The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley: Disc 2

This is a follow-up to my previous post on the Gospel Music of Elvis Presley. This post will focus on the second disc of the set, which contains some of Elvis’ most popular gospel songs.

Elvis Presley – He Touched Me (1972)

This is a live recording of Elvis Presley performing the song “He Touched Me” at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 11, 1972.

Elvis Presley – Amazing Grace (1972)

Elvis Presley’s recordings of gospel music are some of the most beloved and iconic in American popular culture. His 1972 live performance of “Amazing Grace” is among his most celebrated and revered recordings, both for its raw emotion and for its spiritual power.

Recorded at the New York City recording studio RCA Victor Studios on February 16, 1972, “Amazing Grace” was released as a single on April 5, 1972, and included on Elvis’ album He Touched Me. The live performance of “Amazing Grace” captured on this recording is truly a special moment in musical history, and stands as a testament to Elvis Presley’s faith and artistic passion.

Elvis Presley – An American Trilogy (1972)

“An American Trilogy” is a song by composer Mickey Newbury. First recorded in 1971 by American singer-songwriter Elvis Presley, it was released as a single in 1972. The song is a medley of three earlier songs:

“Dixie”, also known as “I Wish I Was in Dixie”, is a popular American song written by Daniel Decatur Emmett in 1859. The song depicts the lives of slaves and the difficulties they face.

“The Battle Hymn of the Republic”, also known as “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” outside of the United States, is a patriotic American poem written by Julia Ward Howe in 1861. The poem was set to music and became a popular Union marching song during the American Civil War.

“All My Trials”, also known as “Oh Lord, Oh Lord, our Father”, is a traditional Bahamian lullaby which was brought to the United States by Bahamian emigrants. The song has been recorded by many artists, but is most associated with folk singer Pete Seeger.

Elvis Presley – Hawaiian Wedding Song (1972)

“Hawaiian Wedding Song” is a popular song written by Ludwig Gottfried and George David Weiss. The original lyrics to the song told the story of a couple’s wedding day in Hawaii, but the song has since been adapted for use in Christian weddings, with the author’s blessing. Elvis Presley recorded a version of the song in 1972, which was featured on his album Aloha from Hawaii: Via Satellite.

Elvis Presley – My Heavenly Father (1973)

“My Heavenly Father” is a song written by Dallas Frazier and recorded by Elvis Presley in 1973. It was recorded at RCA’s Hollywood studios on March 27, 1973 and released as a single in May 1973. The song peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The song is a gospel ballad with Elvis Presley’s signature baritone vocals backed by piano and strings. The lyrics express Presley’s faith in God and his desire to be closer to Him.

“My Heavenly Father” was recorded during a session for Presley’s album Elvis (1973), but ultimately did not make the final cut for the album. The song was released as a single in May 1973 with “For the Heart” on the B-side. It peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it one of Presley’s highest-charting gospel songs.

The song was included on the 1995 compilation album The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Gospel Album.

Elvis Presley – Lead Me, Guide Me (1973)

“Lead Me, Guide Me” is a song written by Doris Akers and first recorded by her in 1962. Elvis Presley included a version on his 1973 album, Gospel Music of Elvis Presley, Vol. 2, which was recorded on June 27, 1971.

Elvis Presley – You’ll Never Walk Alone (1973)

Recorded in Nashville on February 20, 1973, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” was released as the lead single from Elvis Presley’s gospel album, Peace in the Valley. The song hit number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number two on the Easy Listening chart, becoming Presley’s last top 40 hit during his lifetime. The live performance of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from his March 20, 1973 concert at Madison Square Garden was included as a bonus track on the 2001 reissue of the album.

Elvis Presley – Help Me Make It Through the Night (1974)

“Help Me Make It Through the Night” is a song written by Kris Kristofferson and recorded by Elvis Presley in 1974. A country ballad, it was Presley’s seventeenth #1 hit on the Country charts. According to Kristofferson, he had come up with the song while driving from Kentucky to Nashville in May 1970, and he recorded a rough demo version of it with his friend Jim Casey on a cassette recorder.

Elvis Presley – How Great Thou Art (1974)

Elvis Presley recorded “How Great Thou Art” in February 1957 at Radio Recorders in Hollywood. The single was not released in the United States until 1965, when it was included on the album How Great Thou Art. In 1974, Presley won a Grammy Award for Best Sacred Performance for his recording of the song.

Elvis Presley – If That Isn’t Love (1974)

Elvis Presley – If That Isn’t Love (1974) is a live album by American singer and musician Elvis Presley, released on RCA Records in December 1974. It was recorded at the Ellis Auditorium in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 20, 1974. The album comprises four gospel songs: “Help Me”, “How Great Thou Art”, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus”.

Elvis Presley – You Gave Me a Mountain (1974)

“You Gave Me a Mountain” is a song written by American country music singer Marty Robbins. It was released as a single in May 1972 and included on his album Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs. It reached number 16 on the Hot Country Singles chart.

The song is about a man who has lost everything and is now at the end of his rope. He recalls all the pain and hardship that he has endured in his life, but concludes that despite it all, he is still standing.

Elvis Presley recorded a cover of “You Gave Me a Mountain” in 1974. His version was released as a single and reached number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was also included on his album Promised Land.

Elvis Presley – Crying in the Chapel (1975)

“Crying in the Chapel” is a song written by Art Rodgers and Bill Shirley in 1953. The song was originally recorded by Darrell Glenn in 1953. Elvis Presley recorded the song in 1960 for his gospel album His Hand in Mine, but it was not released until 1963, as a single backed with “Who Am I?” from the same album, His Hand in Mine. The single reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number one on the Easy Listening chart.