In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of his departure... "That's All Right" (Released July 19, 1954; #112 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time) "Heartbreak Hotel" (Charted Mar. 3, 1956; #1 US the weeks of Apr. 21 through June 23, 1956 [various pre-Hot 100 charts]; #1 Country; #3 R&B; #2 UK; #45 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time) "Hound Dog" (Charted Aug. 4, 1956; #1 US the weeks of Aug. 18 through Nov. 10, 1956 [various pre-Hot 100 charts]; #1 Country; #1 R&B; #2 UK; #19 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time) "Jailhouse Rock" (Charted Oct. 14, 1957; #1 US the weeks of Oct. 21 through Dec. 16, 1957 [various pre-Hot 100 charts]; #1 Country; #1 R&B; #1 UK; #67 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time) "Suspicious Minds" (Charted Sept. 13, 1969; #1 US the week of Nov. 1, 1969; #4 AC; #2 UK; #91 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time) _______
In addition to "Jailhouse Rock," which was covered in the opening post, my personal choices were: "Too Much" (Charted Jan. 26, 1957; #1 US the weeks of Feb. 9 through Feb. 23 and Mar. 9, 1957 [various pre-Hot 100 charts]; #3 Country; #3 R&B; #6 UK) "Burning Love" (Charted Aug. 19, 1972; #2 US; #7 UK) I also love his Christmas stuff to death, but tend to compartmentalize it in the appropriate season.
I've found that over time I favor his slow, crooneresque songs over his rock-and-roll hits. "Suspicious Minds" is fantastic, as is "Love Me Tender"
I like his earlier stuff, both the fast and the slow songs. At that time they felt more raw, more authentic. Kor