Elvis Presley was a legendary American singer, actor, and cultural icon who became known as the “King of Rock and Roll.” His music influenced generations of musicians and shaped the course of popular music in the 20th century. With a career spanning over two decades, he released numerous chart-topping albums and singles that continue to captivate audiences today. In this article, we will explore the top 20 best Elvis Presley songs of all time, from his early hits to his later ballads, showcasing the incredible range of his talent and the impact of his music.
The selection of the top 20 best Elvis Presley songs was based on factors such as chart performance, critical acclaim, and enduring popularity. This list includes some of his most iconic hits, such as “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and “Suspicious Minds,” as well as lesser-known gems like “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and “Don’t Be Cruel.” Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a newcomer to his music, this list offers a comprehensive overview of Elvis Presley’s greatest hits, highlighting his unique style, powerful vocals, and enduring legacy.
1. ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ (1956)
“Heartbreak Hotel” is a classic song by Elvis Presley, released in 1956. The song tells the story of a lonely man who checks into a hotel after a painful breakup, seeking solace from his heartbreak. Presley’s soulful and emotive vocals, backed by a haunting melody and a simple yet effective guitar riff, make for a powerful and evocative track that captures the pain of lost love. The song became an instant hit, reaching the top of the charts and cementing Presley’s status as a major force in rock and roll. To this day, “Heartbreak Hotel” remains one of the most beloved and enduring songs of Presley’s career.
2. ‘I Want You, I Need You, I Love You’ (1956)
“I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” is a classic love song by Elvis Presley, released in 1956. The track features Presley’s signature smooth and emotive vocals, backed by a gentle and romantic melody. The lyrics express the singer’s overwhelming desire for his lover, promising to love and cherish her always. With its heartfelt lyrics, soaring vocals, and gentle instrumentation, the song captures the intense passion and tenderness of true love. “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” became a hit upon its release, and remains a beloved classic in the Elvis Presley canon.
3. ‘Love Me Tender’ (1956)
“Love Me Tender” is a classic ballad by Elvis Presley, released in 1956. The song features Presley’s tender and heartfelt vocals, backed by a simple yet effective acoustic guitar melody. The lyrics express a deep and abiding love for the singer’s partner, promising to love and cherish them forever. With its gentle and romantic sound, “Love Me Tender” has become an enduring classic and one of the most beloved love songs of all time. The song’s message of true and abiding love has resonated with listeners for generations, cementing Elvis Presley’s status as one of the greatest romantic balladeers of all time.
4. “All Shook Up” (1957)
“All Shook Up” is a classic rock and roll song by Elvis Presley, released in 1957. The track features Presley’s signature upbeat vocals and energetic instrumentation, with a catchy melody that is impossible to resist. The lyrics express the feeling of being completely overcome by love, leaving the singer “all shook up.” With its lively and energetic sound, “All Shook Up” became an instant hit, topping the charts and becoming one of the most enduring and beloved rock and roll songs of all time. To this day, the song remains a classic and a staple of oldies radio stations around the world.
5. ‘Jailhouse Rock’ (1957)
“Jailhouse Rock” is a classic rock and roll song by Elvis Presley, released in 1957. The song features Presley’s signature vocals, backed by an infectious melody and driving rhythm. The lyrics describe life inside a jail, with the inmates singing and dancing to the “Jailhouse Rock.” With its catchy chorus and danceable beat, the song became an instant hit, topping the charts and becoming one of the most iconic rock and roll tracks of all time. The song’s message of joy and exuberance, even in the face of adversity, has resonated with listeners for generations, making “Jailhouse Rock” a timeless classic.
6. ‘A Big Hunk O’ Love’ (1959)
“A Big Hunk O’ Love” is a classic rock and roll song by Elvis Presley, released in 1959. The track features Presley’s energetic and powerful vocals, backed by an upbeat and danceable rhythm. The lyrics express the singer’s desire for a big, passionate love, declaring that he wants a “big hunk o’ love.” With its catchy chorus, driving beat, and bluesy guitar riffs, the song became an instant hit, reaching the top of the charts and solidifying Presley’s status as a major force in rock and roll. To this day, “A Big Hunk O’ Love” remains a beloved classic in the Elvis Presley catalog.
7. ‘Stuck on You’ (1960)
“Stuck on You” is a classic pop ballad by Elvis Presley, released in 1960. The song features Presley’s signature smooth vocals, backed by a gentle melody and soft instrumentation. The lyrics express the singer’s unending devotion to his lover, declaring that he is “stuck on” them forever. With its romantic and sentimental sound, “Stuck on You” became an instant hit, topping the charts and becoming one of Presley’s most beloved songs. The track’s message of undying love and devotion has resonated with generations of listeners, cementing its place as a timeless classic in the Elvis Presley catalog.
8. ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ (1961)
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” is a classic love ballad by Elvis Presley, released in 1961. The song features Presley’s smooth and soulful vocals, backed by a gentle melody and orchestration. The lyrics express the feeling of falling deeply in love, and the singer’s helplessness to resist the pull of his emotions. With its beautiful melody, heartfelt lyrics, and timeless sound, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” became an instant hit, topping the charts and becoming one of Presley’s most enduring and beloved songs. The track’s message of the transformative power of love has resonated with generations of listeners, cementing its place as a timeless classic in the Elvis Presley catalog.
9. ‘(You’re the) Devil in Disguise’ (1963)
“(You’re the) Devil in Disguise” is a classic rock and roll song by Elvis Presley, released in 1963. The song features Presley’s signature rockabilly sound, with a driving beat and energetic vocals. The lyrics tell the story of a man who falls for a woman who turns out to be not who she seems, declaring that she’s “the devil in disguise.” With its catchy chorus, bluesy guitar riffs, and danceable rhythm, “Devil in Disguise” became an instant hit, reaching the top of the charts and becoming one of Presley’s most popular songs. The track’s combination of rock and roll energy and catchy melody has cemented its place as a classic in the Elvis Presley catalog.
10. ‘Burning Love’ (1972)
“Burning Love” is a classic rock song by Elvis Presley, released in 1972. The song features Presley’s signature rock and roll sound, with a driving beat and energetic vocals. The lyrics tell the story of a man consumed by his passion for a woman, declaring that his love for her is “burning up.” With its catchy chorus, upbeat tempo, and hard-rocking guitar riffs, “Burning Love” became an instant hit, reaching the top of the charts and becoming one of Presley’s most popular and enduring songs. The track’s high-energy sound and passionate lyrics have cemented its place as a classic in the Elvis Presley catalog.
11. ‘Don’t Be Cruel’ (1956)
“Don’t Be Cruel” is a classic rock and roll song by Elvis Presley, released in 1956. The song features Elvis’s distinctive vocals, backed by a tight rhythm section and a catchy guitar riff. The lyrics tell the story of a man who pleads with his lover not to be cruel to him, despite the fact that she has left him. The song became a massive hit for Presley, reaching number one on the Billboard charts and helping to establish him as a major force in popular music. With its irresistible melody and infectious energy, “Don’t Be Cruel” remains a beloved classic of the rock and roll era.
12. ‘Hound Dog’ (1956)
“Hound Dog” is an iconic rock and roll song first recorded by Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton in 1952, but the most famous version is undoubtedly the 1956 rendition by Elvis Presley. The song features a driving rhythm, complete with handclaps and a catchy guitar riff, along with Elvis’s signature vocal style. The lyrics tell the story of a man warning a woman not to be a “hound dog” and to stop treating him so badly. With its lively beat and memorable chorus, “Hound Dog” became an instant classic, and helped cement Elvis Presley’s place as one of the most important and influential figures in popular music history.
13. ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ (1956)
“Blue Suede Shoes” is a classic rock and roll song written and first recorded by Carl Perkins in 1955. The song tells the story of a man who buys a new pair of blue suede shoes and warns others not to step on them. Elvis Presley famously covered the song in 1956, introducing it to a wider audience and helping to solidify its place in rock and roll history. The song features a catchy guitar riff, a driving beat, and energetic vocals, all of which contribute to its enduring popularity. “Blue Suede Shoes” remains a beloved classic and a testament to the power of rock and roll.
14. ‘(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear’ (1957)
“(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear” is a classic rock and roll love song by Elvis Presley, released in 1957. The song features a catchy melody, upbeat tempo, and charming lyrics that speak of a man’s desire to be his lover’s teddy bear and protect her from the world. The song’s playful and endearing nature, along with Elvis’s smooth vocals and the accompanying harmonies, make it a memorable and beloved classic of the rock and roll era. The song’s popularity helped cement Elvis’s reputation as a romantic crooner, and it continues to be a staple of his repertoire, appealing to generations of fans.
15. ‘Blue Christmas’ (1957)
“Blue Christmas” is a holiday classic song originally recorded by Doye O’Dell in 1948, but the most famous version is the 1957 rendition by Elvis Presley. The song features a slow, mournful melody, with Elvis’s distinctive vocal style expressing the sadness and loneliness felt by the narrator during the holiday season. The song’s poignant lyrics, combined with its gentle, dreamlike sound, create a haunting and memorable atmosphere that has made it a beloved classic for generations of listeners. With its wistful tone and emotional resonance, “Blue Christmas” remains a testament to Elvis Presley’s unique talent and enduring legacy.
16. ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’ (1960)
“Are You Lonesome Tonight” is a classic ballad by Elvis Presley, released in 1960. The song is a melancholy meditation on love and heartbreak, with Elvis’s smooth and emotive vocals accompanied by gentle piano and guitar. The lyrics address a former lover, asking if they too are feeling the pain of separation and loneliness. The song became a major hit for Elvis, reaching the top of the charts in the US and the UK, and cementing his reputation as a masterful interpreter of romantic ballads. With its timeless melody and poignant lyrics, “Are You Lonesome Tonight” remains a beloved classic of the pop music canon.
17. ‘It’s Now or Never’ (1960)
“It’s Now or Never” is a classic ballad by Elvis Presley, released in 1960. The song is a romantic plea, with Elvis’s powerful vocals accompanied by lush orchestration, as he urges his lover not to wait to declare their love. The song is based on the classic Italian tune “O Sole Mio,” but the lyrics were adapted to English to create this enduring classic. “It’s Now or Never” was a major commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries and cementing Elvis’s place as a masterful interpreter of romantic ballads. With its timeless melody and evocative lyrics, “It’s Now or Never” remains a beloved classic of the pop music canon.
18. ‘Surrender’ (1961)
“Surrender” is a classic pop song by Elvis Presley, released in 1961. The song features a catchy melody and upbeat tempo, with Elvis’s smooth vocals expressing the joy and abandon of newfound love. The lyrics are about a man who is smitten with a new love interest, and he is willing to give up everything to be with her. The song’s infectious energy and catchy chorus made it a major commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries. With its memorable melody and charming lyrics, “Surrender” remains a beloved classic of the early 1960s pop era, and a testament to Elvis Presley’s enduring popularity.
19. ‘Suspicious Minds’ (1969)
“Suspicious Minds” is a classic rock and roll song by Elvis Presley, released in 1969. The song features a driving rhythm and memorable melody, with Elvis’s powerful vocals expressing the paranoia and mistrust of a romantic relationship gone wrong. The lyrics are about a man who is unable to trust his lover, even as he desperately tries to hold on to their relationship. The song’s dynamic energy and emotional intensity made it a major commercial success, and one of Elvis’s most enduring hits. With its powerful melody and iconic chorus, “Suspicious Minds” remains a beloved classic of the late 1960s rock and roll era, and a testament to Elvis’s continued relevance and influence.
20. ‘Always on My Mind’ (1972)
“Always on My Mind” is a classic love song by Elvis Presley, released in 1972. The song features a gentle melody and heartfelt lyrics, with Elvis’s emotive vocals expressing the pain and regret of a man who realizes too late that he has not treated his lover as well as he should have. The lyrics are about a man who is haunted by the memory of his lost love, and is determined to do better if given a second chance. The song’s tender melody and poignant lyrics made it a major commercial success, and a beloved classic of the early 1970s. With its universal theme and timeless appeal, “Always on My Mind” remains a beloved ballad of the pop music canon.
Darren Jamison is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
