Elvis Presley, a figure synonymous with the birth of rock and roll, harbored a profound and enduring love for gospel music, a genre that deeply influenced his artistic journey. As he himself stated in 1957, “My first love I would say would be spiritual music… I mean some of the old colored spirituals, you know, from years back.” This sentiment underscores the significant role gospel music played throughout his career, leading to the release of numerous sacred recordings that showcased his deep emotional connection to the genre.
Throughout his career, RCA released a total of 11 gospel records by Presley, encompassing four LPs, one EP, and six singles. His first gospel EP, Peace in the Valley, featuring four tracks, was released in April 1957. This was followed by his inaugural gospel LP, His Hand in Mine, in November 1960, which included twelve songs. The first gospel single, “Crying in the Chapel,” was issued in April 1965, and its commercial success prompted RCA to release two more gospel singles the following Easter.
Elvis’ second gospel LP, How Great Thou Art, arrived in March 1967 with twelve new recordings. A year later, an Easter single, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” / “We Call on Him,” was released. These tracks also appeared on his third gospel LP, You’ll Never Walk Alone, a budget release from March 1971. Of its nine songs, only two were previously unreleased: “Sing You Children” from the film Easy Come, Easy Go, and “Let Us Pray” from Change of Habit. In April 1971, Elvis’ fifth gospel single, “Life” / “Only Believe,” was also issued.
RCA released Elvis’ final gospel single in the spring of 1972: “He Touched Me” / “Bosom of Abraham.” These songs were also featured on Presley’s last gospel LP, He Touched Me, available in April 1972. However, these were not the final gospel songs he recorded. In the subsequent five years, gospel tracks such as “Help Me” and “I Got a Feelin’ in My Body” were included on his regularly released RCA pop LPs. Live recordings of “How Great Thou Art” and “Why Me Lord?” also appeared on concert LPs during the mid-seventies.
Approximately 60 Presley gospel recordings were released during his lifetime. Selecting the top 10 is inherently subjective, but here is a countdown of his most impactful gospel performances.
Elvis’ Top 10 Gospel Recordings
10. “Peace in the Valley” (1957)
Elvis recorded the title track of his first gospel record, “Peace in the Valley,” on January 13, 1957. He had performed it a week earlier on The Ed Sullivan Show. While his delivery wasn’t as polished as his later gospel sessions, his heartfelt performance of the song’s message helped to mitigate some of the public criticism he had faced.
9. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (1968)
Recorded during his Nashville sessions in September 1967, this song’s emotional depth was captured through a unique process. Producer Felton Jarvis edited a tape where Elvis, seated at the piano with the lights dimmed, repeatedly played the song, seemingly lost in its emotion. The recording earned Elvis a 1968 Grammy nomination for Best Sacred Performance.
8. “Run On” (1967)
Recorded in May 1966, “Run On” was intended for a new gospel album. The session featured 14 musicians and multiple vocalists, creating an energetic and vibrant sound. Described as an “up-tempo number in the jubilee tradition,” it showcased a remarkable updating of traditional gospel music, presenting a powerful and distinctive rendition.
7. “Joshua Fit the Battle” (1960)
This track from Presley’s 1960 gospel album, His Hand in Mine, stands out for its seamless vocal blend with the Jordanaires. The up-tempo tune required several takes to perfect the timing and tone of the individual voices, culminating in an inspiring flourish that highlighted the dedication to the performance.
6. “I Got a Feelin’ in My Body” (1974)
A “funkily rhythmic contemporary religious number” penned by Dennis Linde, who also wrote “Burning Love,” this song kicked off Elvis’s December 1973 sessions at Stax Studios. It became a highlight on his 1974 album, Good Times, demonstrating his continued engagement with contemporary gospel sounds.
5. “He Touched Me” (1972)
Recorded on May 15, 1971, “He Touched Me” became the title track of Elvis’s fourth and final gospel LP. His lifelong familiarity with such hymns allowed for a powerful emotional vocal delivery in just a few takes. The song, a signature tune for The Imperials who provided backing vocals, contributed to Elvis’s second Grammy award.
4. “His Hand in Mine” (1960)
During the marathon session for his first sacred LP in October 1960, Elvis recorded “His Hand in Mine,” a song by one of his favorite gospel groups, The Statesmen. Working with the same musicians and vocalists as his pop recordings, the arrangement featured a notable vocal harmony between Elvis and Charlie Hodge, alongside the Jordanaires and Millie Kirkham.
3. “Saved” (1968)
Unlike spirituals, which often hold back emotion, rhythm gospel music, characterized by a steady beat, allows the singer to give their all. “Saved,” recorded for his 1968 TV special, exemplifies this energetic style. Elvis’s high-energy vocal performance, devoid of restraint, was part of a gospel medley in the special. The standalone recording was released posthumously.
2. “Crying in the Chapel” (1965)
Despite a few vocal missteps by the Jordanaires during the recording session on October 30-31, 1960, Elvis insisted on releasing “Crying in the Chapel.” Colonel Parker’s delay in securing publishing rights led to the track being omitted from the His Hand in Mine album. However, RCA released it as a single five years later, where it unexpectedly soared to #3 on the Billboard pop chart, becoming his most commercially successful gospel recording.
1. “How Great Thou Art” (1967)
This became Elvis’s favorite gospel song, despite his initial unfamiliarity with it. After hearing the Jordanaires perform it, Elvis recorded it from memory, with a vocal arrangement by Neal Matthews. His sincere and dedicated performance, delivered in a slower tempo than previous versions, built the song into a powerful anthem. “How Great Thou Art” earned Elvis his first Grammy award and another Grammy for its live version in 1974.
While Elvis Presley never received a Grammy for his pop music, the music establishment recognized the profound impact and artistry of his religious recordings. His lifelong devotion to spiritual music consistently shone through in the passion and commitment evident in his gospel performances.
References
Hanson, A. (2012, December). Elvis’ Best Gospel Recordings … A Top 10 Countdown. Elvis History Blog. Retrieved from http://www.elvis-history-blog.com/