You’re traveling through an amazing land of imagination . . . the edge of reality.

As the train rumbles along, you make your way into the dining car and enter a new world. Your breath catches. You are in a 1950s restaurant that is much larger than any train car could ever be. Before you can ponder this further, a hostess seats you at a booth that says “Reserved – Conductor & Guests.”

Soft music begins to play from a large and colorful jukebox that helps illuminate a dance floor. You can’t quite figure out the tune, perhaps something from Star Wars? But who would play Star Wars music in a 1950s diner?

At that moment, I slide into the seat in front of you. “I’m TY, your conductor. Welcome to the Mystery Train Diner. I hope you’re hungry.” I produce a menu from nowhere and hand it to you.

You glance down the food list, which features cheeseburgers, old-fashioned milkshakes, crinkle fries, pizza, and even lasagna. Today’s special is somehow your all-time favorite food.

“Have whatever you want. It’s on me. But you’re not really here for the food, are you?”

You shake your head no. You entered the dining car because you thought you heard a song coming from here. A song from your childhood. Something by Elvis.

“It always comes back to Elvis, doesn’t it?” I ask. I point towards the jukebox. The incidental music stops and you hear a familiar voice.

Elvis: “I’d like to talk to you . . . about how I got in this business and when–a lot of things that happened from my side of the story. There’s a lot’s come out about what happened but never from my side.”^A

As you listen to his words, you look around the restaurant. You don’t even feel the motions of the train anymore. You realize this isn’t really a 1950s diner, as you see decorations representing multiple decades. Above the conductor’s table is a large portrait of Elvis backstage in 1970, decked out in blue and wearing his aviator-style sunglasses.

“I filled that jukebox with a lot of my favorite music, including 200 Elvis songs,” I explain. “When I sequenced the Elvis songs, I realized they did a wonderful job of telling the story of his career. I call it, The Elvis Odyssey.”

Though you never ordered, your food arrives. Exactly what you want.

“So, enjoy yourself here at the Conductor’s table,” I tell you. “Or if you prefer the ice-cream counter, there’s still an open stool over there. Make yourself comfortable as I punch up the songs.”

You tell me to turn the jukebox way up high.

I nod and crank the sound as I say, “As all the best stories do, we’ll join the legend of Elvis Presley already in progress.”¹

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The Elvis Odyssey

Part I: A New Summit

Rejuvenated by his recent television special, Elvis Presley returns home to Memphis to record there for the first time in over a decade. Though he never truly left, the city has changed, and so has he. . . .

Listen along on Spotify.²

#1 Stranger In My Own Home Town³ (1969)
From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis (Back In Memphis)
Memphis, TN

#2 Power Of My Love (1969)
From Elvis In Memphis
Memphis, TN

#3 Only The Strong Survive (1969)
From Elvis In Memphis
Memphis, TN

#4 Any Day Now (1969)
In The Ghetto (Single)
Memphis, TN

#5 Suspicious Minds (1969)
Suspicious Minds (Single)
Memphis, TN

“Suspicious Minds” is a song Elvis believes in enough to fight for. His instinct is right. It becomes his first number one hit since 1962 and his eighteenth chart topper overall.

#6 Long Black Limousine (1969)
From Elvis In Memphis
Memphis, TN

#7 Wearin’ That Loved-On Look (1969)
From Elvis In Memphis
Memphis, TN

#8 After Loving You (1969)
From Elvis In Memphis
Memphis, TN

#9 Rubberneckin’ (1969)
Don’t Cry Daddy (Single)
Memphis, TN

Elvis ends up using “Rubberneckin'” in his movie Change of Habit, his final film as an actor.

It’s fun watching him jam to the song, and it’s a great little film as Elvis movies go.

#10 Don’t Cry Daddy (1969)
Don’t Cry Daddy (Single)
Memphis, TN

#11 In The Ghetto (1969)
In The Ghetto (Single)
Memphis, TN

The first single released from these sessions is “In The Ghetto,” which makes it to number three–scoring Elvis his first top ten hit since 1965. Songwriter Mac Davis also penned “Don’t Cry Daddy,” which made it to number six after the overwhelming success of “Suspicious Minds.”

Elvis: “‘Ghetto’ was such a great song. I just couldn’t pass it up after I heard it.”^B

#12 Kentucky Rain (1969)
Kentucky Rain (Single)
Memphis, TN

#13 Do You Know Who I Am (1969)
From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis (Back In Memphis)
Memphis, TN

This quiet song wraps up the Memphis sessions perfectly for me.

From “Do You Know Who I Am”: “Do you know who I am, have you any idea who I am?”

If you don’t know, these sessions are the answer.

#14 Clean Up Your Own Backyard⁴ (Alternate-1968)
Double Features: Live A Little, Love A Little/Charro/The Trouble With Girls/Change Of Habit
Hollywood, CA [undubbed master]

#15 Change Of Habit (1969)
Let’s Be Friends
Hollywood, CA

I love the bass line on “Change Of Habit.” Though recorded after the Memphis sessions, it fits in quite well with “Rubberneckin'”. “Change Of Habit” does not have as much depth as “If I Can Dream” or “In The Ghetto” when it comes to social awareness, but it at least tries to say something.

#16 Let Us Pray (Alternate-1969)
Today, Tomorrow & Forever
Hollywood, CA Vocal Overdub Take 8 [rejected master]

Also from Change Of Habit, I love “Let Us Pray,” especially this alternate version that features Elvis singing the opening lick before the song begins and letting out a whew after the song ends.

His last movie in the can if not yet on screens, Elvis moves on to Las Vegas for his first public concerts since 1961. He performs 57 shows at the newly opened International Hotel from July 31 to August 28. RCA arrives during the last week and records 11 of the shows.

Elvis: “I missed the closeness of an audience, of a live audience, so just as soon as I got out of the movie contracts, I started to do live performances again.”^C

#17 Mystery Train⁵/Tiger Man (Live-1969)
ELVIS LIVE 1969: International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
August 25 Midnight Show, Las Vegas, NV [master, alternate mix]

#18 My Babe (Live-1969)
Hot August Night: The Complete Midnight Show, August 25, 1969
August 25 Midnight Show, Las Vegas, NV [master, alternate mix]

Elvis: “It’s really great to be back working again.”^D

The summer 1969 stint is so successful that the International invites Elvis back for a multi-year deal, and he returns for a winter 1970 engagement. Vegas is usually empty during January and February, but not when Elvis comes to town. RCA arrives mid-engagement to record another live album.

#19 Polk Salad Annie (Live-1970)
On Stage: February 1970
February 18 Midnight Show, Las Vegas, NV

#20 See See Rider (Live-1970)
Today, Tomorrow & Forever
February 19 Dinner Show, Las Vegas, NV

#21 Runaway (Live-1969)
ELVIS LIVE 1969: International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
August 23 Midnight Show, Las Vegas, NV [alternate mix]

#22 Are You Lonesome Tonight (Live-1969)
ELVIS LIVE 1969: International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
August 24 Midnight Show, Las Vegas, NV [master, alternate mix]

#23 Suspicious Minds (Live-1969)
ELVIS LIVE 1969: International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
August 25 Midnight Show, Las Vegas, NV [alternate mix]

The hit single of “Suspicious Minds” is a fine record, but the live version takes it to another level. This particular performance is probably my favorite due to an apparently flubbed opening that results in a longer than usual guitar intro by James Burton which only makes the song better.

#24 The Wonder Of You (Live-1970)
The Wonder Of You (Single)
February 18 Midnight Show, Las Vegas, NV

RCA releases this version of “The Wonder Of You” as a single, and Elvis scores another top ten hit. At the same concert, Elvis introduces one of his musical influences.

Elvis: “A guy that was a kind of an inspiration to me when I started out in the business, and he’s got, I don’t know how many gold records he’s got, man, 19 or 20 at least. I’d like you to say hello to Fats Domino.”^E

Elvis has proven himself in Memphis. He has proven himself in Las Vegas. Now, he returns to Nashville for what turns out to be a marathon recording session that will produce two of his best albums.

#25 Stranger In The Crowd (Alternate-1970)
That’s The Way It Is (2008 FTD Edition)
Nashville, TN Take 9 [unedited master, rough mix]

I still can’t figure out why “Stranger In The Crowd” wasn’t a single. Instead, it’s one of a number of hidden gems on the That’s The Way It Is album.

Elvis’ next single after The Wonder Of You/Mama Liked The Roses is I’ve Lost You/The Next Step Is Love.

As much as I love “I’ve Lost You,” perhaps it should have been a B-side to “Stranger In The Crowd.” Instead, the chart momentum, if not the creative momentum, begins to slow here.

#26 The Next Step Is Love (Alternate-1970)
From Elvis In Nashville
Nashville, TN Take 11 [undubbed master]

#27 How The Web Was Woven (1970)
That’s The Way It Is
Nashville, TN

#28 I Just Can’t Help Believin’ (Live-1970)
That’s The Way It Is (2014 Deluxe Edition)
August 12 Dinner Show, Las Vegas, NV

#29 Bridge Over Troubled Water (Alternate-1970)
Heart & Soul
Nashville, TN Take 8 Master [alternate mix]

#30 Patch It Up (1970)
You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (Single)
Nashville, TN

#31 Twenty Days And Twenty Nights (1970)
That’s The Way It Is
Nashville, TN

#32 Just Pretend (1970)
That’s The Way It Is
Nashville, TN

Elvis’ next single is You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me/Patch It Up.

“Just Pretend,” another incredible song left only as an album track, would have been a far better pairing with “Patch It Up” as a single.

#33 I’ve Lost You (Alternate-1970)
Heart & Soul
Nashville, TN Take 7 [unedited master, alternate mix]

#34 You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (Alternate-1970)
From Elvis In Nashville
Nashville, TN Take 3 [undubbed master]

#35 You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (Live-1970)
That’s The Way It Is (2014 Deluxe Edition)
August 12 Midnight Show, Las Vegas, NV [unedited master; alternate mix]

Elvis’ powerhouse version of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” runs over six minutes here due to a two-minute reprise that is left off of the original That’s The Way It Is album. While that is the right decision for 1970, it sure is a fun listen now.

During that Nashville session, in the middle of recording contemporary songs, Elvis begins playing around with some country songs, with the end result being an entire album dedicated to his interpretation of that genre.

#36 I Really Don’t Want To Know (Alternate-1970)
Walk A Mile In My Shoes
Nashville, TN [master, alternate mix]

#37 I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago (Alternate-1970)
From Elvis In Nashville
Nashville, TN Take 1 [undubbed/unedited master]

#38 Make The World Go Away (Alternate-1970)
Walk A Mile In My Shoes
Nashville, TN [master, alternate mix]

#39 Tomorrow Never Comes (Alternate-1970)
Walk A Mile In My Shoes
Nashville, TN [master, alternate mix]

“Tomorrow Never Comes” is one of the best Elvis songs that no one has ever heard of.

#40 Funny How Time Slips Away (Alternate-1970)
Walk A Mile In My Shoes
Nashville, TN [master, alternate mix]

In July, MGM camera crews filming a documentary begin following Elvis as he prepares for his third concert series at the International Hotel.

#41 Little Sister/Get Back (Rehearsal-1970)
That’s The Way It Is (2020 Collector’s Edition)
July 29 Hollywood, CA [alternate mix]

In August, RCA is releasing the first Elvis LP boxed set, Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits: Vol. 1. During rehearsals captured for the documentary movie, which will eventually be titled Elvis: That’s The Way It Is, Elvis is looking at what is most likely a listing of the 50 songs included on this set–resulting in a number of off-the-cuff performances of his classic hits.

A tune that Elvis and the band puts a little more effort into is “Little Sister” in a version that manages somehow to transcend even the original.

#42 I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water (Rehearsal-1970)
That’s The Way It Is (2020 Collector’s Edition)
July 29 Hollywood, CA [alternate mix]

#43 Oh Happy Day (Rehearsal-1970)
That’s The Way It Is (2020 Collector’s Edition)
August 7 Las Vegas, NV [alternate mix]

#44 Men With Broken Hearts⁶/Walk A Mile In My Shoes⁷ (Live-1970)
That’s The Way It Is (2014 Deluxe Edition)
August 11 Midnight Show, Las Vegas, NV [alternate mix]

Elvis: “There was a guy who said one time, he said, ‘You never stood in that man’s shoes or saw things through his eyes. Or stood and watched with helpless hands while the heart inside you dies. So, help your brother along the way, no matter where he starts. For the same God that made you, made him, too–these men with broken hearts.’ I’d like to sing a song along the same line: ‘Walk A Mile.'”^F

In conjunction with the MGM documentary, RCA records the first six shows of the summer engagement. A few of the songs will wind up on the That’s The Way It Is album, while the rest are left in the vaults.

#45 Words (Live-1970)
That’s The Way It Is (2014 Deluxe Edition)
August 10 Opening Show, Las Vegas, NV [alternate mix]

#46 Don’t Be Cruel (Live-1970)
That’s The Way It Is (2014 Deluxe Edition)
August 11 Midnight Show, Las Vegas, NV [alternate mix]

#47 I Was The One (Live-1970)
That’s The Way It Is (2014 Deluxe Edition)
August 12 Midnight Show, Las Vegas, NV [alternate mix]

During the August 12 Midnight Show, with the documentary cameras still rolling, Elvis takes a seat and plugs in his electric guitar. After fiddling with the controls, he begins to run through a few of his classics.

He starts with the “Little Sister/Get Back” medley, excluded here only to make room for the longer rehearsal version that we played earlier, and then moves into “I Was The One.”

Elvis doesn’t know all of the lyrics to “I Was The One,” but it doesn’t matter. He’s having fun and so are we.

#48 Love Me (Live-1970)
That’s The Way It Is (2014 Deluxe Edition)
August 12 Midnight Show, Las Vegas, NV [alternate mix]

Still on the electric guitar, Elvis quickly moves into a bluesy rendition of “Love Me.” He ends this section of the show with “Are You Lonesome Tonight” before putting away his guitar for the grand finale: “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Suspicious Minds,” and “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” closing what may well have been the greatest concert of his career.

Elvis: “I just do whatever I feel on stage. I always did that.”^G

Elvis Presley will return in The Elvis Odyssey Part II: Endless Twilight.

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Assorted Rambles

¹Credit to the great George Lucas for giving me this idea. He literally started the Star Wars saga in the middle of the story, finished it, then went back and told the beginning.↩︎

Since childhood, one of my many dreams has been to own a restaurant. Don’t get me wrong, I’m neither a chef nor someone who knows how to run a business. And I’m not likely to become either anytime soon.

Though it’s not a dream I’d actually pursue, I have fun thinking about the kind of place some alternate-universe version of me might open. At the center of this idea, probably the entire impetus behind it, really, is a jukebox. See? That proves I’m not a chef. I think about the music first, not the food.

When I started thinking about what Elvis songs I’d make available on this jukebox, I realized that, in reality, most jukeboxes focused on singles, but I didn’t want to limit myself to those.

Instead, I selected 200 Elvis songs from across his career that would be available for patrons to play. I’d probably include about 200 songs from other artists as well, but as this is primarily an Elvis blog, we’ll focus on the Elvis selections.↩︎

²The playlist I created on Spotify is not an exact duplicate of the intended playlist due to multiple compromises around track availability, splitting of tracks, extraneous content (Elvis introducing the next song at the tail end of a live track rather than at the start of the track it actually belongs, a pet peeve of mine; exacerbated in this playlist due to the next song being something different).↩︎

³Long-time fans will no doubt recognize that the sequencing of the opening twelve tracks is adapted from The Memphis Record (1987), the best compiled and sequenced release of the American Sound material ever and possibly the best sequenced Elvis release period. Credit to Gregg Geller and his team for an album that was formulative in my young fanhood.↩︎

⁴While actually recorded after the ELVIS special and before the Memphis sessions, I think “Clean Up Your Own Backyard,” from The Trouble With Girls, fits well here with the Change Of Habit songs. I know some fans want everything chronological, but I want to tell the story in the most effective way possible. Unfortunately, Spotify did not have the undubbed version of this song.↩︎

⁵I named this blog The Mystery Train because Elvis delivered stellar versions of “Mystery Train” in all three decades of his career: 1955, 1969, and 1970.↩︎

⁶In 1992, I was a 17-year-old kid who had loved Elvis all his life. On June 24 of that year, there were two momentous Elvis releases–an expensive 5-CD set containing all of his 1950s recordings and a VHS tape containing an hour of outtakes from Elvis: That’s The Way It Is (1970) and Elvis On Tour (1972). The CD set was financially out of the question for me at that time, but I was able to rent the VHS tape from Blockbuster Video on the day of release. Elvis: The Lost Performances began with this moment, which features Elvis quoting from what was later discovered to be an obscure Hank Williams, Sr., song that the country legend recorded under the name of “Luke the Drifter.” I acknowledge that two of my last three infrequent posts to this blog have included some form of this quote. It actually wasn’t intentional, but the sentiment means a lot to me. So, now, it is three of the last four posts.
↩︎

⁷I’m aware that this is not Elvis’ best version of “Walk A Mile In My Shoes,” but it’s the one that Elvis sang after that perfect intro, so it stays.↩︎

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Sources for Elvis Quotes

^AAugust 24, 1969, Dinner Show, Las Vegas, NV↩︎

^BJuly 31, 1969, Press Conference, Las Vegas, NV↩︎

^CJune 9, 1972, Press Conference, New York, NY↩︎

^DAugust 24, 1969, Dinner Show, Las Vegas, NV↩︎

^EFebruary 18, 1970, Midnight Show, Las Vegas, NV↩︎

^FAugust 11, 1970, Midnight Show, Las Vegas, NV↩︎

^GFebruary 27, 1970, Press Conference, Houston, TX↩︎

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“I will sing to the LORD as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath!”
Psalm 104:33