Every Song Elvis Presley Played on His 1968 Comeback Special

The Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley is Netflix’s newest music documentary, examining Elvis’ tumultuous career and highlighting some of the songs he performed in his famous 1968 comeback special. Elvis’ 1968 comeback special was a pivotal moment in his career, seeing him o return to the stage after years of working in the film industry at the request of her manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Dissatisfied with the lack of artistic talent in his films, the special was a return to form for the iconic singer.

Although some of Elvis Presley’s best films, such as Long live Las Vegasare considered classics, Elvis is best known in the history of pop culture for his influence on music. The 2022 biopic, Elvisexamines the toxic relationship between the star and Tom Parker, which pushed him towards more commercial appeal. With great songs from bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones Dominating the industry, the 1968 special was a defining moment for Elvis, and he put on a legendary show.

20

Trouble (1958)

Album: King Creole

“Trouble” is a blues song by Elvis Presley from the 1958 film. King Creolewhich Elvis cited as the favorite role he played in his acting career. The song was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and was later covered by several other musical artists. He opened with the song as a way to remind the audience of his sexy and provocative image.

19

Guitar Man (1967)

Album: Guitar Man

The song “Guitar Man” was originally released by artist Jerry Reedwho wrote and recorded the song as a country hit. Shortly afterwards, Elvis recorded a version of the song, with Reed playing guitar, and re-released it in January 1968. “Guitar Man” is not one of Presley’s most famous songs, but it helped reinforce the idea of ​​”Trouble” in his medley. combined in the 1968 special, highlighting a more temperamental side of the artist.

18

Miss Clawdy (1952)

Album: Lawdy Miss Clawdy (Single)

“Lawdy Miss Clawdy” is a song originally written and recorded by New Orleans artist Lloyd Price and is highlighted as one of the influences on Elvis Presley’s career. The song was one of the top R&B releases of the year and is on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.”

17

Honey, What Do You Want Me to Do (1959)

Album: Baby What Do You Want Me To Do (single)

“Baby, what do you want me to do” is a blues song written and recorded by Jimmy Reed in 1959. Elvis Presley’s performance of this song on ’68 Comeback Special was a notable reminder of his roots in blues and R&B music. The song was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 2004.

16

Hotel Desgosto (1956)

Album: Heartbreak Hotel (Single)

“Heartbreak Hotel” is an Elvis Presley original released as a single in 1956. The song was written by Mae Boren Axton and Tommy Durden and was recorded with Presley’s band, the Blue Moon Boys. Iconic musicians such as George Harrison, John Lennon, Keith Richards and Robert Plant have cited “Heartbreak Hotel” as an influential song in their lives.

15

Hound (1953)

Album: Hound Dog (Single)

“Hound Dog” is a blues song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, which was originally recorded by Big Mama Thornton. Elvis Presley’s 1956 version is perhaps the best-known version of the song, which has been recorded more than 250 times. In Rolling Stone’s On the 2021 list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, “Hound Dog” was ranked 318th.

14

All Shaken (1957)

Album: All Shook Up (Single)

“All Shook Up” is a song composed by Otis Blackwell and originally performed by Elvis Presley. In April 1957, the song topped the US Billboard Music Top 100. On Rolling Stone’s In the 2004 edition of the list of the 500 greatest songs of all time, “All Shook Up” was ranked 352nd.

13

I Can’t Help Falling in Love (1961)

Album: Blue Hawaii

“Can’t Help Falling in Love” was written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore and George David Weiss and was recorded by Elvis Presley in 1961. The song is featured in the film and album Blue Hawaii and is still one of Presley’s most popular and well-known songs. It was later covered by many iconic musical artists, including Bob Dylan.

12

Prison Rock (1957)

Album: Jailhouse Rock

“Jailhouse Rock” is another classic Elvis Presley song, written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller for the 1957 film of the same name. Rolling Stone’s list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time included “Jailhouse Rock” at number 67and is still considered one of Presley’s most iconic works.

11

Love Me Tenderly (1956)

Album: Love Me Tender

“Love Me Tender” is a song written by Ken Darby and originally recorded by Elvis Presley. The song was written for the 1956 film of the same name, which was released a month after Elvis sang it in Ed Sullivan. In addition to the original film, “Love Me Tender” has been used in dozens of films, from Die Hard 2 to Wild at heart to The Princess Diaries 2.

10

Where could I go but to the Lord? (1967)

Album: How Big You Are

“Where could I go but to the Lord?” was one of the songs on Elvis Presley’s eighth album, How big are youand was written by James B. Coats. The gospel album was released in the mid-60s as a result of Presley’s declining success in the film industry. The song is one of the fastest on the album.

9

Above My Head (1948)

Album: Up Above My Head (Single)

“Up Above My Head I Hear Music In The Air” was a gospel song originally recorded by The Southern Sons. However, the best known version was released in 1948 by Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight. The song was paired with “Where Could I Go But to the Lord?” and “Saved” in the gospel medley of ’68 Comeback Special.

8

Saved (1961)

Album: Where No One Is Alone

“Saved” is a gospel song originally recorded by LaVern Baker in 1961. The song was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and was later included on the ’68 Comeback Special to represent Elvis Presley’s return to his R&B roots. It was included on the 2018 compilation album Where no one is alone.

7

Blue Christmas (1948)

Album: Elvis Christmas Album

“Blue Christmas” is a Christmas-themed song written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson and was first recorded by Doye O’Dell in 1948. However, it was made famous by Elvis Presley and his 1957 Christmas album. “Blue Christmas” is still one of Presley’s most popular songs and is his quintessential holiday season hit.

6

One Night (1956)

Album: One Night (Single)

“One Night” is a song written by Dave Bartholomew, Pearl King and Anita Steiman and was originally recorded by Smiley Lewis in 1956. The song achieved greater commercial success when recorded by Elvis in 1958. Elvis Presley’s version reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and number four in the US.

5

Memoirs (1968)

Album: Memories (Single)

“Memories” was written by Billy Strange and Mac Davis specifically for the comeback special and was one of the songs he performed for the first time that night. The song reflects past years, which makes it important to the special, which examined eras and genres in Presley’s career. The song has been described as a “trademark of Elvis’ later period”.

4

Nadaville (1968)

Album: Let Yourself Go

“Nothingville” is another song that Elvis debuted on ’68 Comeback Special. The song is credited to Billy Strange and Mac Davis on the soundtrack that accompanied the special. It came in a medley with “Big Boss Man”, “Little Egypt” and replays of “Guitar Man” and “Trouble”. The individual song itself is quite short and is meant to be part of a larger medley.

3

The Big Boss (1960)

Album: Big Boss Man (Single)

“Big Boss Man” is a blues song written by Luther Dixon and Al Smith, which was recorded by Jimmy Reed in 1960. The song was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1990 and is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Roll. list of “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll”. Elvis performed the song as part of a medley on the comeback special.

2

Little Egypt (1962)

Album: Coast Along with the Coasters

“Little Egypt” is another song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, which was recorded by the Coasters in 1962. It was then covered by Elvis for the first time in the film. Shopkeeper and the accompanying album before he covered it in a medley for the 1968 comeback special. The song was also covered by iconic singer Cher.

1

If I Can Dream (1968)

Album: Elvis

“If I Can Dream” is perhaps the most iconic song from the 1968 NBC Comeback Special. It was originally written by Walter Earl Brown, known for its similarities to Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech. 1968, Elvis recorded the song in June, just two months after King was assassinated and weeks after Robert Kennedy was assassinated. His performance in the 68 special is considered one of the most emotional and moving performances of his entire career.

Both The Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley and 2022 Elvis The biopic highlights the performance of this song as a pivotal moment in Elvis Presley’s life and career. The song and its meaning were the culmination of Elvis Presley’s efforts that night to try to recover his career as an artist.