Hits Elvis missed

[Brian]

I was thinking that Elvis had a lot of hits 104 top 40 hits, numerous top 20 hits 38 top 10 hits and 18 number one hits. I thought this would be fun to dicuss so I have compiled a list of songs Elvis was offered and turned down, songs he didn't get around to recording etc. Here is my list: (I am sorry if this post is long but I think if you read it you will enjoy it)

''Don't Forbid me'' (Pat Boone) A demo was sent to Graceland but Elvis had so many demo's sent to him he missed this one Pat Boone recorded it was released in late 1956 and hit #1 by spring of 1957. I heard Elvis singing this during the Million dollar quartet sessions and I like the uptempo arrangement Elvis gives it as opposed to Pat Boone's ballad arrangement. Would this song have been a #1 song for Elvis?

''Blue Suede Shoes'' Carl Perkins had his only hit with this self written song Elvis refused to release his cover so it would not compete with Carl's. Mr. Perkins version is all rockabilly while Elvis version is harder rocking and better known despite Carl's version being the bigger hit at the time. Do you think if Elvis had released his version to compete with Carl's it would have been a big hit top 10 or maybe a #1?

''Bye Bye Love'' I have read all over the internet that Elvis was offered this song first the song that would be the Everly brothers first big hit and make them stars. The song got to #2 on the pop charts and did very well on the country and R&B charts too ironically it was Elvis song Teddy Bear that kept the song from going to #1. I like this song the sound recalls Elvis sun rockabilly sound reminiscent of ''Baby let's play house'' Do you think if Elvis did record this song he would have a big hit with it like the Everly brothers?

''Danny'' This song was considered for the title song to the movie ''King Creole'' but was eventually deemed not strong enough. Conway Twitty had a hit with this song when the songs was changed up a bit and re titled ''Lonely boy blue'' it was twitty's version that went to #6 in 1959. Had Elvis released this song in 1958 do you believe it would have been a big hit for him?

''Turn Me loose'' Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman wrote this uptempo pop ditty with Elvis in the mind but he was in the army so it got recorded boy manufactured teen/singing idol Fabian, Fabian took the song to #3 in 1959
I must say I don't like the song but it's probably the best song Fabian ever recorded. I had hear and rumor that Pomus and Shuman sent him this song to record for the Elvis is back sessions, Elvis rejected it. Do you think if Elvis did record this song instead of Fabian in 1959 or after he got back from the army
he would have had a million selling hit?

''Only the Lonely'' This song that finally made Roy Orbison a star was originally offered to Elvis as Roy stopped by Graceland to offer the song to him and was told he was asleep Roy then recorded the song himself and had a #2 hit in the U.S. and a #1 in the U.K. I disagree with fans who say Elvis couldn't have done this song as well as Orbison, Elvis was recorded big operatic ballads similar to this song in ''Now or Never'', ''Are you Lonesome tonight'' and ''Surrender'' I think he would have done a killer job on this song and had a big hit with this what do you all think?

''Suspicion'' Elvis originally recorded this song in 1962 and it was used as an album track on Pot luck. Terry Stafford recorded the song in 1964 and had a #6 hit with it I believe if RCA would have released this song in 1962 it would have hit #1 Do yo agree with me or disagree?

''Memphis'' Elvis recorded this song twice once in 1963 and again in 1964 because he was satisfied with it. Johnny Rivers who had become a friend to Elvis was allowed in his home and Elvis played him this song and told him this would be his next single release, Rivers asked him to play the song again and again a little while later Elvis heard Rivers version on the radio and was furious, when Rivers came to Elvis home to go motorcycle riding Elvis had members of the Memphis mafia throw him off the property. I like this song very much I like Elvis 1963 version better and believe if he had released it it would have been a big hit for him possibly a #1 (pre British invasion) How do
feel about it?

''It hurts me'' This future country singer Charlie Daniels song is a good ballad and an early example of blue eyed soul. I think since the A side of this ''Kissin Cousin'' made the top 20 I see no reason that if this song was released as an A side with the right promotion from RCA it could have made the top 10 in 1964. Do you agree or disagree?

''Green Green Grass of home'' Red West heard this song on a Jerry Lee Lewis album Red then suggested the song to Elvis when he played it for him Elvis told him it was too country and didn't record it, then when Tom Jones recorded a little while afterwards Elvis loved it and wanted it played over and over much to Reds annoyance. ironically when Elvis recorded the song a decade later he did it with a country flavor, this song recorded and released by Tom Jones in 1966 with more of a pop arrangement made #11 in the states and was a #1 in the U.K. and has become a staple for Mr. Jones
Do you think Elvis would of had as much success or more had he recorded it?

''I just Can't help believing'' According to Marty Lacker who set up the American studio sessions in 1969 says that if Elvis would have returned to American for his 1970 recording sessions there is a good chance this song would have been his instead of B.J. Thomas because this is where Mr. Thomas recorded IJCB. Elvis didn't go back to American because the Colonel instructed members of his entourage to tell Elvis that Chips Moman had planned to try and steal away the song ''In the ghetto'' and give it to another artist even though Marty told Elvis this wasn't true Elvis didn't want to record with Chips again. (Bad Colonel bad) I know Elvis covered this song and had a hit with it in the U.K. in 1971 but I thought it would be good if Elvis had gotten this song first and had a hit with it in the U.S. What do you think about this?

''Always on my Mind'' I think RCA made a big mistake when they released this song as the B side to Separate ways because I think both songs were good enough to be A sides. Always on my mind was released as an A side in the U.K. where it peaked at #9. Willie Nelson recorded and released his version in 1982 where the song became a top 5 pop hit and a # 1 country hit. A lot of people think Willie did this song originally some think he even wrote it one of the few times someone takes an Elvis song, records it and it becomes more popular. I do like Elvis version and think he is a better singer than Mr. Nelson but I like Willie's arrangement better. If Elvis had recorded this song in a slower tempo like Nelson did and it had been put out as an A side I think it could have been just as big a hit for him.

''I Honestly Love you'' this Olivia Newton John hit was picked up for Elvis to record by Marty Lacker, according to Marty he was in L.A. visiting his friend music publisher Alan Rider, he then asked Mr. Rider if he had any new songs for Elvis, Mr. Rider (who was one of songwriter Peter Allen's publishers) played him this new song Marty told him he would play it for Elvis at his next session. (Hollywood 1972 sessions) Unbeknowst to Marty the Colonel was mad
at him for giving Elvis songs that they couldn't get the publishing on so he told Felton Jarvis and Joe not to tell him when Elvis next session was and Marty never got to play the song for Elvis. (Bad Colonel bad) In 1974 Olivia Newton John recorded the song and it topped the Pop charts and the Adult contemporary charts in the U.S. and also topped the Charts in Austrailia.
The song also won a grammy for record of the year and won a grammy for Ms. John (best pop vocal performance female) I don't know if this could have been a big hit sung by a man but maybe. Do you think it would have been a #1 for Elvis had he recorded it in 1972?

''We had it all'' Marty got this song off of a Dobie Gray Lp and brought it to Stax for Elvis to record, Elvis listened to to the song 30 times in a row and praised the song (saying it's beautiful) so much that everyone was surprised when he turned it down saying that ''if he recorded this song fans and other people would think he was singing about Priscilla even though that wouldn't be the case'' and Elvis wasn't in the mood to record a lost love ballad.
This song has been recorded by numerous country singers including Waylon Jennings but no one has had a big hit with it. This ballad in the style of ''Separate ways'' and ''Always on my mind'' could have been a big hit for Elvis on both the pop charts and country if he recorded it what do you all think?


''There's a Honky Tonk Angel'' I know Elvis had a #6 country hit with this song in 1979 but was thinking what if this song had been released in 1974.
Elvis recorded this song at the December 1973 stax sessions, Conway Twitty recorded it around the same time Conway's was released as a single and hit #1 on the country charts in march 1974. Say if Elvis version had been released soon after he recorded it stax do you think he would have had a #1 country hit with the song instead of Mr. Twitty?

''Fire'' This song was specifically written for Elvis by Bruce Springsteen however when Mr. Springsteen tried to meet and give Elvis this song in 1975 the security guards mistook him for ''just a fan'' and escorted him off the property Elvis never recorded the song and the Pointer sister recorded the song in 1979 and had a number #2 pop hit. Do you think if Elvis did record the song he would have found as much popularity with it?

''Fire down Below'' Bass player Jerry Scheff wrote this song for Elvis after he asked him why he didn't record rock songs anymore to which Elvis replied ''I can't find anyone's I like'' Elvis never got around to recording it. I have heard a version by Shakin Stevens on youtube, I like the rhythm of the song but not the words I think the song would have been better if Mr. Scheff had gotten help composing the lyrics. If you haven't heard Shakin Stevens version just go to youtube and type in his name and Fire down below.
Do you think if Elvis recorded the song it would have been a hit for him?

I again apologize for the length of this post but there was a lot to write

What are your thouights on the song Elvis passed on?

Are their any songs I missed?

Additional thoughts, opinions and feedback are welcome.

[Unchained Melody]

''I just Can't help believing'' According to Marty Lacker who set up the American studio sessions in 1969 says that if Elvis would have returned to American for his 1970 recording sessions there is a good chance this song would have been his instead of B.J. Thomas because this is where Mr. Thomas recorded IJCB. Elvis didn't go back to American because the Colonel instructed members of his entourage to tell Elvis that Chips Moman had planned to try and steal away the song ''In the ghetto'' and give it to another artist even though Marty told Elvis this wasn't true Elvis didn't want to record with Chips again. (Bad Colonel bad) I know Elvis covered this song and had a hit with it in the U.K. in 1971 but I thought it would be good if Elvis had gotten this song first and had a hit with it in the U.S. What do you think about this?

Why didn't Elvis go back to American Studios in 1970. That would have been something amazing for sure...

I know had he recorded I will Always Love you by Dolly Parton that would've been a huge hit I think....

[SeeSeeRider777]

Only the Lonely would have been huge for Elvis. So many missed opportunities.

[utmom2008]

Elvis never had the chance to turn this one down, but can you imagine him doing this one??? Cold showers fro the ladies again.


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[Menwithbrokenhearts]

This is a great Chris Isaak song. Elvis would have killed on it, on actually most of Chris' songs. Chris is a huge fan of Elvis, obvious sneer and vocal style. He's my favorite modern day crooner in the style of Elvis. He is the kind of " Elvis Impersonator" I like. Original songs and a mixture of himself and his influences.

[Merry]

Elvis never had the chance to turn this one down, but can you imagine him doing this one??? Cold showers fro the ladies again.

How to make a girl happy, lol.

[Unchained Melody]

Elvis never had the chance to turn this one down, but can you imagine him doing this one??? Cold showers fro the ladies again.


[yt]XXmlJQN5Pm8[/yt]

Very good song there!!

[Maikcool]

This is a great Chris Isaak song. Elvis would have killed on it, on actually most of Chris' songs. Chris is a huge fan of Elvis, obvious sneer and vocal style. He's my favorite modern day crooner in the style of Elvis. He is the kind of " Elvis Impersonator" I like. Original songs and a mixture of himself and his influences.

I`m here with you, Menwithbrokenhearts! I like his Christmas album of 2004 - very touching and old-fashioned. Fantastic! And he did excellent gospel songs.

[Unchained Melody]

Just think had Elvis gotten some material from the likes of bruce springsteen....

[ehollier]

Why didn't Elvis go back to American Studios in 1970. That would have been something amazing for sure...

I know had he recorded I will Always Love you by Dolly Parton that would've been a huge hit I think....

It is ashame that Elvis never went back to American to record again in 1970. I do believe that it was politics back in the day. Although he had the most successful recording sessions of his career in 1969, the aftermath of those sessions smacked of politics which created a bad vibe between the Moman camp and the Presley/Parker camp. I doubt that Elvis, personally, had an issue going back, but it was more than likely Parker (AGAIN!!) and RCA creating those bad vibes.

[Getlo]

Although he had the most successful recording sessions of his career in 1969.

The years 1956-1958 were his most successful.

[heye2008]

"Fire" was written by Bruce in 1977, originally for the "Darkness..." album. A demo was supposedly sent to Graceland in the summer of that year - doubtful if Elvis ever heard it. Rockabilly singer Robert Gordon recorded the song first with Link Wray (on the album "Fresh Fish Special"), the Pointers had the hit. In Springsteen's demo version you can hear him purposely trying to sound like Elvis, which supports the idea of him trying to pitch it to Elvis. Coulda been a huge hit for the King along the vein of "Burning Love"!

[heye2008]

Speaking of songs Elvis never had a chance to turn down: Check out the Mavericks' "I've got this feeling" off the album "Trampoline". Would have fit perfectly on, say, "From Elvis Presley Blvd....".

[Brian]

It is ashame that Elvis never went back to American to record again in 1970. I do believe that it was politics back in the day. Although he had the most successful recording sessions of his career in 1969, the aftermath of those sessions smacked of politics which created a bad vibe between the Moman camp and the Presley/Parker camp. I doubt that Elvis, personally, had an issue going back, but it was more than likely Parker (AGAIN!!) and RCA creating those bad vibes.

Hi ehollier how are you today?

Yes ehollier it was the publishing politics of the day Elvis was able to get a piece of some of the songs that he recorded there (Kentucky Rain etc.) but not enough to satisfy the Colonel. According to Marty (who had set up the sessions) Colonel Parker told his assistants to tell Elvis that Chips Moman had planned to steal ''In the ghetto'' and give it to another artist, Elvis didn't like that and thought that wasn't a good thing for Mr. Moman to do even though Marty went to Elvis and told him it was a fabricated story Elvis didn't believe it and didn't want to work with Chips after that. So instead of Memphis again in 1970 we got the Nashville 1970 sessions and Elvis missed out on quite possibly having ''I just can't help believing'' as his own song.

[Brian]

Does anybody know of any songs Elvis was offered but turned down that wasn't on my list?

btw What do you all think of Elvis and the song I ''Honestly love you''
Do you think he would of had as big a hit with it as Olivia Newton John did? as he was suppose to record it before her.

[Unchained Melody]

The years 1956-1958 were his most successful.

Absolutley correct sir. The music that brought us all the rest down the road. Timeless.

[nyc]

Does anybody know of any songs Elvis was offered but turned down that wasn't on my list?

I don't know if she offered it to him, but one of the songs on Loretta Lynn's Van Lear Rose (the album produced by Jack White of White Stripes), Have Mercy, was written for Elvis.

With people like Loretta Lynn and Bruce Springsteen writing songs for Elvis without being asked, you have to wonder about the kind of material he could have had if he hadn't let himself get so isolated.

[Brian]

I don't know if she offered it to him, but one of the songs on Loretta Lynn's Van Lear Rose (the album produced by Jack White of White Stripes), Have Mercy, was written for Elvis.

With people like Loretta Lynn and Bruce Springsteen writing songs for Elvis without being asked, you have to wonder about the kind of material he could have had if he hadn't let himself get so isolated.

Yes I have heard Loretta say this in interviews she said she wrote a couple of songs for Elvis but he never got around to recording them.

I think since Mrs. Lynn was such a big country singer at this time if Elvis recorded those songs she pitched to him he would have had very big country hits with them and maybe decent sized pop hits too because of Elvis crossover appeal to both audiences.

[Lisarose]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvc0tHntnGY

This is not Elvis singing and there is no way Elvis could have done this song, but still, it brings chills to me to know what he could have done with this song, I especially love the rhythmic line 'I'm glad I didn't know. . ."

[utmom2008]

This is a great Chris Isaak song. Elvis would have killed on it, on actually most of Chris' songs. Chris is a huge fan of Elvis, obvious sneer and vocal style. He's my favorite modern day crooner in the style of Elvis. He is the kind of " Elvis Impersonator" I like. Original songs and a mixture of himself and his influences.

Yeh, I like Chris Isaak as well, he's great. This could be the sexiest song of all time...