawaiian Wedding Song
182. Island Of Love
183. Steppin’ Out Of Line
184. Almost Always True
185. Moonlight Swim
186. Can’t Help Falling In Love
187. Beach Boy Blues
188. Rock-A-Hula Baby
189. Kiss Me Quick
190. That’s Someone You Never Forget
191. I’m Yours
192. His Latest Flame
193. Little Sister
194. Angel
195. Follow That Dream
196. What A Wonderful Life
197. I’m Not The Marrying Kind
198. Sound Advice
199. For The Millionth And The Last Time
200. Good Luck Charm
201. Anything That’s Part Of You
202. I Met Her Today
203. Night Rider
204. A Whistling Tune
205. Home Is Where The Heart Is
206. Riding The Rainbow
207. I Got Lucky
208. This Is Living
209. King Of The Whole Wide World
210. Something Blue [1962]
211. Gonna Get Back Home Somehow
212. Easy Question
213. Fountain Of Love
214. Just For Old Time Sake
215. You’ll Be Gone
216. I Feel That I’ve Known You Forever
217. Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello
218. Suspicion
219. She’s Not You
220. I Don’t Want To
221. We’re Coming In Loaded
222. Thanks To The Rolling Sea
223. Where Do You Come From
224. Girls! Girls! Girls!
225. Return To Sender
226. Because Of Love
227. The Walls Have Ears
228. Song Of The Shrimp
229. A Boy Like Me, A Girl Like You
230. Mama
231. Earth Boy
232. I Don’t Wanna Be Tied
233. We’ll Be Together
234. Happy Ending
235. Relax
236. I’m Falling In Love Tonight
237. They Remind Me Too Much Of You
238. Cotton Candy Land
239. A World Of Our Own
240. How Would You Like To Be
241. One Broken Heart For Sale
242. Beyond The Bend
243. Take Me To The Fair
244. Bossa Nova Baby [1963]
245. I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here
246. Mexico
247. The Bullfighter Was A Lady
248. Marguerita
249. Vino, Dinero Y Amor
250. No Room To Rhumba In A Sports Car
251. Fun In Acapulco
252. El Toro
253. You Can’t Say No In Acapulco
254. Guadalajara
255. Echoes Of Love
256. Please Don’t Drag That String Around
257. Devil In Disguise
258. Never Ending
259. What Now, What Next, Where To
260. Witchcraft
261. Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers
262. Love Me Tonight
263. Long, Lonely Highway
264. Western Union
265. Slowly But Surely
266. Blue River
267. Night Life
268. C’mon Everybody
269. If You Think I Don’t Need You
270. I Need Somebody To Lean On
271. Do The Vega
272. Viva Las Vegas
273. The Yellow Rose Of Texas/The Eyes Of Texas
274. Today, Tomorrow And Forever
275. Santa Lucia
276. What’d I Say
277. Once Is Enough
278. Catchin’ On Fast
279. Anyone
280. Smokey Mountain Boy
281. There’s Gold In The Mountains
282. One Boy, Two Little Girls
283. Kissin’ Cousins
284. Barefoot Ballad
285. Kissin’ Cousins (No. 2)
286. Tender Feeling
287. Memphis, Tennessee [1964]
288. Ask Me
289. It Hurts Me
290. Little Egypt
291. Poison Ivy League
292. Hard Knocks
293. It’s A Wonderful World
294. Big Love, Big Heartache
295. One Track Heart
296. It’s Carnival Time
297. Carny Town
298. There’s A Brand New Day On The Horizon
299. Wheels On My Heels
300. Roustabout
301. Puppet On A String
302. The Meanest Girl In Town
303. Girl Happy
304. Cross My Heart And Hope To Die
305. Spring Fever
306. Do Not Disturb
307. I’ve Got To Find My Baby
308. Fort Lauderdale Chamber Of Commerce
309. Startin’ Tonight
310. Do The Clam
311. Wolf Call
312. Shake That Tambourine [1965]
313. So Close, Yet So Far
314. My Desert Serenade
315. Wisdom Of The Ages
316. Kismet
317. Hey Little Girl
318. Golden Coins
319. Animal Instinct
320. Harem Holiday
321. Go East, Young Man
322. Mirage
323. Come Along
324. Beginner’s Luck
325. Down By The Riverside/When The Saints Go Marching In
326. Please Don’t Stop Loving Me
327. Shout It Out
328. What Every Woman Lives For
329. Hard Luck
330. Petunia, The Gardener’s Daughter
331. Look Out, Broadway
332. Everybody Come Aboard
333. Chesay
334. Frankie And Johnny
335. Drums Of The Islands
336. Datin’
337. Scratch My Back
338. Stop Where You Are
339. A Dog’s Life
340. This Is My Heaven
341. Paradise, Hawaiian Style
342. House Of Sand
343. Queenie Wahine’s Papaya
344. Sand Castles
345. Smorgasbord [1966]
346. Stop, Look And Listen
347. Am I Ready
348. Beach Shack
349. Never Say Yes
350. Spinout
351. All That I Am
352. Adam And Evil
353. I’ll Be Back
354. Run On
355. How Great Thou Art
356. Stand By Me
357. Where No One Stands Alone
358. Down In The Alley
359. Tomorrow Is A Long Time
360. Love Letters
361. So High
362. Farther Along
363. By And By
364. In The Garden
365. Somebody Bigger Than You And I
366. Without Him
367. If The Lord Wasn’t Walking By My Side
368. Where Could I Go But To The Lord
369. Come What May (Alternate)
370. Fools Fall In Love
371. Indescribably Blue
372. I’ll Remember You
373. If Every Day Was Like Christmas
374. City By Night
375. Could I Fall In Love
376. There Is So Much World To See
377. Double Trouble
378. Baby, If You’ll Give Me All Of Your Love
379. I Love Only One Girl
380. It Won’t Be Long
381. Old MacDonald
382. Long Legged Girl
383. Easy Come, Easy Go
384. I’ll Take Love
385. Sing You Children
386. She’s A Machine
387. The Love Machine
388. Yoga Is As Yoga Does
389. You Gotta Stop
390. The Girl I Never Loved [1967]
391. How Can You Lose What You Never Had
392. You Don’t Know Me
393. A House That Has Everything
394. Who Needs Money
395. C-O-N-F-I-D-ence
396. Hey, Hey, Hey
397. Clambake
398. There Ain’t Nothing Like A Song
399. Your Time Hasn’t Come Yet, Baby
400. Five Sleepy Heads
401. Who Are You
402. Speedway
403. Suppose
404. Let Yourself Go
405. He’s Your Uncle, Not Your Dad
406. Guitar Man
407. Big Boss Man
408. Mine
409. Just Call Me Lonesome
410. High Heel Sneakers
411. We Call On Him
412. You’ll Never Walk Alone
413. Singing Tree
414. Stay Away, Joe
415. All I Needed Was The Rain
416. Too Much Monkey Business [1968]
417. Goin’ Home
418. Stay Away
419. US Male
420. Wonderful World
421. Edge Of Reality
422. A Little Less Conversation
423. Almost In Love
424. Nothingville/Big Boss Man/Guitar Man/Little Egypt/Trouble/Guitar Man
425. Where Could I Go But To The Lord/Up Above My Head/Saved
426. Trouble/Guitar Man
427. If I Can Dream
428. Memories
429. Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Live)
430. One Night (Live)
431. Are You Lonesome Tonight (Live)
432. Blue Suede Shoes (Live)
433. Love Me (Live)
434. Tryin’ To Get To You (Live)
435. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Live)
436. Blue Christmas (Live)
437. Tiger Man (Live)
438. Heartbreak Hotel/Hound Dog/All Shook Up (Live)
439. Can’t Help Falling In Love (Live)
440. Jailhouse Rock (Live)
441. Love Me Tender (Live)
442. Let’s Forget About The Stars
443. Charro
444. Clean Up Your Own Backyard
445. Almost
446. Long Black Limousine [1969]
447. This Is The Story
448. Wearin’ That Loved On Look
449. You’ll Think Of Me
450. I’m Movin’ On
451. A Little Bit Of Green
452. Gentle On My Mind
453. Don’t Cry Daddy
454. Inherit The Wind
455. Mama Liked The Roses
456. My Little Friend
457. In The Ghetto
458. Rubberneckin’
459. Hey Jude
460. From A Jack To A King
461. Without Love
462. I’ll Hold You In My Heart
463. I’ll Be There
464. Suspicious Minds
465. Stranger In My Own Home Town
466. True Love Travels On A Gravel Road
467. And The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind
468. Power Of My Love
469. After Loving You
470. Do You Know Who I Am
471. Kentucky Rain
472. Only The Strong Survive
473. It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin’
474. Any Day Now
475. If I’m A Fool
476. The Fair Is Moving On
477. Who Am I
478. Change Of Habit
479. Let’s Be Friends
480. Let Us Pray
481. Have A Happy
482. Johnny B. Goode (Live)
483. Are You Lonesome Tonight (Live)
484. Runaway (Live)
485. Yesterday (Live)
486. In The Ghetto (Live)
487. Opening Riff/Blue Suede Shoes (Live)
488. All Shook Up (Live)
489. Hound Dog (Live)
490. I Can’t Stop Loving You (Live)
491. My Babe (Live)
492. Mystery Train/Tiger Man (Live)
493. Words (Live)
494. Suspicious Minds (Live)
495. Can’t Help Falling In Love (Live)
496. Proud Mary (Live) [1970]
497. Sweet Caroline (Live)
498. Let It Be Me (Live)
499. The Wonder Of You (Live)
500. Release Me (Live)
501. See See Rider (Live)
502. Polk Salad Annie (Live)
503. In The Ghetto (Live)
504. Twenty Days And Twenty Nights
505. I’ve Lost You
506. I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago
507. The Sound Of Your Cry
508. The Fool
509. Little Cabin Home On The Hill
510. Cindy, Cindy
511. Bridge Over Troubled Water
512. Got My Mojo Working/Keep Your Hands Off Of It (Informal)
513. How The Web Was Woven
514. It’s Your Baby, You Rock It
515. Stranger In The Crowd
516. I’ll Never Know
517. Mary In The Morning
518. It Ain’t No Big Thing
519. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me
520. Just Pretend
521. This Is Our Dance
522. Life
523. Heart Of Rome
524. When I’m Over You
525. I Really Don’t Want To Know
526. Faded Love
527. Tomorrow Never Comes
528. The Next Step Is Love
529. Make The World Go Away
530. Funny How Time Slips Away
531. I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water
532. Love Letters (Remake)
533. There Goes My Everything
534. If I Were You
535. Only Believe
536. Sylvia
537. Patch It Up
538. I’ve Lost You (Live)
539. I Just Can’t Help Believin’ (Live)
540. Patch It Up (Live)
541. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (Live)
542. Snowbird
543. Where Did They Go, Lord
544. Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On
545. Rags To Riches
546. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face [1971]
547. Amazing Grace
548. Early Morning Rain
549. For Lovin’ Me
550. Miracle Of The Rosary
551. It Won’t Seem Like Christmas
552. If I Get Home On Christmas Day
553. Padre
554. Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees
555. Merry Christmas Baby
556. Silver Bells
557. I’ll Be Home On Christmas Day
558. On A Snowy Christmas Night
559. Winter Wonderland
560. O Come All Ye Faithful
561. The First Noel
562. The Wonderful World of Christmas
563. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (Informal)
564. Help Me Make It Through The Night
565. Until It’s Time For You To Go
566. Lead Me, Guide Me
567. Fools Rush In
568. He Touched Me
569. I’ve Got Confidence
570. An Evening Prayer
571. Seeing Is Believing
572. A Thing Called Love
573. It’s Still Here
574. I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen
575. I Will Be True
576. I’m Leavin’
577. We Can Make The Morning
578. It’s Only Love
579. Love Me, Love The Life I Lead
580. Put Your Hand In The Hand
581. Reach Out To Jesus
582. He Is My Everything
583. There Is No God But God
584. I, John
585. Bosom Of Abraham
586. It’s Impossible (Live) [1972]
587. An American Trilogy (Live)
588. Separate Ways
589. Where Do I Go From Here
590. Burning Love
591. Fool
592. Always On My Mind
593. It’s A Matter Of Time
594. Also Sprach Zarathustra/Opening Riff/That’s All Right (Live)
595. Proud Mary (Live)
596. Never Been To Spain (Live)
597. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (Live)
598. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (Live)
599. Polk Salad Annie (Live)
600. Love Me (Live)
601. All Shook Up (Live)
602. Heartbreak Hotel (Live)
603. Teddy Bear/Don’t Be Cruel (Live)
604. Love Me Tender (Live)
605. The Impossible Dream (Live)
606. Introductions By Elvis (Live)
607. Hound Dog (Live)
608. Suspicious Minds (Live)
609. For The Good Times (Live)
610. An American Trilogy (Live)
611. Funny How Time Slips Away (Live)
612. I Can’t Stop Loving You (Live)
613. Can’t Help Falling In Love/Closing Riff (Live)
614. Also Sprach Zarathustra/Opening Riff/See See Rider (Live) [1973]
615. Burning Love (Live)
616. Something (Live)
617. You Gave Me A Mountain (Live)
618. Steamroller Blues (Live)
619. My Way (Live)
620. Love Me (Live)
621. Johnny B. Goode (Live)
622. It’s Over (Live)
623. Blue Suede Shoes (Live)
624. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (Live)
625. I Can’t Stop Loving You (Live)
626. Hound Dog (Live)
627. What Now My Love (Live)
628. Fever (Live)
629. Welcome To My World (Live)
630. Suspicious Minds (Live)
631. Introductions By Elvis (Live)
632. I’ll Remember You (Live)
633. Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On (Live)
634. An American Trilogy (Live)
635. A Big Hunk O’ Love (Live)
636. Can’t Help Falling In Love/Closing Riff (Live)
637. Blue Hawaii (Remake)
638. If You Don’t Come Back
639. Three Corn Patches
640. Take Good Care Of Her
641. Find Out What’s Happening
642. I’ve Got A Thing About You, Baby
643. Just A Little Bit
644. Raised On Rock
645. For Ol’ Times Sake
646. Girl Of Mine
647. Sweet Angeline
648. I Miss You
649. Are You Sincere
650. I Got A Feelin’ In My Body
651. It’s Midnight
652. You Asked Me To
653. If You Talk In Your Sleep
654. Mr. Songman
655. Thinking About You
656. Love Song Of The Year
657. Help Me
658. My Boy
659. Lovin’ Arms
660. Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues
661. Talk About The Good Times
662. Promised Land
663. Your Love’s Been A Long Time Coming
664. There’s A Honky Tonk Angel
665. If That Isn’t Love
666. Spanish Eyes
667. She Wears My Ring
668. Opening Riff/See See Rider (Live) [1974]
669. I Got A Woman/Amen (Live)
670. Love Me (Live)
671. Tryin’ To Get To You (Live)
672. Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On/Mama Don’t Dance/Flip, Flop & Fly/Jailhouse Rock/Hound Dog (Live)
673. Why Me (Live)
674. How Great Thou Art (Live)
675. Blueberry Hill/I Can’t Stop Loving You (Live)
676. Help Me (Live)
677. An American Trilogy (Live)
678. Let Me Be There (Live)
679. My Baby Left Me (Live)
680. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Live)
681. Can’t Help Falling In Love/Closing Riff (Live)
682. Fairytale [1975]
683. Green, Green Grass Of Home
684. I Can Help
685. And I Love You So
686. Susan When She Tried
687. T-R-O-U-B-L-E
688. Woman Without Love
689. Shake A Hand
690. Bringing It Back
691. Pieces Of My Life
692. Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall [1976]
693. She Thinks I Still Care
694. The Last Farewell
695. Solitaire
696. Moody Blue
697. I’ll Never Fall In Love Again
698. For The Heart
699. Hurt
700. Danny Boy
701. Never Again
702. Love Coming Down
703. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain
704. It’s Easy For You
705. Way Down
706. Pledging My Love
707. He’ll Have To Go
708. If You Love Me (Live) [1977]
709. Little Darlin’ (Live)
710. Unchained Melody (Live)

Lifetime Alternates

While thousands of alternate and live variants have been released since Elvis’ death, only a few were officially released in his lifetime. In addition to the above masters, below are the other Elvis recordings released in his lifetime.

• I Love You Because (Alternate) [1954]
• I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (Alternate) [1956]
• Lover Doll (LP Version) [1958]
• Doncha’ Think It’s Time (LP Version)
• Such A Night (Alternates) [1960]
• A Cane And A High Starched Collar (Alternate)
• I’m Yours (Single Version) [1961]
• Long, Lonely Highway (Single Version) [1963]
• Stay Away, Joe (Alternate) [1967]
• A Little Less Conversation (LP Version) [1968]
• Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Live–Burbank, June 27, 6 PM, Version 3)
• Make The World Go Away (Alternate) [1970]
• I Can’t Stop Loving You (Live–New York, June 10, Afternoon) [1972]

Variations From Sony’s Lifetime Masters

My Elvis lifetime masters list differs from Sony’s current view of 711 lifetime master recordings, as itemized on Franklin Mint’s Elvis: The Complete Masters Collection. Here are the differences and my explanations.

• Lover Doll (LP Version) [1958]: I consider this an alternate, with the master being the previously released EP version without the overdubbed Jordanaires. Sony includes both in its 711 count for the Franklin Mint set. However, Sony’s more recent The Complete Elvis Presley Masters set relegates this take to one of its “Rarities” discs, rather than having it appear on a “Masters” disc proper.
• Doncha Think It’s Time (LP Version): I consider this an alternate, with the master being the previously released single version. Sony includes both in its 711 count for the Franklin Mint set. The Complete Elvis Presley Masters set places this take on a “Rarities” disc, however.
• I’m Yours (Single Version) [1961]: I consider this an alternate, with the master being the previously released LP version with overdubs. Sony includes both in its 711 count for the Franklin Mint set. The Complete Elvis Presley Masters set places this take on a “Rarities” disc, however.
• Lawdy, Miss Clawdy/Baby, What You Want Me To Do/Heartbreak Hotel/Hound Dog/All Shook Up/Can’t Help Falling In Love/Jailhouse Rock/Love Me Tender (Live) [1968]: Sony identifies this as a single medley track, while I consider them six tracks. The only true medley here is “Heartbreak Hotel/Hound Dog/All Shook Up.” The others are clearly separate.
• Blue Christmas/One Night (Live): Sony identifies this as a single medley track, while I split these separate songs into two tracks.
• Are You Lonesome Tonight (Live): While Sony does not consider it a master, I include this 1968 track since it was released during Elvis’ lifetime.
• Blue Suede Shoes (Live): While Sony does not consider it a master, I include this 1968 track since it was released during Elvis’ lifetime.
• Love Me (Live): While Sony does not consider it a master, I include this 1968 track since it was released during Elvis’ lifetime.
• Tryin’ To Get To You (Live): While Sony does not consider it a master, I include this 1968 track since it was released during Elvis’ lifetime.
• Also Sprach Zarathustra (Live) [1972]: Sony considers this a separate track, but I include it along with “Opening Riff” and “That’s All Right” since they are performed without interruption. Besides, Elvis does not perform on “Also Sprach Zarathustra.”
• Closing Vamp (Live): Sony considers this a separate track, but I include it along with “Can’t Help Falling In Love” since they are performed without interruption. Elvis does not perform on “Closing Vamp.” The 1972 and beyond opening and closing riffs are actually just “See See Rider.” Oddly, Sony counts “Closing Vamp” as a separate track for As Recorded At Madison Square Garden and Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis, but not for Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite.
• Also Sprach Zarathustra (Live) [1973]: Sony considers this a separate track, but I include it with “Opening Riff” and “See See Rider” since they are performed without interruption. Elvis does not perform on “Also Sprach Zarathustra.”
• Ku-U-I-Po (Remake): Though Sony counts it, I leave this one out because it was not released during Elvis’ lifetime.
• No More (Remake): Though Sony counts it, I leave this one out because it was not released during Elvis’ lifetime.
• Hawaiian Wedding Song (Remake): Though Sony counts it, I leave this one out because it was not released during Elvis’ lifetime.
• Early Mornin’ Rain (Remake): Though Sony counts it, I leave this one out because it was not released during Elvis’ lifetime.
• Closing Vamp (Live) [1974]: Sony considers this a separate track, but I include it with “Can’t Help Falling In Love” since they are performed without interruption. Elvis does not perform on “Closing Vamp.”

Additional Notes

• My first reaction was that it was a real stretch for Sony to include “Introductions By Elvis” from As Recorded At Madison Square Garden and Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite as masters. However, after further thought, I decided to place them on my list as well. Both tracks include backing music (“Comin’ Home Baby”) and Elvis’ voice as he introduces his band members. It certainly makes more sense than including “Also Sprach Zarathustra” or “Closing Vamp” as separate Elvis masters, anyway.
• Since there is no backing music, I did not include tracks for officially released “talking albums only” Elvis Sails and Having Fun With Elvis On Stage, nor any interview snippets from the A Legendary Performer series and similar releases.
• I certainly do not consider my list the “final word” on this subject. It is simply a reference point for me, but I will also consider revising it whenever there are compelling reasons (see Updates below).

Research Sources

• Elvis Presley: A Life In Music – The Complete Recording Sessions by Ernst Jorgensen, St. Martin’s Press, New York, 1998.
• Elvis: The Complete Masters Collection promotional site, Franklin Mint/Sony, 2010.
• The Complete Elvis Presley Masters promotional site, Sony, 2010.
• “Complete Masters compared/contrasted with Franklin Mint” by ElvisSessions, For Elvis CD Collectors Forum, 2010.
• Elvis – Recording Data/Session Notes by Oven Egeland, Elvis In Norway, 2010.

Updates

• December 14, 2010: Corrected sequencing of lifetime masters 194-203. Core list was originally based on Sony’s The Complete Elvis Presley Masters. However, that segment of the set was not in order. Souce: “Re: The Complete Masters” by FMCSIMMONS, For Elvis CD Collectors Forum, 2010. I will be re-checking the order of the entire list against Jorgensen’s A Life In Music soon to find any other discrepancies.