Elvis: The Gospel Side
Growing up, Elvis knew everything about gospel music and it was the type of music he enjoyed singing the most. He was very spiritual, and you can tell by listening to his inspirational and religious songs. They weren’t all serious songs though; many were uplifting and upbeat, as lively gospel revivals were a huge form of entertainment in the South during the 50’s.
Below are a few of my favorite gospel songs performed by Elvis:
Swing Down Sweet Chariot
(There’ll Be) Peace in the Valley (For Me)
Milky White Way
I’ve Got Confidence
Crying in the Chapel
Amazing Grace
For more on Elvis’s gospel and inspirational performances, click here.
Elvis: Readers’ Comments
Earlier this week, I requested that my readers send me their thoughts on Elvis: favorite songs, movies, memories, and/or overall impressions. And here they are:
I remember singing “Hound Dog” from the hearth of my fireplace (that was my stage) and listening to my dad’s records. My all-time favorite Elvis song is “It’s Now or Never.” My family was very connected to Elvis because my father loved him. For a few reasons: Elvis was very spiritual, had a good heart and was generous, and was Southern. My dad also grew up listening to the gospel singers that Elvis always had singing backup: Jake Hess (The Imperials), The Jordanaires, The Jubilee Four, and probably the biggest name in southern gospel music: JD Sumner and the Stamps. I remember listening to JD Sumner and the Stamps way before Elvis. I think a lot of people probably don’t even know Elvis had so many gospel singers singing with him. Lastly, I have probably listened to Elvis’s gospel music more than his mainstream music. By the way, the only 3 Grammy Awards he won were for his gospel music.
-Jeremy L. Beck (singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer)
I am not a huge Elvis fan, but I have to acknowledge him as a great performer in American popular music. Besides the fact that he was very attractive, charismatic onstage, and had an amazing voice, I think he was a very interesting person, too, and people responded to that. Not everyone knows that he had a very diverse ethnic background, including some Native American heritage, and I think that helps to make him an American icon. My favorite periods for Elvis are the very beginning of his career (before he went into the army, and then did all those movies) and later during his resurgence in the late sixties. I like some of his lesser known songs, such as his cover of the old Hank Snow country song, ” A Fool Such as I” and “Love Me.” From the later period I like “A Little Less Conversation” ” In the Ghetto,” and “Suspicious Minds.”
-Sue Bachner (singer/songwriter of Ether Park)
Elvis’ profound mark on popular music was, by most accounts, a happy accident. He was not a songwriter, and did not aspire to be an innovator. He was a kid who wanted a record deal. The result of Sun Records’ discovery was nothing less than the gift of “black music” – and essentially rock’n’roll – to the rest of the country. Elvis was the messenger – an interpreter of music considered taboo by white America. Once the secret of this sonic groove and soul was out, it could not be stopped, and it changed the world.
-Doug Hinrichs (percussionist)
I cannot remember when my fascination with Elvis began, but I have always loved him. His voice is like velvet and of course, he was easy on the eyes! Even today, I still wrap my Christmas gifts while listening to Elvis’ Christmas album….I can’t do it any other way! Below, are my top ten Elvis songs and movies.
-Claudia Gomez-Pina
Top 10 Elvis Songs: (in no specific order, although #1 is my favorite)
1. Kentucky Rain
2. Always on my Mind
3. Suspicious Minds
4. In the Ghetto
5. Can’t Help Falling in Love
6. It’s Now or Never
7. If Everyday was like Christmas
8. If I Can Dream
9. A Little Less Conversation
10. That’s All Right
These last 2 were hard for me to let go of…
Blue Christmas
The Wonder of You
Top 10 Movies:
1. Jailhouse Rock
2. Paradise Hawaiian Style
3. G.I. Blues
4. Blue Hawaii
5. Viva Las Vegas
6. Fun in Acapulco
7. Frankie and Johnny
8. It Happened at the World’s Fair
9. King Creole
10. Clambake
The Other Sides of Elvis
For many people, songs like Hound Dog, Don’t Be Cruel, Jailhouse Rock, etc. are all they know about Elvis Presley. And it’s these same people who might not think too much of him or wonder what the big deal is. And of course, everyone has a right to his or her opinion. However, one of the things that really makes Elvis so extraordinary, besides his good looks and onstage charisma, is the fact that he did a great deal in a short amount of time. Yes, he started early, but he also made his departure at the relatively young age of 42. It is true that he didn’t write his own songs. But frankly, with all the acting, dancing, recording, and touring he did, I wonder if he’d ever find the time to write anything.
If someone would sit and watch his movies, listen to the soundtracks he recorded while acting and dancing in those movies, listen to his numerous gospel and country western albums, along with his mainstream rock and roll material, it would be quite exhausting. So, I would like to give him credit for all his contributions to American culture: an extensive catalog of music, memorable and pelvis-shaking live performances, and many films. His legacy is still strong, even 31 years after his last performance.
Let’s explore some of Elvis’ lesser known songs, but which still deserve some recognition.
Below, some of his country songs:
(Now And Then There’s) A Fool Such As I
I Forgot To Remember To Forget
Some of Elvis’ greatest performances were his inspirational and gospel songs. Here are a few of them:
“If I Can Dream” (in my opinion, his most passionate performance)
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