The Best Elvis Presley Gospel Music Songs
Contents
Elvis Presley’s gospel music is some of the most beautiful and spiritually uplifting music ever recorded. Here are a dozen of the best Elvis gospel songs.
Elvis Presley’s Gospel Music
Elvis Presley was known for his rock and roll music, but he also enjoyed gospel music. Gospel music is a type of religious music that is meant to praise God. Elvis Presley’s gospel music is some of the best because it is so heartfelt and moving.
Elvis Presley’s love for gospel music
Elvis Presley was raised in the American South, where gospel music was an integral part of the culture. Elvis himself was a devout Christian and gospel music was a big part of his life. In fact, some of his most popular songs were gospel songs.
Elvis Presley’s love for gospel music is evident in the way he sang these songs. He brought a deep feeling and passion to his performances that touched the hearts of millions of people around the world. Here are some of the best Elvis Presley gospel music songs:
-How Great Thou Art
-Amazing Grace
-In the Garden
-He Touched Me
-Peace in the Valley
Elvis Presley’s gospel music recordings
Elvis Presley’s gospel music recordings are the spiritual recordings he made after Elvis Aaron Presley returned to secular music in 1960. He recorded at least 24 traditional gospel songs, which have been released on numerous albums. These recordings are non-secular and apart from a few exceptions, they avoid references to Presley’s embraces of rock and roll or his subsequent social misdemeanors.
Presley’s interest in gospel music started at an early age; he attended a Pentecostal church with his family and considered himself a devout Christian. He would go on to be influenced by both black gospel and white gospel music, particularly due to the contemporary rise of the Civil Rights Movement.
In 1957, he bought his first gospel album, Peace in the Valley by Mahalia Jackson, which he played constantly; Jackson would become one of his favorite gospel singers. That same year he attended an all-night gospel sing with Jane Manning in Chicago, which inspired him to start incorporating more spiritual songs into his repertoire.
By 1958, Presley had added several spiritual songs to his live shows; “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” and “I Believe” were two early favorites that were often included in his set lists. In June 1958, while touring in support of the release of King Creole, Presley performed Jackson’s song “Peace in the Valley” on The Steve Allen Show.
In January 1959, shortly after recording “A Fool Such as I”/”I Was the One”, Presley expressed interest in recording a full album of spiritual songs. RCA Records producer Steve Sholes agreed to record such an album, and several sessions took place at Radio Recorders studio in Los Angeles throughout the year.
The Best Elvis Presley Gospel Music Songs
If you love Elvis Presley, then you know he’s not just the king of rock ‘n’ roll. He’s also the king of gospel music. Here are some of his best gospel songs that will make you feel the spirit.
“Where Could I Go but to the Lord”
“Where Could I Go but to the Lord” is a 1968 gospel song written by Dallas Frazier. The song was recorded by Elvis Presley in the same year and became a staple in his live performances.
The song is based on a traditional gospel melody and features Presley’s powerful vocal delivery. The lyrics tell of the singer’s feelings of despair and how only God can provide comfort and hope.
The song has been described as “one of the most beautiful recordings Elvis ever made” and has been covered by many artists including Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston.
“He Touched Me”
“He Touched Me” is a gospel song written by Bill Gaither and Sidney Cox. Elvis Presley recorded the song in 1972, and it was released as the lead single from his album He Touched Me. The song peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and became a gospel standard. It has been recorded by many artists including Aretha Franklin, Gaither Vocal Band, and Barbra Streisand.
The song is based on the story of a blind man who was healed by Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Mark. Gaither has said that he was inspired to write the song after hearing evangelist Billy Graham preach on Mark 8:22-26. In an interview with Christianity Today, Gaither recalled that he wrote the song in about ten minutes while he was waiting for his wife to finish getting ready for church one Sunday morning. He said, ” Suddenly, this melody and these words just popped into my head—’I was blind, but now I see.’ And I just sat down and wrote them out.”
“Amazing Grace”
“Amazing Grace” is a Christian hymn published in 1779, with words written by the English poet and clergyman John Newton (1725–1807). Newton wrote the words from personal experience. He grew up without any particular religious conviction, but his life’s path was formed by a variety of twists and coincidences that were often put into motion by his recalcitrant insubordination.
Newton was pressed into service in the Royal Navy. In 1743, while aboard a ship bound for America, a violent storm battered the vessel. Fearful for their lives, some of the crew began to pray, and Newton felt moved to do so as well. He later recounted that he was transformed by this experience, becoming a devout Christian who subsequently committed his life to abolitionism and social reform.
While serving as a pastor in Olney, Buckinghamshire, Newton wrote a hymn that would become known around the world. “Amazing Grace” was published in Olney Hymns (1779) with the now-famous opening line: “Amazing Grace! (how sweet the sound)”. The hymn was immediately popular among Newton’s congregation and became one of the most enduring songs in history.
Elvis Presley recorded “Amazing Grace” on June 10, 1972 during an impromptu session at his home in Graceland with J.D. Sumner and The Stamps Quartet joining him on vocals. The song became an important part of Presley’s live performances towards the end of his career and he would often close his shows with it.
“I’m Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs”
This song was originally recorded by the five Blind Boys of Alabama in 1950. Elvis recorded it in 1957 and it was released on his Peace in the Valley EP. It is a gospel song about going to heaven and has a joyful, upbeat sound.
“Swing Down, Sweet Chariot”
“Swing Down, Sweet Chariot” is a gospel song written by Sidney Herbert Dorse in 1873. The song was popularized by African American singer Fisk Jubilee Singers in 1872. The song became a hit for Elvis Presley in 1968 when he recorded it for his “Gospel” album. The song has been covered by many artists including Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many great Elvis Presley gospel music songs that have touched the hearts of millions of people around the world. While he is best known for his work in rock and roll, his gospel songs are some of his most beautiful and spiritual recordings. If you are a fan of Elvis Presley, or just enjoy good gospel music, be sure to check out some of these classic songs.
