Every Song Elvis Presley Performed In The 1968 Comeback Special

Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley is Netflix's newest musical documentary, examining Elvis's tumultuous career and highlighting some of the songs he performed in his famous 1968 comeback special. The 1968 Elvis comeback special was a pivotal moment in his career, seeing him return to the stage after years of working in the film industry at the request of his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Feeling dissatisfied with the lack of artistry in his movies, the special was a return to form for the iconic singer.

Though some of Elvis Presley's best movies, such as Viva Las Vegas, are considered classics, Elvis is known best in pop culture history for his influence on music. The 2022 biopic, Elvis, examines the toxic relationship between the star and Tom Parker, who pushed him toward his more commercial appeal. With great music from bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones dominating the industry, the 1968 special was a make-or-break moment for Elvis, and he put on a legendary show.

20 Trouble (1958)

Album: King Creole

"Trouble" is an Elvis Presley blues song from the 1958 film King Creole, which Elvis cited as the favorite role he played in his acting career. The song was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and was later covered by various other musical artists. He opened with the song as a way to remind audiences of his sexy, provocative image.

19 Guitar Man (1967)

Album: Guitar Man

The song "Guitar Man" was originally released by artist Jerry Reed, who wrote and recorded the song as a country hit. Shortly after, Elvis recorded a version of the song, with Reed playing guitar, and re-released it in January 1968. "Guitar Man" isn't one of Presley's most famous songs, but it helped enforce the idea of "Trouble" in their combined medley in the 1968 special, highlighting a moodier side of the artist.

18 Lawdy Miss Clawdy (1952)

Album: Lawdy Miss Clawdy (Single)

"Lawdy Miss Clawdy" is a song originally written and recorded by New Orleans artist Lloyd Price and is highlighted as one of the influences on Elvis Presley's career. The song was one of the top R&B releases of the year, and is on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll."

17 Baby What You Want Me to Do (1959)

Album: Baby What You Want Me to Do (Single)

"Baby What You Want Me To Do" is a blues song written and recorded by Jimmy Reed in 1959. Elvis Presley's performance of this song in the '68 Comeback Special was a notable reminder of his roots in blues and R&B music. The song was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 2004.

16 Heartbreak Hotel (1956)

Album: Heartbreak Hotel (Single)

"Heartbreak Hotel" is an Elvis Presley original released as a single in 1956. The song was written by Mae Boren Axton and Tommy Durden and was recorded with Presley's band, the Blue Moon Boys. Iconic musicians like George Harrison, John Lennon, Keith Richards, and Robert Plant have all cited "Heartbreak Hotel" as an influential song in their lives.

15 Hound Dog (1953)

Album: Hound Dog (Single)

"Hound Dog" is a blues song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, which was originally recorded by Big Mama Thornton. Elvis Presley's 1956 rendition is perhaps the most well-known version of the song, which has been recorded over 250 times. In Rolling Stone's 2021 list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, "Hound Dog" was ranked 318.

14 All Shook Up (1957)

Album: All Shook Up (Single)

"All Shook Up" is a song composed by Otis Blackwell and originally performed by Elvis Presley. In April 1957, the song topped the United States Top 100 music billboard. On Rolling Stone's 2004 edition of their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list, "All Shook Up" was ranked 352.

13 Can't Help Falling in Love (1961)

Album: Blue Hawaii

"Can't Help Falling in Love" was written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and George David Weiss and was recorded by Elvis Presley in 1961. The song is part of the movie and album Blue Hawaii and is still one of Presley's most popular and well-known songs. It was subsequently covered by many iconic musical artists, including Bob Dylan.

12 Jailhouse Rock (1957)

Album: Jailhouse Rock

"Jailhouse Rock" is another classic Elvis Presley song, written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller for the 1957 film of the same name. Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time included "Jailhouse Rock" at number 67, and it's still regarded as one of Presley's most iconic works.

11 Love Me Tender (1956)

Album: Love Me Tender

"Love Me Tender" is a song written by Ken Darby and originally recorded by Elvis Presley. The song was written for the 1956 film of the same name, which was released one month after Elvis performed the song on The Ed Sullivan. Aside from its original movie, "Love Me Tender" has been used in dozens of films, from Die Hard 2 to Wild at Heart to The Princess Diaries 2.

10 Where Could I Go But to the Lord? (1967)

Album: How Great Thou Art

"Where Could I Go But To The Lord?" was one of the songs in Elvis Presley's eighth album, How Great Thou Art, and was written by James B. Coats. The gospel album was released in the mid-60s as a result of Presley's declining success in the film industry. The song is one of the faster-paced in the album.

9 Up Above My Head (1948)

Album: Up Above My Head (Single)

"Up Above My Head I Hear Music In The Air" was a gospel song originally recorded by The Southern Sons. However, the best-known version was released in 1948 by Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight. The song was paired with "Where Could I Go But to the Lord?" and "Saved" in the gospel medley of the '68 Comeback Special.

8 Saved (1961)

Album: Where No One Stands Alone

"Saved" is a gospel song originally recorded by LaVern Baker in 1961. The song was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and was later included in the '68 Comeback Special to represent Elvis Presley's return to his R&B roots. It was included in the 2018 compilation album Where No One Stands Alone.

7 Blue Christmas (1948)

Album: Elvis' Christmas Album

"Blue Christmas" is a holiday-themed song written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson and was first recorded by Doye O'Dell in 1948. However, it was made famous by Elvis Presley and his 1957 Christmas album. "Blue Christmas" is still one of Presley's most popular songs, and it's his quintessential holiday season hit.

6 One Night (1956)

Album: One Night (Single)

"One Night" is a song written by Dave Bartholomew, Pearl King, and Anita Steiman and was originally recorded by Smiley Lewis in 1956. The song then found greater commercial success when recorded by Elvis in 1958. The Elvis Presley version reached number one in the UK Singles Chart and number four in the US.

5 Memories (1968)

Album: Memories (Single)

"Memories" was written by Billy Strange and Mac Davis specifically for the comeback special and was one of the songs he played for the first time that evening. The song reflects on years past, making it important for the special, which examined eras and genres of Presley's career. The song has been described as a "hallmark of Elvis' later period."

4 Nothingville (1968)

Album: Let Yourself Go

"Nothingville" is another song that Elvis premiered in the '68 Comeback Special. The song is credited to Billy Strange and Mac Davis in the soundtrack album that accompanied the special. It came in a medley with "Big Boss Man," "Little Egypt," and replays of "Guitar Man" and "Trouble." The individual song itself is rather short and meant to be part of the larger medley.

3 Big Boss Man (1960)

Album: Big Boss Man (Single)

"Big Boss Man" is a blues song written by Luther Dixon and Al Smith, which was recorded by Jimmy Reed in 1960. The song was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1990 and is included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll." Elvis performed the song as part of a medley in the comeback special.

2 Little Egypt (1962)

Album: Coast Along with the Coasters

"Little Egypt" is another song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, which was recorded by the Coasters in 1962. It was then covered by Elvis first in the film Roustabout and its accompanying album before he covered it in a medley for the 1968 comeback special. The song has also been covered by the iconic singer Cher.

1 If I Can Dream (1968)

Album: Elvis

"If I Can Dream" is perhaps the most iconic song from the 1968 NBC Comeback Special. It was originally written by Walter Earl Brown, noted for its similarities to Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech from 1963. In 1968, Elvis Recorded the song in June, just two months after King was assassinated and weeks after Robert Kennedy was assassinated. His performance in the '68 special is considered one of the most emotional, soulful performances of his entire career.

Both Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley and 2022's Elvis biopic highlight the performance of this song as a pivotal moment in Elvis Presley's life and career. The song and its meaning were the culmination of Elvis Presley's efforts on that night to try to reclaim his career as an artist.