Elvis Rocking On (Part One)

Especially for fans of The King of Rock and Roll and for those who want to know about Elvis Presley and his music. It is quite a formidable task to take this on but because this musical journey is worthwhile come take a listen and find out why when the name Elvis was written or spoken most everyone knew who he was. These are his studio albums and not the soundtracks from his movies.

His first album was titled Elvis Presley in the US and the UK Elvis Presley Rock n’ Roll. It was his debut album released in 1956. The album was at number one on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. It was also the first rock and roll album to top the charts and the first million-selling album of that genre. In 1966 it was certified Gold and Platinum in 2011 by the Recording Industry Association of America RIAA.

Singles from the album – “Blue Suede Shoes”, “I Got a Woman”, “I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’)”, “I Love You Because”, “Just Because”, and “Money Honey”.

Elvis

Simply titled Elvis. It was recorded on RCA Victor and came out in October of 1956. This album got on the Billboard Top Pop Album chart and stayed there for four weeks at number one. On February 17, 1960, the album was certified Gold and on August 10, 2011 Platinum by the RIAA.

The songs that came out as singles were “Love Me”, “When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again”, “Paralyzed” and “Old Shep”.

The song “Old Shep” was a song that Elvis sang at a fair in Tupelo, when he was ten years old and won second prize. The country song was written by Red Foley in 1941.

Elvis himself chose the songs, led the session and made all other necessary decisions. All through this career, he would do what any record producer would do.

Golden Records

Golden Records was released by RCA Victor in March of 1958. Most of this album was recorded at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, California. This album was certified Gold in 1961, Platinum in 1988, 5 times Platinum in 1992 and 6 times Platinum in 1999.

The singles on this album included “Heartbreak Hotel”, “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You”, “Don’t Be Cruel”, “Love Me Tender”, “Too Much”, “All Shook Up” and “Loving You”.

For LP Fans Only

For LP Fans Only was released on February 6, 1959. The singles from this album were “That’s Alright”, “Mystery Train”, and “Shake, Rattle, and Roll”.

Elvis was inducted into the U.S. Army on March 24, 1958, so his manager Colonel Tom Parker tried to decide how to keep him in the public eye for two years. The answer was to arrange a recording session that provided Parker with five more single sides. Four singles were released as 45s in 1958 and 1959 while Elvis was away.

This particular album was released on compact disc in 1989 and is included in a 25-disc package “The Perfect Blues Collection” released by Sony in 2011.

A Date with Elvis

Elvis recorded “A Date With Elvis” on July 24, 1959.

Singles on this album were “I Forgot to Remember to Forget”, “Good Rockin’ Tonight” and “Baby, Let’s Play House”.

There are two songs which I especially like on this album and they are “Blue Moon of Kentucky” and “(You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care”.

Gold Records

The album Gold Records came out in 1958 and was also titled 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong. It came out on November 13, 1959, and included a compilation of hit singles that were released in 1958 and 1959. This album was certified Gold in 1966 and Platinum in 1992 after selling a million copies. Elvis is pictured on the cover of this album wearing a gold lame suit that was designed by Nudie’s of Hollywood.

The singles from this album were “Don’t”, “Wear My Ring Around Your Neck”, “One Night”, “(Now and Then There’s) A Fool Such As I”, and “A Big Hunk O’ Love”.

Elvis Is Back

In April 1960 Elvis released his this studio album titled Elvis Is Back! This album made the announcement that Elvis had been discharged from the U.S. Army and was back singing. In 1999 this album was certified Gold.

This album took Elvis more toward the pop music direction. The album cover showed him standing in front of a blue stage curtain, dressed in an Army trench coat and the back cover showed him dressed in an Army regulation fatigue jacket and cap. For the added pleasure of fans, the album also included a gatefold cover with 15 photos of Elvis taken during his time in the Army.

The album opens up with the songs “Make Me Know It” followed by “Fever”. On the backside, there was “Soldier Boy” and “Such a Night”. The singles from this album are “Such a Night” and “The Girl of My Best Friend”.

Something for Everybody

Elvis recorded Something for Everybody and it was released on June 17, 1961. The album stayed at number one on the charts for three weeks. This album was certified Gold in 1999.

Among the songs on this album are “There’s Always Me”, “It’s a Sin” and “Sentimental Me” among others.

Pot Luck

This album came out on June 5, 1962. Most of these songs were written by the songwriting team of Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. The album includes a song titled “That’s Someone You Never Forget” and is a collaboration between Elvis, who gave the concept and title and Red West. It is thought to be written in memory of Elvis’ mother. The song was released as a single in 1967.

From Elvis in Memphis

From Elvis in Memphis album came out in 1969. It charted on the Billboard 200. The one single released from this album became a hit “In the Ghetto”. It charted on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA. Rolling Stone magazine placed it at number 190 on the list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

On Stage

In the 1970s Elvis came out with a group of albums many of which had songs I particularly liked. The album titled On Stage was released in June of 1970. It was a live album which was recorded between February 17 and 19 at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada in the U.S. This album was certified Gold in 1971 and Platinum in 1999.

This album included the worldwide number one single “The Wonder of You”. Other songs were “Yesterday”, “Runaway” and I really enjoyed Elvis’ version of “Sweet Caroline”. What made the album interesting was that Elvis’ name wasn’t anywhere to be found on the cover. His photo was there and everyone knew who he was.