Music

Elvis Masters: The Ultimate Countdown – Part 4

/ TY / 2 Comments

This is Part 4 of a countdown of Elvis Presley’s 711 master recordings from worst to best.

Read Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

We continue our list with songs in the Above Average/Worth Listening category. This is one fan’s opinion.

#400 I Got A Feelin’ In My Body (1973)
Good Times

#399 Hard Luck (1965)
Frankie And Johnny

#398 Flaming Star (1960)
Singer Presents Elvis Singing Flaming Star And Others

#397 One Track Heart (1964)
Roustabout

#396 Angel (1961)
C’mon Everybody

#395 Old MacDonald (1966)
Double Trouble
Comment: I can’t help it – I think Elvis’ version of “Old MacDonald” is funny, so it winds up much higher on my list than one might expect. I have admitted my love for this song in the past.

#394 Long Tall Sally (1956)
Elvis

#393 Have A Happy (1969)
Let’s Be Friends

#392 Snowbird (1970)
Elvis Country: I’m 10,000 Years Old

#391 I’ll Be There (1969)
Let’s Be Friends

#390 Fever (Live-1973)
Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite

#389 Dixieland Rock (1958)
King Creole

#388 Where Do I Go From Here (1972)
Elvis (Fool)

#387 I Got A Woman (1956)
Elvis Presley

#386 Teddy Bear (1957)
Loving You
Comment: “Teddy Bear” is the lowest ranked of Elvis’ 18 Billboard #1 hits on my list.

#385 I’m Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs (1960)
His Hand In Mine

#384 Come What May (1966)
Love Letters (Single)

#383 Doncha’ Think It’s Time (1958)
Wear My Ring Around Your Neck (Single)

#382 Harbor Lights (1954)
A Legendary Performer, Volume 2

#381 Hawaiian Sunset (1961)
Blue Hawaii

#380 Island Of Love (1961)
Blue Hawaii

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

#378 Please Don’t Stop Loving Me (1965)
Frankie And Johnny

#377 Never Ending (1963)
Double Trouble

#376 Funny How Time Slips Away (Live-1972)
As Recorded At Madison Square Garden

#375 Never Been To Spain (Live-1972)
As Recorded At Madison Square Garden

#374 Judy (1961)
Something For Everybody

#373 Mr. Songman (1973)
Promised Land

#372 Goin’ Home (1968)
Speedway

#371 Don’t Leave Me Now (1957)
Loving You

#370 It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin’ (1969)
From Elvis In Memphis

#369 I’ll Hold You In My Heart (1969)
From Elvis In Memphis

#368 Ain’t That Loving You, Baby (1956)
Elvis’ Gold Records, Volume 4

#367 Party (1957)
Loving You

#366 Rip It Up (1956)
Elvis

#365 Ready Teddy (1956)
Elvis

#364 Tutti Frutti (1956)
Elvis Presley

#363 Devil In Disguise (1963)
Elvis’ Gold Records, Volume 4

#362 Where Could I Go But To The Lord (1966)
How Great Thou Art

#361 Can’t Help Falling In Love/Closing Riff (Live-1972)
As Recorded At Madison Square Garden

#360 I’m Counting On You (1956)
Elvis Presley

#359 If You Love Me (Live-1977)
Moody Blue

#358 Blue Hawaii (Remake-1973)
A Legendary Performer, Volume 2

#357 Just Call Me Lonesome (1967)
Clambake

#356 Your Cheatin’ Heart (1958)
Elvis For Everyone!
Comment: Elvis’ version of the Hank Williams classic “Your Cheatin’ Heart” represents the median of The Mystery Train Elvis Blog’s countdown of his masters. Half of Elvis’ master recordings are better than this song, and half of them are worse.

#355 Shoppin’ Around (1960)
G.I. Blues

#354 O Little Town Of Bethlehem (1957)
Elvis’ Christmas Album

#353 I Gotta Know (1960)
Elvis’ Golden Records, Volume 3

#352 Sweet Angeline (1973)
Raised On Rock

#351 Fame And Fortune (1960)
Elvis’ Golden Records, Volume 3

#350 Take My Hand, Precious Lord (1957)
Elvis’ Christmas Album

#349 Stuck On You (1960)
Elvis’ Golden Records, Volume 3

#348 Where Could I Go But To The Lord/Up Above My Head/I Found That Light/Saved (1968)
with The Blossoms
ELVIS-TV Special

#347 I Will Be Home Again (1960)
Elvis Is Back!

#346 Playing For Keeps (1956)
For LP Fans Only

#345 It Feels So Right (1960)
Elvis Is Back!

#344 I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago (1970)
Elvis Now

#343 Doin’ The Best I Can (1960)
G.I. Blues

#342 There’s A Honky Tonk Angel (1973)
Promised Land

#341 A Little Less Conversation (1968)
A Little Less Conversation (Single)

#340 I Can’t Stop Loving You (Live-1969)
From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis

#339 She’s Not You (1962)
Elvis’ Golden Records, Volume 3

#338 Thrill Of Your Love (1960)
Elvis Is Back!

#337 Put Your Hand In The Hand (1971)
Elvis Now

#336 Steamroller Blues (Live-1973)
Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite

#335 I’ll Never Fall In Love Again (1976)
From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee

#334 I Can’t Stop Loving You (Live-1973)
Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite

#333 Faded Love (1970)
Elvis Country: I’m 10,000 Years Old

#332 Love Me Tender (Live-1972)
As Recorded At Madison Square Garden

#331 Such A Night (1960)
Elvis Is Back!

#330 Good Luck Charm (1961)
Elvis’ Golden Records, Volume 3

#329 U.S. Male (1968)
Almost In Love

#328 Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (Informal-1971)
Elvis (Fool)

#327 My Little Friend (1969)
Almost In Love

#326 I Will Be True (1971)
Elvis (Fool)

#325 For The Good Times (Live-1972)
As Recorded At Madison Square Garden

#324 I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (Live-1973)
Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite

#323 My Way (Live-1973)
Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite

#322 Anything That’s Part Of You (1961)
Elvis’ Golden Records, Volume 3

#321 The Impossible Dream (Live-1972)
As Recorded At Madison Square Garden

#320 Dirty, Dirty Feeling (1960)
Elvis Is Back!

#319 Love Me Tender (1956)
Elvis’ Golden Records

#318 I Want To Be Free (1957)
A Date With Elvis

#317 Young And Beautiful (1957)
A Date With Elvis

#316 If Every Day Was Like Christmas (1966)
Elvis’ Christmas Album (1970 Edition)

#315 The Girl I Never Loved (1967)
Clambake

#314 Loving You (1957)
Loving You

#313 Surrender (1960)
Elvis’ Golden Records, Volume 3

#312 Stay Away, Joe (1967)
Let’s Be Friends

#311 Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962)
Girls! Girls! Girls!

#310 Marguerita (1963)
Fun In Acapulco

#309 Slicin’ Sand (1961)
Blue Hawaii

#308 We’re Coming In Loaded (1962)
Girls! Girls! Girls!

#307 Spinout (1966)
Spinout

#306 Drums Of The Islands (1965)
Paradise, Hawaiian Style

#305 G.I. Blues (1960)
G.I. Blues

#304 For Lovin’ Me (1971)
Elvis (Fool)

#303 Home Is Where The Heart Is (1961)
I Got Lucky

#302 It Hurts Me (1964)
Elvis’ Gold Records, Volume 4

#301 Too Much Monkey Business (1968)
Singer Presents Elvis Singing Flaming Star And Others

To Be Continued . . .

Elvis Presley in 1968 (MGM)

Elvis Presley in 1968 (MGM)

“And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”
Revelation 22:5

Elvis Masters: The Ultimate Countdown – Part 3

/ TY / 5 Comments

This is Part 3 of a countdown of Elvis Presley’s 711 master recordings from worst to best.

Read Part 1 | Part 2

Elvis Presley in Indianapolis, Indiana, just hours before what would prove to be his last concert, on June 26, 1977 (CBS)

Elvis Presley in Indianapolis, Indiana, just hours before what would prove to be his last concert, on June 26, 1977 (CBS)

And now, we continue our ranking – still in the Average/Mediocre category of songs. As always, this list is one fan’s opinion.

#500 Animal Instinct (1965)
Harum Scarum

#499 Could I Fall In Love (1966)
Double Trouble

#498 From A Jack To A King (1969)
From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis

#497 How Can You Lose What You Never Had (1967)
Clambake

#496 Talk About The Good Times (1973)
Good Times

#495 I Can Help (1975)
Today

#494 Down In The Alley (1966)
Spinout

#493 Old Shep (1956)
Elvis

#492 Love Me (Live-1972)
As Recorded At Madison Square Garden

#491 Love Me, Love The Life I Lead (1971)
Elvis (Fool)

#490 Gently (1961)
Something For Everybody

#489 I Met Her Today (1961)
Elvis For Everyone!

#488 There’s Always Me (1961)
Something For Everybody

#487 What’d I Say (1963)
Elvis’ Gold Records, Volume 4

#486 What A Wonderful Life (1961)
I Got Lucky

#485 You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (Live-1972)
As Recorded At Madison Square Garden

#484 All Shook Up (Live-1972)
As Recorded At Madison Square Garden

#483 Soldier Boy (1960)
Elvis Is Back!

#482 Aloha Oe (1961)
Blue Hawaii

#481 I Don’t Want To (1962)
Girls! Girls! Girls!

#480 A Thing Called Love (1971)
He Touched Me

#479 A Little Bit Of Green (1969)
From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis

#478 Rags To Riches (1970)
Rages To Riches (Single)

#477 T-R-O-U-B-L-E (1975)
Today

#476 New Orleans (1958)
King Creole

#475 It’s A Sin (1961)
Something For Everybody

#474 Got My Mojo Working/Keep Your Hands Off Of It (Informal-1970)
Love Letters From Elvis

#473 Heartbreak Hotel (Live-1972)
As Recorded At Madison Square Garden

#472 You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (Live-1972)
As Recorded At Madison Square Garden

#471 Raised On Rock (1973)
Raised On Rock

#470 Love Letters (Remake-1970)
Love Letters From Elvis

#469 It’s A Wonderful World (1964)
Roustabout

#468 Beginner’s Luck (1965)
Frankie And Johnny

#467 Wild In The Country (1960)
Worldwide Gold Award Hits, Volume 2

#466 Night Life (1963)
Singer Presents Elvis Singing Flaming Star And Others

#465 Guadalajara (1963)
Fun In Acapulco

#464 Kissin’ Cousins (1963)
Kissin’ Cousins

#463 The Wonderful World Of Christmas (1971)
Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas

#462 So Close, Yet So Far (1965)
Harum Scarum

#461 Memphis, Tennessee (1964)
Elvis For Everyone!

#460 Didja’ Ever (1960)
G.I. Blues

#459 The First Noel (1971)
Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas

#458 Until It’s Time For You To Go (1971)
Elvis Now

#457 Help Me Make It Through The Night (1971)
Elvis Now

#456 Something (Live-1973)
Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite

#455 Mexico (1963)
Fun In Acapulco

#454 C’mon Everybody (1963)
C’mon Everybody

#453 If You Think I Don’t Need You (1963)
I Got Lucky

#452 Blue Suede Shoes (Live-1973)
Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite

#451 Love Me (Live-1973)
Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite

#450 I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen (1971)
Elvis (Fool)

#449 The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (1971)
An American Trilogy (Single)

#448 I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here (1963)
Fun In Acapulco

#447 I Need Your Love Tonight (1958)
50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong: Elvis’ Gold Records – Volume 2

#446 Wear My Ring Around Your Neck (1958)
50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong: Elvis’ Gold Records – Volume 2

#445 Teddy Bear/Don’t Be Cruel (Live-1972)
As Recorded At Madison Square Garden

#444 Don’t Leave Me Now (Remake-1957)
Jailhouse Rock (EP)

#443 The Girl Next Door (1960)
Elvis Is Back!

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

#441 Big Boss Man (1967)
Clambake

#440 Blue Suede Shoes (Remake-1960)
G.I. Blues

#439 Blueberry Hill (1957)
Loving You

#438 It’s A Matter Of Time (1972)
Burning Love And Hits From His Movies, Volume 2

#437 The Girl Of My Best Friend (1960)
Elvis Is Back!

#436 I Believe In The Man In The Sky (1960)
His Hand In Mine

#435 Blueberry Hill/I Can’t Stop Loving You (Live-1974)
Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis

#434 Don’t Ask Me Why (1958)
King Creole

#433 They Remind Me Too Much Of You (1962)
It Happened At The World’s Fair

#432 Thanks To The Rolling Sea (1962)
Girls! Girls! Girls!

#431 Something Blue (1962)
Pot Luck With Elvis
Comment: With #431 and lower on today’s list, we now transition into the Above Average/Worth Listening category! As Elvis fans, we enjoy most of his work, but from here on out are songs I would have no problem playing for the general public.

#430 The Bullfighter Was A Lady (1963)
Fun In Acapulco

#429 Anyplace Is Paradise (1956)
Elvis

#428 Almost Always True (1961)
Blue Hawaii

#427 Five Sleepy Heads (1967)
Speedway

#426 Beach Boy Blues (1961)
Blue Hawaii

#425 Hound Dog (Live-1972)
As Recorded At Madison Square Garden

#424 Cross My Heart And Hope To Die (1964)
Girl Happy

#423 Without Love (1969)
From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis

#422 True Love Travels On A Gravel Road (1969)
From Elvis In Memphis

#421 In My Way (1960)
Elvis For Everyone!

#420 Forget Me Never (1960)
Elvis For Everyone!

#419 Fairytale (1975)
Today

#418 Love Me (Live-1974)
Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis

#417 Lonely Man (1960)
Elvis’ Gold Records, Volume 4

#416 Love Me Tonight (1963)
Fun In Acapulco

#415 Sentimental Me (1961)
Something For Everybody

#414 My Baby Left Me (Live-1974)
Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis

#413 Opening Riff/See See Rider (Live-1974)
Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis

#412 That’s Someone You Never Forget (1961)
Pot Luck With Elvis

#411 You’re A Heartbreaker (1954)
For LP Fans Only

#410 I Forgot To Remember To Forget (1955)
A Date With Elvis

#409 Am I Ready (1966)
Spinout

#408 I Got Lucky (1961)
I Got Lucky

#407 I’ll Never Let You Go (1954)
Elvis Presley

#406 Let’s Be Friends (1969)
Let’s Be Friends

#405 Almost (1968)
Let’s Be Friends

#404 Tender Feeling (1963)
Kissin’ Cousins

#403 On A Snowy Christmas Night (1971)
Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas

#402 Take Good Care Of Her (1973)
Good Times

#401 Little Darlin’ (Live-1977)
Moody Blue

To Be Continued . . .

“What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”
Luke 12:6-7

July 19 Represents a Beginning and an End for Elvis Presley

/ TY / 2 Comments

Portions of this post were first published on one of my pop-culture blogs, now retired.

July 19, 1954

The date is July 19, 1954, and Sun releases the debut record of 19-year-old Elvis Presley. Produced by Sam Phillips, the single consists of “That’s All Right” backed with “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” Elvis, who in childhood dreamed of being “the hero of the comic book,” begins his adventure.

The years come and go. In many ways, Elvis accomplishes far more than he could have possibly dreamed, including becoming a musical hero throughout the world. As they do for everyone, though, some of his dreams still manage to slip away from him.

The date is July 19, 1977, and RCA releases Moody Blue, an album that proves to be the final Elvis record before his death exactly four weeks later at the age of 42. An unprecedented level of fame helped Elvis place himself on a path that brought his earthly journey to a tragic end.

Only 23 years, a mere blink of history’s eye, separate the release of the last Elvis record from the first.

More time passes. Other heroes come and go, yet Elvis somehow remains. As some fans fade away, others take their places.

The date is now July 19, 2022, but those 23 years continue to resonate.

Journey with The Mystery Train Elvis Blog today to the beginning and the end with two editions of Vinyl Elvis:

July 19, 1977

“Sing to the LORD, for he has done wonderful things. Make known his praise around the world.”
Isaiah 12:5

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

2021 Songs of the Year

/ TY / 2 Comments

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

Elvis: The Ultimate Live Top Ten Hits (Part 4)

/ TY / 3 Comments

This is the finale of a four post series covering Elvis Presley’s best officially-released live recording of each of his US top ten hits.

[Read Part 3]

Released as a 2-LP set in 1987, The Top Ten Hits contained all 38 of Elvis’ top 10 hits on Billboard‘s key US charts. Other than a few outliers that failed to make the top 10 and are not on the set (“Blue Suede Shoes,” “Blue Christmas,” “Viva Las Vegas,” “My Way,” and “A Little Less Conversation”), it includes all of his most famous songs for the general public. Indeed, outside of boxed sets, The Top Ten Hits remains one of the most comprehensive Elvis releases to date when it comes to mainstream songs.

Today’s post will feature hits included on Side D of The Top Ten Hits, most of which were studio recordings on the original album.

01. Return To Sender (hit version recorded 1962)
Ultimate Live Version: August 1, 1976, Hampton Roads, VA, New Haven ’76
Per request, Elvis performs “Return To Sender” off the top of his head at a concert in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Included as a bonus track on New Haven ’76, this is the only officially released live version of the song. Considering it was recorded in 1976, the nadir of Elvis concert years, it actually isn’t horrible.

02. Devil In Disguise (hit version recorded 1963)
Ultimate Live Version: None available
It is unfortunate that Elvis never performed live in the mid-1960s. This song would surely have resulted in a classic rendition at that time.

03. Bossa Nova Baby (hit version recorded 1963)
Ultimate Live Version: None available
A medley of “Return To Sender” and “Bossa Nova Baby” might have been fun in his 1969 live shows to acknowledge a couple of hit songs from his 1960s movies.

04. Crying In The Chapel (hit version recorded 1960)
Ultimate Live Version: None available
Voice-wise, 1968 probably would have been the best time for Elvis to have performed “Crying In The Chapel” live. I don’t see where it would really fit in any of his four shows captured for the ELVIS special, though. August 1970 probably would have been a good vocal opportunity for it, too. I would love to hear the Blossoms or the Sweet Inspirations backing Elvis on this instead of the Jordanaires.

Elvis Presley performs “The Wonder Of You” at the August 13, 1970, Dinner Show, in Las Vegas, Nevada, captured for the ELVIS: THAT’S THE WAY IT IS documentary film (MGM)

05. In The Ghetto (hit version recorded 1969)
Ultimate Live Version: August 26, 1969, Dinner Show, Las Vegas, NV, From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis [Elvis In Person]
Elvis’ live versions of “In The Ghetto” never quite lived up to the studio versions. While he usually performed it strongly, he never seems as “into” the song. A stripped-down version, with just Elvis and an acoustic guitar would have been ideal.

06. Suspicious Minds (hit version recorded 1969)
Ultimate Live Version: August 25, 1969, Midnight Show, Hot August Night
An apparent mistake is actually what gives this live version of “Suspicious Minds” an edge over other stellar versions recorded in the same concert series. After James Burton’s opening guitar solo, Elvis fails to begin singing, so Burton continues the solo. Overall, this live version is even better than the studio master.

07. Don’t Cry Daddy (hit version recorded 1969)
Ultimate Live Version: February 18, 1970, Dinner Show, Las Vegas, NV, Greatest Hits, Volume One
While I love “Don’t Cry Daddy,” it does not work as well in a live concert setting, and I can understand why Elvis dropped it by 1971. That said, this live version is top-notch.

08. The Wonder Of You (hit version recorded live, February 18, 1970, Midnight Show, Las Vegas, NV, On Stage)
Ultimate Live Version (after hit recorded):
August 13, 1970, Dinner Show, Las Vegas, NV, The Way It Was
I have found that time behaves inconsistently in certain situations and for certain people. Elvis’ entire career, for instance, was compressed into about 21 years, yet he left a wealth of material behind that continues to forge his musical legacy. Elvis released his February 1970 live version of “The Wonder Of You” as a single in April 1970, and it peaked at number nine on June 27, 1970. Less than two months later, during one of the concerts captured for the MGM documentary movie Elvis: That’s The Way It Is, he introduces this August 1970 live recording by stating, “I had a record out last year that–-this year . . . this year, wasn’t it?–-that did pretty good for me. I’d like to sing it for you.” In this case, two to four months in “Elvis time” was like a year in normal time.

09. Burning Love (hit version recorded 1972)
Ultimate Live Version: April 18, 1972, San Antonio, TX, Close Up
Featured in the documentary movie Elvis On Tour (MGM, 1972), this rockin’ version of “Burning Love” exceeds any other live renditions released thus far. The March 1972 studio master remains the best, however.

Well, that about wraps things up for our look at Elvis’ best officially released live recordings of his hit songs. Over 43 years after his death, Elvis Presley concert recordings continue to surface. With that in mind, we may have to check in on these live hits again in a few years.

Thanks for reading.

Your Conductor,
TY

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”
John 14:1