Elvis Presley is kown as the King of Rock and Roll and for good reason. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of all time and has left an indelible mark on popular culture with his music and style. But what many people don’t know is that Elvis didn’t actually write the majority of his own songs.
Though he was often credited as a co-writer on songs, it’s believed that Elvis only wrote a few of his own tunes. This is because it’s been alleged that his record company demanded songwriters give up 50 percent of the credit before Elvis would record a song. This meant that he often performed cover songs written by other artists, or songs he simply enjoyed singing.
One example of this is “Fools Rush In,” a song originally released by Rube Bloom in 1940 which was covered by Elvis in 1963. Other original songs credited to Elvis himself include “Paralyzed,” “Poor Boy,” and “That’s Someone You Never Forget.” Though not all of these songs were massive hits, they demonstrate the creativity and range possessed by Elvis as an artist.
In addition to these original compositions, Elvis had 18 No. 1 singles throughout his career – the oldest being “Heartbreak Hotel” which was released in 1956. This impressive list includes hits such as “Hound Dog,” “Love Me Tender,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and more – solidifying Elvis’ place at the top of rock n’ roll royalty.
Elvis Presley may not have written all of his own songs, but there can be no doubt that he was an incredibly talented musician who will remain timelessly iconic for generations to come.
How Much of Elvis Presley’s Songs Were Written by Him?
Although Elvis is credited as co-writer on many of his songs, it is widely believed that he actually wrote very few of them. This is because it has been alleged that Elvis’ record company demanded that songwriters give up 50 percent of the credit associated with their songs before Elvis would record them. While it’s impossible to know the exact number of songs that Elvis truly wrote or co-wrote, we do know that he was not credited as a writer on some of his biggest hits, including “Hound Dog” and “Love Me Tender”. In addition, there have been reports from people who worked closely with Elvis in the recording studio that he often had a very limited role in the creative process. Therefore, it is likely only a small percentage of his overll catalog was written or co-written by him.
Did Elvis Presley Write His Own Hits?
No, Elvis Presley did not write any of his own hits. However, he wrote a few original songs and performed plenty of cover songs. He was known for his big voice and powerful interpretations of other people’s music. While he never wrote any chart-topping hits, he did compose some original tunes such as “That’s Someone You Never Forget” and “Little Cabin on the Hill.” His most famous cover song is likely “Fools Rush In,” which has become an iconic part of the Elvis legacy.
Songs Written by Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley wrote a number of hits during his career, many of which were released as singles. Some of his most famous and popular songs include “Paralyzed”, “Poor Boy”, “That’s Someone You Never Forget”, “You’ll Be Gone” and “Mess of Blues”. He co-wrote many of these songs with other songwriters such as Otis Blackwell, Ken Darby and Red West. Elvis also wrote some lesser known tracks such as “It Feels So Right”, “What’d I Say” and “Doin’ the Best I Can”. While he wrote songs for other artists to perform, he is perhaps best known for his own recordings.
Number of #1 Songs Written by Elvis
Elvis Presley wrote 18 songs that reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This includes his first No. 1 hit, “Heartbreak Hotel,” which was released in 1956, and his last No. 1 single, “Suspicious Minds,” which was released in 1969. He also had five other songs that topped the Billboard Country & Western chart, including “Don’t Be Cruel” and “It’s Now or Never.” Additionally, Elvis had a number of songs that peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100 chart but never reached the top spot, such as “A Little Less Conversation” and “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”
Elvis Presley’s Most Successful Song
Elvis Presley’s most successful song was “Can’t Help Falling In Love”. Released in 1961 as a double A-side with Rock-A-Hula-Baby, the song topped the Official Singles Chart and has since amassed over 13 million plays. It became his signature ballad and he often closed many of his live performances with it in the ’60s and ’70s. The song has been covered by many artists, from UB40 to Coldplay, but Elvis’s version remains the most iconic.
Can Elvis Presley Read Music?
No, Elvis Presley could not read music. He had no formal lessons and was never formally taught how to read or write music. Instead, he relied on his natural talent to play instruments by ear. He would listen to a song and then be able to replicate it almost immediately, without needing to read the notation. Elvis was a natural musician who had an incredible ear for music, which is what enabled him to become one of the biggest names in Rock and Roll history.
Number of Songs Written and Recorded by Elvis
Elvis Presley wrote and recorded a total of 67 songs throughout his career. These include 33 songs released during his lifetime, 24 of which were included on his studio albums, and 34 songs released posthumously. He wrote the majority of these songs himself, as well as collaborated with some talented songwriters such as Otis Blackwell and Winfield Scott. Most of his songwriting was done in the genres of rock and roll, pop, blues, gospel, and country music. His most successful original compositions include “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Love Me Tender,” “All Shook Up,” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
Did Elvis Presley Record Any Beatles Songs?
Yes, Elvis Presley did record some of The Beatles’ songs. In 1969 he recorded a studio version of ‘Hey Jude’ which was eventually released on the Elvis Now album three years later. He also incorporated some of their music into his live sets during his later career.
Did Elvis Presley Have a Number One Hit?
Yes, Elvis Presley had a number one hit. His first was “Heartbreak Hotel,” which topped the Billboard pop singles chart in 1956. The song became his first gold record award winner and was the start of a long and successful career. Over his lifetime, Presley earned eighteen number one hits on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and four number one hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. In addition, he also had nine number one albums.
Did Elvis Presley Have a Ghostwriter?
Yes, Elvis Presley did have a ghostwriter. While Elvis wrote some of his own material, he was not the author of many of his most famous and successful songs. For example, “Love Me Tender”, “Teddy Bear” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love” were all written by outsde composers. In addition, some of his early recordings were written with the help of professional songwriters such as Otis Blackwell and Winfield Scott. Elvis also relied heavily on back-up singers to record and perform his songs. He was known for having a great ear for melodies and for being able to quickly learn new songs, so he often worked closely with other musicians to create his musical style.
Dolly Parton’s Song for Elvis
Dolly Parton wrote the song “I Will Always Love You” for Elvis Presley in 1973. The emotional ballad was written as a goodbye love song to her mentor, country music legend Porter Wagoner. After Parton left Wagoner’s show to pursue a solo career, she wanted to give him a parting gift that would express her gratitude and admiration. Despite Elvis’ interest in recording the song, Parton ultimately turned down Colonel Tom Parker’s offer of half of her publishing rights in exchange for it. It has since become an iconic hit and one of Parton’s most beloved songs.
Net Worth of Elvis Presley’s Daughter
Elvis Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, is estimated to have a net worth of minus US$16 million. This figure is largely due to her taking on considerable debt in recent years and having had some unfortunate financial setbacks. According to reports, she inherited a large estate from her father’s will, estimated at around US$100 million. Unfortunately, the estate was not managed well and suffered from mismanagement, resulting in its current value being significantly lower than when it was originally inherited. Additionally, Presley invested heavily in a real estate business that eventually went bankrupt, leading to further losses for her. Despite this difficult financial situation, she remains an active presence in the entertainment industry as a singer-songwriter and continues to make music today.
Comparing Elvis and The Beatles’ Record Sales
The Beatles sold more records than Elvis Presley, with 183 million units certified sales compared to Elvis’ 139 million. This makes The Beatles the best-selling artist of all time worldwide. The Beatles’ sales are particularly impressive considering their relatively short career and the fact that their music was released before the rise of digital downloads and streaming platforms, where many current artists get a significant portion of their sales from. In contrast, Elvis’ career spanned a much longer period of time with more opportunities for physical record sales, as well as a strong presence in the early days of digital music. Despite this, The Beatles remain firmly ahead of Elvis in terms of total record sales.
The Greatest Song of All Time
The #1 song of all time is “Smooth” by Santana featuring Rob Thomas, released in 1999. The song was a huge international hit, topping the charts in numerous countries and reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 weeks. It has since gone on to become one of the most-played songs of all time, with over nine million radio plays and more than five million digital downloads. The song’s signature guitar riff and Latin-flavored beats make it a timeless classic that continues to be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Elvis Presley’s Loss of the Number One Spot
Gogi Grant, an American pop singer-songwriter, knocked Elvis Presley off number one on the Billboard singles chart with her rendition of “The Wayward Wind” in 1956. Grant was known for her distinctively sultry voice and achieved nationwide fame with her version of the song, which stayed at the top of the charts for nine weeks. Her success marked a major milestone in popular music history as she became one of the first female artists to take over from a male artist at number one.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Elvis Presley was a hugely influential figure in the music industry. While he may not have written as many of his songs as he is credited for, he still managed to produce some of the most iconic tunes of all time. Not only was he a talented singer, but he also had a flair for picking out great songs from other artists and making them his own. His legacy will continue to live on through his timeless music and many hits that still remain popular today.
