and record all kinds of songs.
Elvis recorded 709 songs. He performed countless others live. He was an
interpreter of other's people's material, adding his special urgency to them.
He is listed as co-writer on a number of songs, but he was not the driving
creative force for the material - until it was time to perform.
Back in the 50s when a rock-star was a ROCK-star and a ballad-star was a
BALLAD-star, Elvis could recorded any kind of song he found interesting.
If he saw "something" in it - he did the song. Rock, pop, christmas, gospel,
ballad you name it.
Elvis was very often referred to as "The King Of Rock'n Roll", but his all-
round singing abilities made him record ballads like "Your Cheatin' Heart",
"Old Shep", and "Love Me Tender", he also made christmas songs like the
beautiful "White Christmas" and gospel songs like "It Is No Secret" and
"Peace In The Valley" and we're still talking about the same 22 year old
guy!
I'm sure no one with respect for him/herself can deny feeling the rhythm
going through the veins when listening to songs like "Treat Me Nice",
"Burning Love", "Stuck On You", "She's Not You" or "Don't Be Cruel".
It just gives me the chills to listen to those songs. Later on into the 60s
and 70s he added on his amazing variability to perform and record all
kinds of songs.
From the rocking scene some of the songs I can recommend you to listen
to is "Too Much", "Shake, Rattle & Roll", "Tutti Frutti", "I'm Gonna Sit
Right Down And Cry", "Hound Dog", "One-Sided Love Affair", and of
course the it-song "Jailhouse Rock".
From his ballad and love song repertory listen to "Early Morning Rain",
"Are You Lonesome Tonight", "Moonlight Swim", "Love Me Tender",
"It's A Matter Of Time", "Always On My Mind", "Good Luck Charm",
"Girl Of My Best Friend" and "Can't Help Falling In Love".
From the country scene listen to "Guitar Man", "You Ask Me To", "U.S.
Male", "Susan When She Tried", listen to the steel guitar in "Just Call Me
Lonesome"; Awsome!! C & W at the best.
He made christmas songs so fine my grandma enjoyed it. :) Songs like
"Here Come Santa Claus", "Winter Wonderland", "White Christmas", or
"The Wonderful World Of Christmas".
It's almost unbelivable we are listening to Elvis, the man referred to as
"king of rock'n roll" when we hear him sing gospel songs like "It Is No
Secret", "Bosom Of Abraham", "A Thing Called Love" and "There Goes
My Everything". It's like he has never done anything else.
The icing of the cake, to me, is listening to Elvis when he sings songs like
"Moody Blue", "Fool", "Spanish Eyes", "The Wonder Of You", "Fame
And Fortune" or "Welcome To My World". How do he do it?
It's an impossible task to name a favorite top ten songs. I think any Elvis
fans would say the same. You'd be better of asking the person about his
top 10 rock songs, his top 10 ballad songs and so on. Well, somebody did
ask me about my favorite 10 songs.
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