Lifetime Masters
Lifetime Alternates
Variations From Sony’s Lifetime Masters
Additional Notes
Research Sources
Updates

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, below are the 711 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. I’ll Never Let You Go
7. I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine
8. Just Because
9. Good Rockin’ Tonight
10. Milkcow Blues Boogie
11. You’re A Heartbreaker
12. Baby, Let’s Play House [1955]
13. I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone
14. I Forgot To Remember To Forget
15. Mystery Train
16. Tryin’ To Get To You
17. I Got A Woman [1956]
18. Heartbreak Hotel
19. Money Honey
20. I’m Counting On You
21. I Was The One
22. Blue Suede Shoes
23. My Baby Left Me
24. One-Sided Love Affair
25. So Glad You’re Mine
26. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry
27. Tutti Frutti
28. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
29. Shake, Rattle & Roll
30. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
31. Hound Dog
32. Don’t Be Cruel
33. Any Way You Want Me
34. We’re Gonna Move
35. Love Me Tender
36. Poor Boy
37. Let Me
38. Playing For Keeps
39. Love Me
40. How Do You Think I Feel
41. How’s The World Treating You
42. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
43. Long Tall Sally
44. Old Shep
45. Paralyzed
46. Too Much
47. Anyplace Is Paradise
48. Ready Teddy
49. First In Line
50. Rip It Up
51. I Believe [1957]
52. Tell Me Why
53. Got A Lot O’ Livin’ To Do
54. All Shook Up
55. Mean Woman Blues
56. Peace In The Valley
57. That’s When Your Heartaches Begin
58. Take My Hand, Precious Lord
59. Party
60. Lonesome Cowboy
61. Teddy Bear
62. Hot Dog
63. It Is No Secret
64. Blueberry Hill
65. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
66. Is It So Strange
67. Don’t Leave Me Now
68. I Beg Of You
69. One Night
70. True Love
71. I Need You So
72. Loving You
73. When It Rains, It Really Pours
74. Jailhouse Rock
75. Young and Beautiful
76. I Want To Be Free
77. Don’t Leave Me Now (Remake)
78. Baby, I Don’t Care
79. Treat Me Nice
80. Blue Christmas
81. My Wish Came True
82. White Christmas
83. Here Comes Santa Claus
84. Silent Night
85. Don’t
86. O Little Town of Bethlehem
87. Santa Bring My Baby Back
88. Santa Claus Is Back In Town
89. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
90. Hard Headed Woman [1958]
91. Trouble
92. New Orleans
93. Crawfish
94. Dixieland Rock
95. Lover Doll
96. Don’t Ask Me Why
97. As Long As I Have You
98. King Creole
99. Young Dreams
100. Steadfast, Loyal And True
101. Doncha’ Think It’s Time
102. Your Cheatin’ Heart
103. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
104. I Need Your Love Tonight
105. A Big Hunk O’ Love
106. Ain’t That Loving You, Baby
107. A Fool Such As I
108. I Got Stung
109. Make Me Know It [1960]
110. Soldier Boy
111. Stuck On You
112. Fame And Fortune
113. A Mess Of Blues
114. It Feels So Right
115. Fever
116. Like A Baby
117. It’s Now Or Never
118. The Girl Of My Best Friend
119. Dirty, Dirty Feeling
120. Thrill Of Your Love
121. I Gotta Know
122. Such A Night
123. Are You Lonesome Tonight
124. The Girl Next Door
125. I Will Be Home Again
126. Reconsider Baby
127. Didja’ Ever
128. Doin’ The Best I Can
129. G.I. Blues
130. Tonight Is So Right For Love
131. What’s She Really Like
132. Blue Suede Shoes (Remake)
133. Wooden Heart
134. Shoppin’ Around
135. Pocketful Of Rainbows
136. Frankfort Special
137. Tonight’s All Right For Love
138. Big Boots
139. Summer Kisses, Winter Tears
140. A Cane And A High Starched Collar
141. Flaming Star
142. Milky White Way
143. His Hand In Mine
144. I Believe In The Man In The Sky
145. He Knows Just What I Need
146. Surrender
147. Mansion Over The Hilltop
148. In My Father’s House
149. Joshua Fit The Battle
150. Swing Down, Sweet Chariot
151. I’m Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs
152. If We Never Meet Again
153. Known Only To Him
154. Crying In The Chapel
155. Working On The Building
156. Lonely Man
157. In My Way
158. Wild In The Country
159. Forget Me Never
160. I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell
161. I’m Comin’ Home [1961]
162. Gently
163. In Your Arms
164. Give Me The Right
165. I Feel So Bad
166. It’s A Sin
167. I Want You With Me
168. There’s Always Me
169. Starting Today
170. Sentimental Me
171. Judy
172. Put The Blame On Me
173. Hawaiian Sunset
174. Aloha Oe
175. Ku-u-i-po
176. No More
177. Slicin’ Sand
178. Blue Hawaii
179. Ito Eats
180. Hawaiian Wedding Song
181. Island Of Love
182. Steppin’ Out Of Line
183. Almost Always True
184. Moonlight Swim
185. Can’t Help Falling In Love
186. Beach Boy Blues
187. Rock-A-Hula Baby
188. Kiss Me Quick
189. That’s Someone You Never Forget
190. I’m Yours
191. His Latest Flame
192. Little Sister
193. Angel
194. Follow That Dream
195. What A Wonderful Life
196. I’m Not The Marrying Kind
197. Sound Advice
198. For The Millionth And The Last Time
199. Good Luck Charm
200. Anything That’s Part Of You
201. I Met Her Today
202. Night Rider
203. A Whistling Tune
204. Home Is Where The Heart Is
205. Riding The Rainbow
206. I Got Lucky
207. This Is Living
208. King Of The Whole Wide World
209. Something Blue [1962]
210. Gonna Get Back Home Somehow
211. Easy Question
212. Fountain Of Love
213. Just For Old Time Sake
214. You’ll Be Gone
215. I Feel That I’ve Known You Forever
216. Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello
217. Suspicion
218. She’s Not You
219. I Don’t Want To
220. We’re Coming In Loaded
221. Thanks To The Rolling Sea
222. Where Do You Come From
223. Girls! Girls! Girls!
224. Return To Sender
225. Because Of Love
226. The Walls Have Ears
227. Song Of The Shrimp
228. A Boy Like Me, A Girl Like You
229. Mama
230. Earth Boy
231. I Don’t Wanna Be Tied
232. We’ll Be Together
233. Happy Ending
234. Relax
235. I’m Falling In Love Tonight
236. They Remind Me Too Much Of You
237. Cotton Candy Land
238. A World Of Our Own
239. How Would You Like To Be
240. One Broken Heart For Sale
241. Beyond The Bend
242. Take Me To The Fair
243. Bossa Nova Baby [1963]
244. I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here
245. Mexico
246. The Bullfighter Was A Lady
247. Marguerita
248. Vino, Dinero Y Amor
249. No Room To Rhumba In A Sports Car
250. Fun In Acapulco
251. El Toro
252. You Can’t Say No In Acapulco
253. Guadalajara
254. Echoes Of Love
255. Please Don’t Drag That String Around
256. Devil In Disguise
257. Never Ending
258. What Now, What Next, Where To
259. Witchcraft
260. Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers
261. Love Me Tonight
262. Long, Lonely Highway
263. Western Union
264. Slowly But Surely
265. Blue River
266. Night Life
267. C’mon Everybody
268. If You Think I Don’t Need You
269. I Need Somebody To Lean On
270. Do The Vega
271. Viva Las Vegas
272. The Yellow Rose Of Texas/The Eyes Of Texas
273. Today, Tomorrow And Forever
274. Santa Lucia
275. What’d I Say
276. Once Is Enough
277. Catchin’ On Fast
278. Anyone
279. Smokey Mountain Boy
280. There’s Gold In The Mountains
281. One Boy, Two Little Girls
282. Kissin’ Cousins
283. Barefoot Ballad
284. Kissin’ Cousins (No. 2)
285. Tender Feeling
286. Memphis, Tennessee [1964]
287. Ask Me
288. It Hurts Me
289. Little Egypt
290. Poison Ivy League
291. Hard Knocks
292. It’s A Wonderful World
293. Big Love, Big Heartache
294. One Track Heart
295. It’s Carnival Time
296. Carny Town
297. There’s A Brand New Day On The Horizon
298. Wheels On My Heels
299. Roustabout
300. Puppet On A String
301. The Meanest Girl In Town
302. Girl Happy
303. Cross My Heart And Hope To Die
304. Spring Fever
305. Do Not Disturb
306. I’ve Got To Find My Baby
307. Fort Lauderdale Chamber Of Commerce
308. Startin’ Tonight
309. Do The Clam
310. Wolf Call
311. Shake That Tambourine [1965]
312. So Close, Yet So Far
313. My Desert Serenade
314. Wisdom Of The Ages
315. Kismet
316. Hey Little Girl
317. Golden Coins
318. Animal Instinct
319. Harem Holiday
320. Go East, Young Man
321. Mirage
322. Tomorrow Night (Overdubbed Version)
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
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
425. Guitar Man/Little Egypt/Trouble/Guitar Man
426. Where Could I Go But To The Lord/Up Above My Head/Saved
427. Trouble/Guitar Man
428. If I Can Dream
429. Memories
430. Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Live)
431. No Strap/One Night (Live)
432. Are You Lonesome Tonight (Live)
433. Blue Suede Shoes (Live)
434. Love Me (Live)
435. Tryin’ To Get To You (Live)
436. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Live)
437. Blue Christmas (Live)
438. Tiger Man (Live)
439. Heartbreak Hotel/Hound Dog/All Shook Up (Live)
440. Can’t Help Falling In Love (Live)
441. Jailhouse Rock (Live)
442. Love Me Tender (Live)
443. Let’s Forget About The Stars
444. Charro
445. Clean Up Your Own Backyard
446. Almost
447. Long Black Limousine [1969]
448. This Is The Story
449. Wearin’ That Loved On Look
450. You’ll Think Of Me
451. I’m Movin’ On
452. A Little Bit Of Green
453. Gentle On My Mind
454. Don’t Cry Daddy
455. Inherit The Wind
456. Mama Liked The Roses
457. My Little Friend
458. In The Ghetto
459. Rubberneckin’
460. Hey Jude
461. From A Jack To A King
462. Without Love
463. I’ll Hold You In My Heart
464. I’ll Be There
465. Suspicious Minds
466. Stranger In My Own Home Town
467. True Love Travels On A Gravel Road
468. And The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind
469. Power Of My Love
470. After Loving You
471. Do You Know Who I Am
472. Kentucky Rain
473. Only The Strong Survive
474. It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin’
475. Any Day Now
476. If I’m A Fool
477. The Fair Is Moving On
478. Who Am I
479. Change Of Habit
480. Let’s Be Friends
481. Let Us Pray
482. Have A Happy
483. Johnny B. Goode (Live)
484. Are You Lonesome Tonight (Live)
485. Runaway (Live)
486. Yesterday (Live)
487. In The Ghetto (Live)
488. Opening Riff/Blue Suede Shoes (Live)
489. All Shook Up (Live)
490. Hound Dog (Live)
491. I Can’t Stop Loving You (Live)
492. My Babe (Live)
493. Mystery Train/Tiger Man (Live)
494. Words (Live)
495. Suspicious Minds (Live)
496. Can’t Help Falling In Love (Live)
497. Proud Mary (Live) [1970]
498. Sweet Caroline (Live)
499. Let It Be Me (Live)
500. The Wonder Of You (Live)
501. Release Me (Live)
502. See See Rider (Live)
503. Polk Salad Annie (Live)
504. Walk A Mile In My Shoes (Live)
505. Twenty Days And Twenty Nights
506. I’ve Lost You
507. I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago
508. The Sound Of Your Cry
509. The Fool
510. Little Cabin Home On The Hill
511. Cindy, Cindy
512. Bridge Over Troubled Water
513. Got My Mojo Working/Keep Your Hands Off Of It (Informal)
514. How The Web Was Woven
515. It’s Your Baby, You Rock It
516. Stranger In The Crowd
517. I’ll Never Know
518. Mary In The Morning
519. It Ain’t No Big Thing
520. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me
521. Just Pretend
522. This Is Our Dance
523. Life
524. Heart Of Rome
525. When I’m Over You
526. I Really Don’t Want To Know
527. Faded Love
528. Tomorrow Never Comes
529. The Next Step Is Love
530. Make The World Go Away
531. Funny How Time Slips Away
532. I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water
533. Love Letters (Remake)
534. There Goes My Everything
535. If I Were You
536. Only Believe
537. Sylvia
538. Patch It Up
539. I’ve Lost You (Live)
540. I Just Can’t Help Believin’ (Live)
541. Patch It Up (Live)
542. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (Live)
543. Snowbird
544. Where Did They Go, Lord
545. Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On
546. Rags To Riches
547. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face [1971]
548. Amazing Grace
549. Early Morning Rain
550. For Lovin’ Me
551. Miracle Of The Rosary
552. It Won’t Seem Like Christmas
553. If I Get Home On Christmas Day
554. Padre
555. Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees
556. Merry Christmas Baby
557. Silver Bells
558. I’ll Be Home On Christmas Day
559. On A Snowy Christmas Night
560. Winter Wonderland
561. O Come All Ye Faithful
562. The First Noel
563. The Wonderful World of Christmas
564. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (Informal)
565. Help Me Make It Through The Night
566. Until It’s Time For You To Go
567. Lead Me, Guide Me
568. Fools Rush In
569. He Touched Me
570. I’ve Got Confidence
571. An Evening Prayer
572. Seeing Is Believing
573. A Thing Called Love
574. It’s Still Here
575. I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen
576. I Will Be True
577. I’m Leavin’
578. We Can Make The Morning
579. It’s Only Love
580. Love Me, Love The Life I Lead
581. Put Your Hand In The Hand
582. Reach Out To Jesus
583. He Is My Everything
584. There Is No God But God
585. I, John
586. Bosom Of Abraham
587. It’s Impossible (Live) [1972]
588. An American Trilogy: Dixie/Battle Hymn Of The Republic/All My Trials (Live)
589. Separate Ways
590. Where Do I Go From Here
591. Burning Love
592. Fool
593. Always On My Mind
594. It’s A Matter Of Time
595. Also Sprach Zarathustra/Opening Riff/That’s All Right (Live)
596. Proud Mary (Live)
597. Never Been To Spain (Live)
598. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (Live)
599. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (Live)
600. Polk Salad Annie (Live)
601. Love Me (Live)
602. All Shook Up (Live)
603. Heartbreak Hotel (Live)
604. Teddy Bear/Don’t Be Cruel (Live)
605. Love Me Tender (Live)
606. The Impossible Dream (Live)
607. Comin’ Home, Baby/Introductions By Elvis (Live)
608. Hound Dog (Live)
609. Suspicious Minds (Live)
610. For The Good Times (Live)
611. An American Trilogy: Dixie/Battle Hymn Of The Republic/All My Trials (Live)
612. Funny How Time Slips Away (Live)
613. I Can’t Stop Loving You (Live)
614. Can’t Help Falling In Love/Closing Riff (Live)
615. Also Sprach Zarathustra/Opening Riff/See See Rider (Live) [1973]
616. Burning Love (Live)
617. Something (Live)
618. You Gave Me A Mountain (Live)
619. Steamroller Blues (Live)
620. My Way (Live)
621. Love Me (Live)
622. Johnny B. Goode (Live)
623. It’s Over (Live)
624. Blue Suede Shoes (Live)
625. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (Live)
626. I Can’t Stop Loving You (Live)
627. Hound Dog (Live)
628. What Now My Love (Live)
629. Fever (Live)
630. Welcome To My World (Live)
631. Suspicious Minds (Live)
632. Comin’ Home, Baby/Introductions By Elvis (Live)
633. I’ll Remember You (Live)
634. Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On (Live)
635. An American Trilogy: Dixie/Battle Hymn Of The Republic/All My Trials (Live)
636. A Big Hunk O’ Love (Live)
637. Can’t Help Falling In Love/Closing Riff (Live)
638. Blue Hawaii (Remake)
639. If You Don’t Come Back
640. Three Corn Patches
641. Take Good Care Of Her
642. Find Out What’s Happening
643. I’ve Got A Thing About You, Baby
644. Just A Little Bit
645. Raised On Rock
646. For Ol’ Times Sake
647. Girl Of Mine
648. Sweet Angeline
649. I Miss You
650. Are You Sincere
651. I Got A Feelin’ In My Body
652. It’s Midnight
653. You Asked Me To
654. If You Talk In Your Sleep
655. Mr. Songman
656. Thinking About You
657. Love Song Of The Year
658. Help Me
659. My Boy
660. Lovin’ Arms
661. Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues
662. Talk About The Good Times
663. Promised Land
664. Your Love’s Been A Long Time Coming
665. There’s A Honky Tonk Angel
666. If That Isn’t Love
667. Spanish Eyes
668. She Wears My Ring
669. Opening Riff/See See Rider (Live) [1974]
670. I Got A Woman/Amen (Live)
671. Love Me (Live)
672. Tryin’ To Get To You (Live)
673. Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On/Mama Don’t Dance/Flip, Flop & Fly/Jailhouse Rock/Hound Dog (Live)
674. Why Me, Lord (Live)
675. How Great Thou Art (Live)
676. Blueberry Hill/I Can’t Stop Loving You (Live)
677. Help Me (Live)
678. An American Trilogy: Dixie/Battle Hymn Of The Republic/All My Trials (Live)
679. Let Me Be There (Live)
680. My Baby Left Me (Live)
681. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Live)
682. Can’t Help Falling In Love/Closing Riff (Live)
683. Fairytale [1975]
684. Green, Green Grass Of Home
685. I Can Help
686. And I Love You So
687. Susan When She Tried
688. T-R-O-U-B-L-E
689. Woman Without Love
690. Shake A Hand
691. Bringing It Back
692. Pieces Of My Life
693. Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall [1976]
694. She Thinks I Still Care
695. The Last Farewell
696. Solitaire
697. Moody Blue
698. I’ll Never Fall In Love Again
699. For The Heart
700. Hurt
701. Danny Boy
702. Never Again
703. Love Coming Down
704. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain
705. It’s Easy For You
706. Way Down
707. Pledging My Love
708. He’ll Have To Go
709. If You Love Me (Live) [1977]
710. Little Darlin’ (Live)
711. 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]
• One Broken Heart For Sale (LP Version) [1962]
• 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 list of 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.
• Nothingville/Big Boss Man/Guitar Man/Little Egypt/Trouble/Guitar Man [1968]: Sony identifies this as a single medley master, while I consider it two masters with the split being between “Big Boss Man” and “Guitar Man.” A case could probably be made that there is another split between “Little Egypt” and “Trouble.” “Trouble” seems to begin just before the “Little Egypt” gong strike completely fades away, though.
• 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): Sony identifies this as a single medley master, while I consider them six masters. 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 master, while I split these separate songs into two masters.
• Are You Lonesome Tonight (Live): While Sony does not consider it a master, I include this 1968 recording since it was released during Elvis’ lifetime.
• Blue Suede Shoes (Live): While Sony does not consider it a master, I include this 1968 recording since it was released during Elvis’ lifetime.
• Love Me (Live): While Sony does not consider it a master, I include this 1968 recording 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 recording since it was released during Elvis’ lifetime.
• Also Sprach Zarathustra (Live) [1972]: Sony considers this a separate master, 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 master, 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 master for As Recorded At Madison Square Garden and Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis, but not for Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite.
• Also Sprach Zarathustra (Live) [1973]: Sony considers this a separate master, 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 master, 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. (Site no longer active; was: franklinmintelvis.com.)
• The Complete Elvis Presley Masters promotional site, Sony, 2010. (Site no longer active; was: completeelvis.com.)
• “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.
• September 15, 2012: Updated lifetime masters list to reflect “Nothingville/Big Boss Man” as a separate master from “Guitar Man/Little Egypt/Trouble/Guitar Man.”
• December 28, 2012: Updated lifetime alternates list to include the LP version of “One Broken Heart For Sale.”
• December 29, 2012: Moved “Tomorrow Night” to position 322 from position 6 in the lifetime masters list, reflecting that RCA first released Elvis’ 1954 recording with overdubs made in 1965. RCA did not release the undubbed version until 1992.
• November 23, 2015: Corrected lifetime master 504 to “Walk A Mile In My Shoes.” Thank you to Tim DeBacco for noting the error.