Archives for August 14, 2015

Missing Elvis: Ten songs Elvis should have recorded, but didn’t

Missing Elvis,

During an incredible career cut short by an early death at age 42, Elvis recorded about 700 songs.

Despite being so prolific, there are many other songs we would have liked to hear him sing.

Elvis wasn’t just the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. With his amazing versatility, he was also a master of pop ballads, country, R&B, and gospel.

We have listed 10 songs, including at least one from each of these genres that we believe he should have recorded.

Only the Lonely: According to legend, the great Roy Orbison was intending to offer Elvis this song, but the Memphis resident was unavailable when Roy drove through town. So Roy recorded it himself in 1960 and it became his first huge hit. Because Elvis had great respect for Roy, he didn’t cover any of his songs. You can get some idea of how Elvis would have handled the song by listening to Ronnie McDowell’s 1990 version.

Twelfth of Never: Johnny Mathis’ major 1957 hit would have been a good addition to Elvis’ list of recordings. His 1974 unpolished rehearsal of the song exists and makes clear a studio recording would have produced an appealing, easy-listening version that would be appreciated by lovers everywhere.

It’s Just a Matter of Time: This gem, recorded in 1959 by silky smooth Brook Benton, was Brook’s first major hit, and also arguably his best. It has been covered by many pop and country singers, and should have been part of Elvis’ catalog. It would have been especially good as a 1970s recording, when Elvis’ baritone voice had become deeper.

Bring It On Home: While this 1962 Sam Cooke song featuring Lou Rawls doing backup vocals wasn’t his most popular hit, it was certainly one of his most soulful. Elvis’ natural feel for soul would carry the song, just as it did in his cover of Jerry Butler’s “Only the Strong Survive.” We can close our eyes and hear Kathy Westmoreland and the Sweet Inspirations singing “Yeah, yeah” at the end of the verses.  More