One Too Many Rumors
...by Shane Paterson
This is a list of songs I've accumulated over the past 20 years or so that Elvis is rumored to have recorded, or done live, or both. For the most part, I have attempted to exclude songs that I KNOW exist and might become available, such as many that I've managed to confirm were done on stage 1969-77 (either through hearing it on a concert tape, or through concert info provided by others who have the show on tape, or through looking at old newspapers). I have included a very few exceptions -- so noted -- because I haven't heard those songs for myself and I'm not sure how likely their existence is.
If you haven't seen much of this type of thing before, you'll be amazed at the sheer volume of material that Elvis is said to have recorded. Enough for a box set or two. I honestly doubt that most of the claims are true. However, if even a very small percentage turn out to be based in reality, we could have ourselves an album or two of new songs (as opposed to "new" alternate versions or takes of a song, which is a whole other story).
Some of the songs below may be on the list because, somewhere along the way, somebody wished that Elvis had recorded a certain song. Here's a few other possible ways that the number of "never-before-heard" songs could have become so inflated:
1. RCA or a film company uses several working titles for a song -- an example is that "Fall in Love With You" is the title on MGM's acetate of "Anyone."
2. RCA misidentifies a song - for example, in 1972 some Bozo failed to recognize a live recording of the classic "Reconsider, Baby" and titled it "A Blues Jam". DUH! Who were they letting near these tapes?
3. A newspaper reporter, or any other source, makes a mistake (on the other hand, maybe it really IS a new song) -- this is probably one of the major ways in which a new song is "created." For example, the 8/8/63 Memphis Press-Scimitar mentioned that Elvis and Ann Margret did a song called "Love You, Baby" for "Viva Las Vegas". It might have been "C'mon Everybody", though that's still kind of a stretch. The 10/29/57 Los Angeles Examiner, in a review of the manic Pan-Pacific concerts the night before, mentioned the songs "Dreamy Eyes" and "Be Woman Blues" (on which Elvis played piano). These must be "Treat Me Nice" (with the patented Elvis slurring of the words put to good effect) and "Mean Woman Blues". Given the noise level and general pandemonium of a '50s Elvis concert, and the fact that many of these concert critics were not very familiar with that kind of music, it's understandable how such mistakes could arise. Another example that springs to mind is a 1957 concert review that mentions a song, called "Buttercup," that I am sure has to be "All Shook Up" (which includes that word quite prominently), and that revelation led me to question the authenticity of the 1957 live song "Butterfly" until I found out it was a song attributed to a couple of songwriters that actually did exist. For the record, I haven't seen "Buttercup", "Love You, Baby","Dreamy Eyes", or "Be Woman Blues" on anyone's list of unreleased Elvis tunes.
4. another recording artist, using the same studio on an alternating basis with Elvis, might somehow mess up things as far as matrix numbers go, and introduce titles into the session notes which were not done by Elvis. I'm not sure how this could happen, but anything's possible.
5. a demo record is made for Elvis but, after listening to it on the studio speakers, he declines to record the song. Then, either the song gets listed in the studio notes somehow, or the voice in the demo disk, which falls into the hands of collectors, is mistaken for Elvis, I suspect that this has happened a lot and contributed significantly to this list.
6. the backing track for a song (this wouldn't apply to the '50s sessions) is laid down and Elvis never records a vocal.
7. sloppy session notes allow plenty of room for imaginations to run wild (which explains why there are a plethora of titles supposedly recorded at Sun).
8. a music folio, or similar, comes out which includes titles Elvis was not known to have recorded -- the classic example is the 1955 "The Elvis Presley Album of Jukebox Favorites," which included 11 songs now rumored to have been recorded while Elvis was at Sun. Although these songs were undoubtedly added by the publisher as padding for the four Elvis songs included, it is nevertheless possible that some of them were recorded or done live. I have also seen songs like "Sixteen Tons" (which Elvis owned the publishing rights to), "Please Help Me, I'm Falling," and "Hello, Mary Lou" in Elvis song folios.
9. a scheduled recording session is cancelled and notes remain on what was to be recorded -- surprisingly, none (as far as I can tell) of the songs that were set for these non-events have made it on to this list, which I suppose is a good sign.
10. more than one song is submitted for certain movie scenes (the songwriters basically competed to write songs for the scenes described to them, or with a specific title) but Elvis only records one -- alternately, Elvis may well have recorded more than one song that shared the same title on occasion.
By the way, I'm not a complete skeptic, I just don't want to be disappointed when it turns out that Elvis never recorded "Since I Met You, Baby" (incidentally, that's not a song that's on the list, but its appearance in the excellent Elvis TV series a while back, and in the abysmal "Elvis And The Beauty Queen," could get it a place even in the absence of other evidence, and it's quite possible Elvis did record this tailor-made song...its first cousin -- "I Almost Lost My Mind" -- IS on this list). On the other hand, I wouldn't be disappointed at all if it turns out that Elvis never turned his vocal cords on "Feelings" (which IS on the list, and is one of the more likely candidates). The number of unreleased Beatles songs that turn up on record (bootleg) these days give us hope that quite a few of the following are songs that Elvis actually did during his career, which was considerably longer than the time the Beatles existed as a group, and that they actually are preserved on tape and will surface on day (probably illegally, the way RCA goes about releasing Elvis material as if they're waiting for the last Elvis fan alive prior to 1977 to die off). The release of a few songs (on bootleg or RCA) over the last decade or so shows that there is always hope that something new, perhaps not even from this list, will show up.
On several occasions during the 1980s, RCA insisted that they had no "new" songs, other than the track "Dominick," and that the only things remaining unreleased were alternate takes of songs already familiar to us from the regular RCA releases. Since then we've had things surface on RCA records like the fast version of "Ain't That Lovin' You, Baby", original versions of other songs that were believed lost ("Beyond The Reef" and "Tomorrow Night"), "Fool, Fool, Fool," "My Happiness," "Hearts Of Stone," "Plantation Rock," "Black Star," "You're The Boss," "A Hundred Years From Now," a studio rehearsal of "It's Different Now," a 1971 studio version of "My Way," a slew of home recordings and rehearsals, and studio jams like "This Time/I Can't Stop Loving You," "Tiger Man," and "Lady Madonna," etc. Some of these songs were previously on this list, though much has come straight out of the blue. A recent example of one of the "lost" songs that has surfaced is Elvis' acetate of "I'll Never Stand In Your Way" (for which I had the following entry: " 1/4/54; recorded at Sun later in 1954 or 55; supposedly bought by Sean O'Neal in 1993 and possibly sold to RCA in January, 1995"...it came out on the "Platinum" set in 1997). "Stagger Lee" and "Cotton Fields" are two recent examples of songs that graduated from the list to reality (via bootleg release of a 1970 rehearsal) and a few of the others that made the leap into reality and availability are mentioned elsewhere in this listing.
The slow version of "Stay Away," also on this list previously, has since been released by bootleggers and by at least one of RCA-BMG's international branches. Bootleggers and the archives of private collectors indicate that there's even more, and it may turn out that rehearsals, in addition to taped studio jams, may provide the richest yield of songs we haven't heard Elvis do in any form to date -- "Alla En El Rancho Grande" and "Froggy Went A-Courtin'" are but two examples. One song that was on this list -- "Wings of An Angel" (a.k.a. "The Prisoner's Song") -- recently appeared on a bootleg, and was a studio jam from 1968. Elvis' normal way of conducting business in the studio was to do a lot of jamming before formal recording and between takes -- leading to him walking out of the studio in 1957 when an executive insisted it was about time Elvis quit messing around with gospel songs and get started on recording of the "Jailhouse Rock" soundtrack.
In 1977 RCA released the album "Moody Blue," which included (more as "padding," supposedly) the live songs "Little Darlin'," "If You Love Me," and "Unchained Melody," as well as a re-release of the 3/20/74 Memphis version of "Let Me Be There." Why they would do this if they had access to all the studio-recorded songs rumored to remain unreleased from the '70s (for that matter, some that have subsequently been released by RCA) remains a mystery. "There's A Fire Down Below," for example, was recorded at the same sessions as "Way Down" (etc.) and it is possible Elvis recorded a vocal track, depending upon who you believe. The fact that RCA released such an album doesn't give much credence to the possibility of a number of '70s songs remaining unreleased. On the other hand, RCA's release policies never did make a whole lot of sense. The same goes for the amateur-recorded "America, The Beautiful" and "Softly As I Leave You" released in 1978: it's now looking like RCA has their hands (or can easily GET their hands) on studio-quality tapes made from the soundboard at many, if not most (all?) of Elvis' concerts 1969-77. More and more of these excellent tapes are surfacing among collectors and on recent bootlegs -- whether RCA had them in 1977 and 1978 is another story, perhaps, but they definitely have at least some of the tapes now and they must contain a wealth of unreleased performances and even the occasional "one-off" song like "Aubrey," "You're My Reason For Living," or "When The Snow Is On The Roses."
NOTE: I've linked some RealAudio songs and photographs to the text below -- credit goes to the following for these sources (please let me know if I've inadvertantly left someone out due to my less-than-systematic approach to updating pages):
For Elvis Fans Only -- Australia
Elvis World...by Haruo Hirose
Please see my main Elvis page for links to more of the RealAudio files and photos linked into the body of this text -- you can visit some of these above sites for endless hours of great Elvis sounds and images.
The songs are listed with all the snippets of information (some conflicting) that I have gathered on them. I have further information and, as if we needed them, a few more titles in some of my possessions in California, but this is the best I can do for now. I do not vouch for the authenticity of most of the information for each song -- I've basically put down everything I know to be rumored and have commented when it seems like a claim is particularly strong or especially weak. If anyone has any further information, I'd love to hear from you. Here we go:
1954-1955 Sun studios, Louisiana Hayride, on tour
Old Shep - 10/3/44 Mississippi-Alabama State Fair; 9-year-old Elvis broadcast on WELO radio in Tupelo -- who knows, maybe there was a tape made; later in October or November of the same year on WELO with Mississippi Slim on guitar
Till I Waltz With You Again - 1953
Keep Them Cold Icy Fingers Off Of Me - 1953, when George Klein had Elvis on his WKEM radio show in Memphis -- see below for a note on this one...
Take Your Finger Out Of It, It Don't Belong To You - Memphis 1953 or early 1954; on a KWEM broadcast from a mall with Paul Burlison (one of the Johnny Burnette Trio) and Shelby Fowler's band -- see below for a note on this one...
Talkin' 'bout Your Birthday Cake - Memphis 1953 or early 1954; on a KWEM broadcast from a mall with Paul Burlison (one of the Johnny Burnette Trio) and Shelby Fowler's band -- see below for a note on this one...
NOTE: Per Kallin, from Sweden, told me that the above three titles are probably all derived from the same song. The song in question was recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis, for Sun, and included the following lyrics:
wait a minute baby, you made a mistake
I'm talkin' about a birthday cake"
Casual Love Affair - 1/4/54; recorded at Sun later in 1954-55
It Wouldn't Be The Same Without You - flipside of "I'll Never Stand In Your Way" acetate; recorded 1/4/54; a country song performed by Jimmy Wakely; this song has now shown up in poor quality
Without You - June 26, 1954; Sam Phillips' son played it at a university on 8/16/79
Rag Mop - at Sun in 6/54 (when he did "Without You" -- June 26?) or later; some say it was sung before "That's All Right" 7/5/54; included in the 1955 folio "The Elvis Presley Album of Jukebox Favorites"
I'll Never Let You Go - unreleased early versions recorded on July 5 and 6, 1954. Other songs recorded at least once at sessions prior to the one that yielded the familiar version include "Blue Moon" (7/6/54 and one other), "Just Because" (7/6/54), "I'm Left, YouÍre Right, SheÍs Gone" (11/16/54), and "Tomorrow Night" (7/6/54 and one other). "Blue Moon Of Kentucky" (originally recorded 7/6/54) may have been remade on September 10, 1954; "I'll Never Let You Go" and "Tomorrow Night " may also have been part of a taped rehearsal session in January, 1955
Satisfied - 1:15 gospel song recorded at Sun; dates include 9/10/54, 7/5/54 (before "That's All Right", or at some time 7/5-7/54), and 1/6/55 or 9/10/54 between takes of "I'll Never Let You Go"; may well have been recorded on more than one occasion -- July 5 and Sept 10, for instance; may have been part of a taped rehearsal session in January, 1955; in 1987 RCA said they found the master and would release it later in 1987...still waiting for that one (2000 update: looks like they lost it, after all)
2 unknown songs - July 5 or 6, 1954: as you can see, there are plenty of candidates
Always Late (With Your Kisses) - in the 1955 folio "The Elvis Presley Album of Jukebox Favorites"; in 1982 RCA said that Elvis MAY have recorded it in 1955 -- they had session notes but couldn't find a tape; also said to have been recorded during October 25-28, 1954, at KWKH Studios ("The Louisiana Hayride"); recorded by Lefty Frizzell.
I Almost Lost My Mind - Sun; included in the 1955 folio "The Elvis Presley Album of Jukebox Favorites"; recorded by Charlie Rich and others; on the list of potential songs for Elvis to record at the September, 1956 sessions, but there is no indication that he even tried it during the sessions
Tiger Man - Sun, possibly as early as the breakthrough 7/54 sessions; in 8/70 Elvis would sometimes introduce this as "one of my first records" or "my second record" (without the "Mystery Train" part included)
Crying Heart Blues - Sun; Hayride, late 1954; included in the 1955 folio "The Elvis Presley Album of Jukebox Favorites"
Sitting On Top Of The World - November 6, 1954, Louisiana Hayride (his third appearance on the show)
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry - also from the November 6, 1954, Louisiana Hayride show (one of the other songs he did that night was "Fool, Fool, Fool," which was on this list before a 1955 version was released by RCA-BMG and was done live elsewhere at the time, e.g., on the Hayride shows of 11/20/54 and 1/8/55); the extant version was recorded in the studio on 1/31/56
Little Mama - a Clovers song sung during concerts in early 1955; 3/5/55 is one Hayride date given and Elvis also did it in Houston, TX, on 4/2/55
Blue Guitar - 1955 (possibly after 9/55); perhaps done on the Hayride; also said to have been recorded during October 25-28, 1954, at KWKH Studios ("The Louisiana Hayride"); included in the 1955 folio "The Elvis Presley Album of Jukebox Favorites"
Tennessee, Saturday Night - 1955 Hayride; Sun (two takes in July, 1954 or on July 11, 1955); in 1982 RCA said that Elvis recorded it at Sun -- they had session notes but couldn't find a tape; has often been mentioned in newspaper and other sources as being in the possession of collectors who will sell it for a huge amount of money; included in the 1955 folio "The Elvis Presley Album of Jukebox Favorites"; the instrumental version was almost recorded for the 1957 movie "Loving You"
I Need You So - Sun (recorded for RCA 2/23/57); included in the 1955 folio "The Elvis Presley Album of Jukebox Favorites"
Tweedlee Dee - done live in Gladeswater, TX, on December 18, 1954 (and available on record for a while now -- recorded as part of a traveling "Louisiana Hayride" show) but also possible recorded in the studio, at least as a tryout, on July 11, 1955
Give Me More, More, More - Sun; late 1954 Hayride; also said to have been recorded during October 25-28, 1954, at KWKH Studios ("The Louisiana Hayride"); included in the 1955 folio "The Elvis Presley Album of Jukebox Favorites"; recorded by Lefty Frizzel
Oakie Boogie - Sun (12/8/54, 9/10/54, or 8/12/54 - latter date may well come from the non-American standard for writing dates with the day first, month second); live on the Hayride?; in 1982 RCA said that Elvis recorded it in late 1955 -- they had session notes but couldn't find a tape; included in the 1955 folio "The Elvis Presley Album of Jukebox Favorites"
That's The Stuff You Gotta Watch - 1955 Hayride; Sun?; also said to have been recorded during October 25-28, 1954, at KWKH Studios ("The Louisiana Hayride"); included in the 1955 folio "The Elvis Presley Album of Jukebox Favorites"
I Got A Woman - Sun -- maybe 2/5/55; Hayride and on tour (live version exists from Houston, 3/19 or perhaps 1/29/55)
Maybelline - studio version at Sun (live version exists from 8/6, 8/20, or 8/27/55)
How Do You Think I Feel? - Sun; 5/5/55 and/or 12/54; Elvis' band did an instrumental and Elvis can be heard off-mike (I don't have this, but it's available), supposedly from 12/54 -- probably 12/8 or 12/20; don't know if Elvis did a vocal version (may be where the 5/5 date comes from)
I Apologize - Sun; Elvis did a bit before singing an alternate take of "Beyond The Bend", 9/62; also did a snippet of it on stage at Lake Tahoe, 5/27/74 (3AM show)
I Don't Hurt Anymore - Sun
Juanita - Sun; perhaps during studio date on December 8, 1954; on tour in 1955; live in Memphis, 1955 (possible dates: 2/6, 8/5, 11/13, or sometime in December)
The Old Wooden Church, Precious Memories, Known Only To Him, and Just A Closer Walk With Thee - all from 7/4/55, an afternoon show in De Leon, TX, at which Elvis did only gospel songs..he later revisited "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" during a summer, 1958 home recording and did an immaculate studio version of "Known Only To Him" in October, 1960
Love Bug Itch - Sun
Mexican Joe - Sun
Noah - Sun; gospel song
I Really Don't Want To Know - Sun (recorded for RCA 6/7/70)
Little Cabin On The Hill - Sun (done in the "Million Dollar Quartet", 12/56, and recorded for RCA on 6/4/70)
Down The Line - Sun, late 1955; Buddy Holly song Elvis first heard at the 10/15/55 concert where Buddy and Elvis were on the bill (NOTE: by 11/55 Elvis was an RCA artist, so he'd have had to record it quickly to do it at Sun, and I don't believe any sessions after July have been confirmed anywhere, though "When It Rains, It Really Pours" supposedly comes from a session between August and October of that year)
Gone - Hayride; Sun; included in the 1955 folio "The Elvis Presley Album of Jukebox Favorites"
Night Train To Memphis - Sun; acetate in a safe deposit box in Memphis
Breakin' The Rules - Sun or on tour (Hank Thompson had a hit with it in mid-1954)
Dark As A Dungeon - Sun
You'll Never Walk Alone - Sun (Elvis' idol, Roy Hamilton, had a 1954 hit with it -- Elvis recorded it on 9/11/67 for RCA)
Uncle Penn - Sun? (possible dates mentioned include 9/9/54 and 12/8/54); studio date in 9/54; in 1982 RCA said that Elvis recorded it in late 1955 -- they had session notes but couldn't find a tape; done live 1955-56 including San Francisco, 1955, Richmond, 6/30/56, and the Hayride TV show 5/5/55; song available on old bootleg "Elvis Special" Volumes 1 and 3, but no details; appeared on a 1956 bootleg single; also said to be recorded during October 25-28, 1954, at KWKH Studios ("The Louisiana Hayride")
Tennessee Partner - Sun?; 1955 on tour; San Francisco, 1955
N.B.: with respect to the two songs listed above, I don't have any information about 1955 concerts on the West Coast, though I recall reading in general about the fact that Elvis played there prior to 1956 (maybe in July, August, or September of 1955)
Jingle for Southern Made Doughnuts - 11/6/54 on the Hayride; I believe this may become available soon
Old Shep - Sun (Elvis did it as a child and recorded it in 9/2/56 for RCA)
Rags To Riches - Sun (recorded for RCA in 9/22/70)
Pink Cadillac - live 1954-55; title of a record by Sammy Masters released in 1954; may be newspaper or other mistake referring to Elvis' altered version of "Baby, Let's Play House" being performed on stage; song title attributed to his 12/16/56 Hayride show, which I bet was "Baby, Let's Play House" and may be where the confusion originally arose.
Blues, Stay Away From Me - 12/54 Sun; recorded by someone else but Elvis did background vocals (think this is available on a box set somewhere)
Play a Simple Melody (a.k.a. Won't You Play That Simple Melody) - Sun
Rock Around The Clock - live 1955-1956 on tour and at the Hayride; 9/22/55 Kingsport, TN; 11/19/55 Gladeswater, TX; 12/9/55 Swifton, AR; also scheduled for the September, 1956 session but there is no record of it being attempted in the studio then
Only You - live 1955-1956; 12/9/55 Swifton, AR (Elvis also premiered "Heartbreak Hotel" on this tour, not cutting it in the studio until 1/10/56); 12/17/55 and 1/14/56 on the Hayride; 4/13/56 Amarillo, TX; 4/17/56 Waco, TX; 4/20/56 Ft Worth, TX; 5/14/56 La Crosse, WI
Rockin' Little Sally - Sun
Tryin' To Get To You - unreleased master version at Sun, 2/5 or7/11/55 (released version was recorded 7/11)
Sunshine - Sun, 1955
Tennessee Dancin' Doll - 1954-55
You Are My Sunshine - Sun
Sixteen Tons - live in late 1955 and early 1956; 12/17/55 on the Hayride; also maybe done in the 1960s
From the Sun years, these are the songs I think are most likely to be real and to show up some time (bear in mind that "Fool, Fool, Fool," as well as the two 1953 songs that started it all and "I'll Never Stand In Your Way", were on this list before and were not considered very likely to appear, and that Elvis' limited repertoire might have forced him to sing many different songs at the Hayride and on tour -- the release of "Hearts of Stone," for example, caught me and this list totally by surprise):
It Wouldn't Be The Same Without You
Without You
Rag Mop
Satisfied
Oakie Boogie
Always Late (With Your Kisses)
Tennessee, Saturday Night
Night Train To Memphis
Casual Love Affair
Uncle Penn
Rock Around The Clock
1956-58
I Hear You Knocking - said to have been done live in Orlando, FL on 8/8/56
Blueberry Hill (first song, Elvis on piano), Strange Things Happen (Jerry Lee Lewis), Vacation In Heaven, Tutti Frutti, Will The Circle Be Unbroken, This Train, The Old Rugged Cross, My Isle Of Golden Dreams; I Was There When It Happened - 12/4/56, Million Dollar Quartet
We're Gonna Live It Up - 1957 "Loving You" sessions
Candy Kisses - 1957 "Loving You" sessions; played by Tex Warner's group in the film
Dancing On A Dare - 1957 "Loving You"; sung by Dolores Hart in the film; song often listed in movie books as being in the movie, and could easily give rise to the false impression that Elvis performed it; listed in 1957 newspapers without being credited to either Elvis or Dolores Hart
Detour - 1957 "Loving You"; sung by Dolores Hart in the film; song often listed in movie books as being in the movie, and could easily give rise to the false impression that Elvis performed it
Butterfly - Love/Mann song done live 4/2/57, Buffalo, NY (think Andy Williams recorded this). Alert reader (to borrow from Dave Barry) Robert MacNaughton has told me that Charlie Gracie first did this song, in a style very similar to what Elvis probably would have turned out, and that's what might have confused the Buffalo concert reviewer (he says its similar to "All Shook Up," potentially compounding the confusion). Who knows -- maybe this was pitched to Elvis as a demo, too.
One More Day - 1957 "Jailhouse Rock" (an uptempo version of Mickey Shaughnessy's one); song often listed in movie books as being in the movie, and could easily give rise to the false impression that Elvis performed it
Fools' Hall Of Fame - live 8/31/57, Vancouver, and 9/2/57, Seattle (the later concert attended by young Jimi Hendrix); part of the Vancouver performance has come out on bootleg, so there may be a tape available; a Sun song by Rudi Richardson that Elvis picked up while visiting Sam Phillips in April, 1957; Ernst Jorgensen relates that Elvis announced, during his shows in the Fall of 1957, that it would be his next recording but he did not (bearing in mind that, with these Elvis songs, it's always best to never say never) record it in the studio
Fabulous - 1957? (two versions charted in'57)
Dirty, Dirty Feeling - 1/16/58 or other date during the "King Creole" sessions (track 'P' in the session -- Elvis recorded the released version on 4/4/60)
Muskrat Ramble - 1/16/58 "King Creole" sessions (track 'K' in the session); instrumental -- don't know if it was used in film, and no evidence of Elvis doing a vocal
Bourbon Street - 1/16/58 "King Creole" sessions (track 'L' in the session); instrumental used in film and available on bootleg -- no evidence of Elvis doing a vocal
Cattle Call - live; also may be from 1970 concert (now available on bootleg from 1972 rehearsals and a 7/29/70 version is seen in the video "The Lost Performances"); an excerpt was sung live in Las Vegas on 9/4/70 (DS) a hit in July, 1955
The Great Pretender - live; may also have been recorded (or done live) in 1975; performed live in Las Vegas (excerpt only) 4/1/75 (DS)
Nine Pound Hammer
Who's Sorry Now - also done during Eddie Fadal's home recording of the Summer of 1958
I Played The Fool
Lonely Avenue - recorded in the studio, '50s or early '60s (Ray Charles did it in 1956)
Breathless - 1958 or early '60s
You Turned The Tables On Me
Most likely contenders:
Dirty, Dirty Feeling
Only You
Fools' Hall Of Fame
...and the rest of the Million Dollar Quartet
1960s studio recordings
Twenty Flight Rock
Too Late Too Worry, Too Blue To Cry - may have been done in the studio in the '70s
Guilty
Lonely Avenue - recorded in the studio, '50s or early '60s (Ray Charles did it in 1956)
Breathless - 1958 or early '60s
Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home - 1960s; Donna Butterworth did it in 1965's "Paradise, Hawaiian Style" and Glenda Farrell did "Pappy, Won't You Please Come Home" in 1963 for "Kissin' Cousins"; has been rumored Elvis recorded it for "Paradise, Hawaiian Style", but that's most likely the Donna Butterworth version
Birds Fly High - 1967
Stormy Monday Blues
Jelly Roll King - 1967
Let Me Make Believe - three minute ballad which surfaced in 1995, possibly recorded for Dick Grob in the '70s or recorded in the '60s; sold at the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas in October, 1995; played on German radio
Ecstasy - 1960s (Ben E. King had a 1962 hit with it); Ernst Jorgensen, in his excellent book Elvis Presley: a Life in Music, reports that Freddy Bienstock gave Elvis a demo record of this song for his consideration before the October, 1961 session
Four gospel songs - 1/68
Baby, Let's Play House - a 1968 remake
Jambalaya - 1968; done live in 1975 - 5/4/75 Lake Charles, LA and 6/9/75 Jackson, MS; part also sung live 6/1/75 (AFT) in Huntsville, AL, 6/4/76 in Atlanta, GA, and 7/5/76 in Memphis, TN
Remembering - 1/68; Jerry Reed song?
Love Gone - 1/68
Woman Shy - 1/68
Tiger By The Tail - 1/68; could this be the flipside to Ray Charles' "Crying Time" ("I've Got A Tiger By The Tail")?
Tupelo, Mississippi Flash - 1/68; Jerry Reed recorded this song about Elvis in 1967 and it's possible he and Elvis at least messed around with it during the session -- unlikely that Elvis would release a song about himself, though, at least one that referred to him so directly
N.B.: Elvis rejected a lot of songs at this session (1/15 to 1/17/68), and some of these titles may be included. Also, the presence of Jerry Reed may have inspired Elvis to jam on such songs as "Baby, Let's Play House" and "Jambalaya" -- for evidence of his attitude, check out the "Going Home" out-take on "Collectors' Gold," where Elvis goes into "I Got A Woman" and "Heartbreak Hotel" (the boy was raring to go and ready to go back to live performing)
P.S.: One thing that's always worried me about the change from 10/4/67 to 1/15-17/68 for the recording dates of the "Stay Away, Joe" songs is that Elvis was shooting on location in Arizona from mid-October to mid-November, 1967, without any songs having been recorded. I can see how they might have faked the sets in Hollywood, but "Dominick", which was sung in an outdoor scene, kind of worries me.
Satisfy Me - late '60s; probably "A Little Less Conversation"
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child - scheduled to sing in the 1968 TV Special, but the version aired was by the Blossoms
Hold The Tiger By The Tail - 1969 Memphis (see "Tiger By The Tail", above)
That's All Right - 1969 Memphis remake; quite conceivable as a jam that may have been recorded
Blue Moon Of Kentucky - 1969 Memphis remake; quite conceivable as a jam that may have been recorded (did Elvis really do this song in the 6/27/68 8PM show?...not as far as my ears can tell, though it's been frequently attributed to that session and those who've done so failed to mention that he sang a snippet of "Funny How Time Slips Away" during the show -- he did do the song during jam rehearsals for the June 27 sit-down shows, however)
Son Of The Preacher Man - 1969 Memphis (hard to get around the lyrics for a male singer, though, unless Elvis was kidding around between takes as he so often did)
Two Chuck Berry songs - 1969 Memphis
Come Out, Come Out - XPA5 1144; marked "track only", recorded in the early morning hours of 1/14/69 at two different tempos -- Elvis was on a break to rest his voice (a couple of days later he ended up having to postpone the rest of the January Memphis sessions because of a cold) and apparently never laid down a vocal, moving on instead to the classic "Wearin' That Loved On Look"; one version of the backing track was released on bootleg recently (a slow song with a Southern "swamp" feel); written by Don Thomas and Mike Millius
Poor Man's Gold - a Mac Davis song; XPA5 1150; marked "track only", recorded 1/15/69; a snippet of Elvis' vocal (before he was distracted by a passing siren) was released on the "Suspicious Minds" set in 1999
N.B. : Elvis' recording schedule was thrown off by a throat infection, so it's possible he never got around to putting a vocal down on the above two songs (then again "Hey Jude", which sounds like it was not intended for release, and may have been a studio jam, was also marked "track only")
Memory Revival - XPA5 1277; marked "no master, instead of "track only", so it is conceivable Elvis did a vocal but wasn't happy with the song; backing track recorded 2/22/69 and is available on bootleg -- this is an uptempo song
Best bets for future release:
(your guess is as good as mine)
Movie soundtracks, 1960-69
Whistling Blues - 1960 G.I. Blues; track recorded 4/27/60; unknown if Elvis did vocal -- probably not
Playing With Fire - 3/61 Blue Hawaii; recorded by Terry Stafford (in 1964); mentioned in a 1961 newspaper in a list of songs from the film
Hawaiian Sunrise - 3/61 Blue Hawaii; probably meant to be "Hawaiian Sunset" or an alternate song for the same movie scene
La Paloma - 3/61 Blue Hawaii; probably meant to be "No More", which has the same melody
Love Is For Lovers - 10/26 or 10/27/61 Kid Galahad; duet with a Jordanaire
Potpourri - 3/62 Girls! Girls! Girls!; title may refer to the "Girls!Girls!Girls!/Dainty Little Moonbeams" MEDLEY which closes the film, finally released on record by RCA in the '90s
Twist Me Loose - 3/62 Girls! Girls! Girls!
Five unknown songs - 9/62 It Happened at the World's Fair
Malaguena - 1/23/63 Fun in Acapulco; track recorded, but uncertain whether Elvis did a vocal; versions by Ritchie Valens, Roy Clark, and others are instrumentals, so it may be that no vocal was actually intended
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah - 7/63 Viva Las Vegas; a Leiber-Stoller song
I Never Had It So Good - 3/64 Roustabout; an alternate song for the "One Track Heart" scene; may be the original title of "It's A Wonderful World"
Sands Of Time - 8/65 Paradise Hawaiian Style; alternate title for "Sand Castles" or an alternate song intended for the same (cut, or not even shot) scene?
Now Is The Hour - 8/65 Paradise, Hawaiian Style; track may have been recorded 7/27, but uncertain if Elvis did a vocal
Bivouac - 2/15/66 Spinout; RCA have an acetate of the backing track, which I think was an instrumental used in the movie
Wheel Of Fortune - 9/28 or 9/29/66 Easy Come, Easy Go; this is sure to be an alternate or incorrect title for "The Love Machine" or another song written for that scene, that Elvis (or somebody) rejected
Leave My Woman Alone - 9/29/66 Easy Come, Easy Go; WPA3 1039; backing track but no vocal
Let's Live A Little - 3/7/68 Live a Little, Love a Little; not in session files
Satisfy Me - late '60s; probably "A Little Less Conversation"
We Both Went Our Ways - 8/23/68 (or later) The Trouble with Girls; I bet this is an alternate, incorrect, or working title for "Almost", which contains the lyric
On Wisconsin - 8/23/68 (or later) The Trouble With Girls; sung by a quartet in the movie
Chatauqua - 8/23/68 The Trouble With Girls; a march-tempo version of "Almost"; instrumental done on 8/23/68; may have been used as backing music in the movie, so Elvis may not have ever have been meant to do a vocal
Onward To Victory - 8/23/68 (or later) The Trouble With Girls
You Can't Blame A Guy For Trying - unknown '60s movie
Without You - unknown movie; may be different than the 1954 song of the same name
Those most likely to pop up some time (in my humble opinion):
Whistling Blues
Playing With Fire
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
Now Is The Hour
Leave My Woman Alone
Chatauqua
Home recordings
I'll Be Home - December, 1956 (from the same session that yielded the version of "When The Saints Go Marching In" available on 1997's "Platinum")
Book Of Happiness - 1960s
The Big Hurt - 1960s
Primrose Lane - 1960s
Sixteen Tons - 1960s; also done live in late 1955 and early 1956
Tears On My Pillow - 1960s
and probably many more
I don't know how anyone knows that these songs are supposedly on tape, though some collector out there might have them -- I can only say that "My Heart Cries For You" was on this list and got taken off in 1985 when RCA released it. The moral is that it's possible that these songs, or some of them, will similarly appear from nowhere one day when we least suspect it.
1996 update: 39 tapes of Elvis recording at home (supposedly in stereo) were discovered at Graceland, with 12 of the songs having never been released by Elvis in any form -- RCA will release the "usable" portion of this find in 1997.
...and now for a 1998 update (courtesy of the web pages "The Elvis Tapes" (the information is credited to Joe Tunzi and Ernst Jorgensen). Apparently, the following are known to exist (unless someone's lost some tapes") as home recordings from the '50s, '60s and '70s. These songs do not include tracks from the same home-session tapes that were released on BMG and the FTD label during 1999 -- all are as yet unreleased:
He Knows Just What I Need - April, 1959 or later (Germany); recorded in late 1960
Cool Water - April, 1959 or later (Germany)
His Hand In Mine - April, 1959 or later (Germany); recorded in late 1960
Return To Me - April, 1959 or later (Germany)
Are You Lonesome Tonight - April, 1959 or later (Germany); recorded in April, 1960
Stand By Me - April, 1959 or later (Germany); recorded 1966
Take My Hand, Precious Lord - April, 1959 or later (Germany); original recording in 1957
Oh, Lonesome Me - April, 1959 or later (Germany)
Que Sera, Sera - after April, 1959 (Germany)
Hound Dog - after April, 1959 (Germany)
Send Me Some Lovin' - after April, 1959 (Germany)
You'll Never Walk Alone - Fall, 1960; incomplete; recorded in the studio in 1967
The Lords Prayer - Fall, 1960; also messed with in the studio (1971 -- a version released by RCA-BMG -- and perhaps at other times, between takes) and at several live shows in the '70s
Beyond The Reef - released version from Fall, 1960 -- incomplete; also home-recorded sometime between February, 1966 and early 1967; recorded in the studio in May, 1966 (though not released until 1980)
Lawdy Miss Clawdy - Fall, 1960; incomplete; a home-recorded version of this song from an unknown date was apparently slated for 1985's "A Golden Celebration"; original studio version recorded 1956
Show Me Thy Ways, O Lord - somewhere between February, 1966 and early 1967
Be My Love - somewhere between February, 1966 and early 1967
Baby What You Want Me To Do - somewhere between February, 1966 and early 1967; possible home-recorded in November, 1973, at the Thompsons' house (a June, 1974 recording made at Graceland has recently surfaced on bootleg); several versions done for the 1968 TV Special and later used during his Summer, 1969 Las Vegas engagement
From the same period (somewhere between February, 1966 and early 1967), there is supposedly an hour's worth of tape that includes:
See See Rider - may have been recorded in November, 1973 at the Thompsons' home in Memphis, but may also be part of a June, 1974 home-recording session done at Graceland (some of which has recently been released on bootleg); first done live in 1970, this song was a fixture in most of Elvis' concerts from February, 1972 on (with the exception of the June, 1972 tour and a few scattered later shows where Elvis opened with such exotica as "Big Boss Man" (8/19/74), a medley of "That's All Right" and "See See Rider" (8/19/75) or flashed back to "That's All Right" (7/24/75 and 5/3/77)
That's All Right - November, 1973 (Thompsons' house) or maybe June, 1974 (Graceland); originally recorded way back at the beginning of it all, in July, 1954
Spanish Eyes - November, 1973 (Thompsons' house) or maybe June, 1974 (Graceland); a home-recorded version from April, 1974 (Palm Springs) has come out on bootleg...possibly two versions, actually; studio version recorded in December, 1973; sung live at most or all of his first 1974 Las Vegas season and on a couple of later 1974 shows
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - possibly in November, 1973 (Thompsons' house); the June, 1974 version has come out on bootleg; originally done for the two "Aloha" concerts in 1973 and performed at a couple of shows in the subsequent Vegas season (1/26/73 and 2/15/73, and maybe others)p> Let Me Be The One - April, 1974, in Palm Springs; Elvis sings partial bass lead, backed by Voice
It's Now Or Never - unknown date on this home recording, which was apparently slated for 1985's "A Golden Celebration"; originally recorded in April, 1960
Elvis and the Beatles, August 27, 1965 (10 PM-2 AM)
I Feel Fine - Elvis on bass guitar
You're My World
See See Rider
There may well be a tape (supposedly -- though it depends on who you ask, somebody told me they had heard part of a conversation between Elvis and the Beatles from the recording made that night) but I have no idea whether any music was recorded. If it was, the bulk may be instrumental rather than vocal. Even if the tape consists of nothing more than talk, I hope this one is a real possibility.
1969-1977 live and rehearsals, 1970-1976 studio
Too Late Too Worry, Too Blue To Cry - may have been done in the studio in the '60s
Ring Of Bright Water - live 8/69 (part only)
Rock Of Ages - live 8/69
Land Of 1000 Dances - live 8/69
Bad Moon Rising - live 8/69
Goodnight, My Love - live 8/69 (part only)
Born To Lose - live 8/69 (part only); may be 1969 rehearsal; live '70s; a British fan told me in the early '80s that he had a 1969 rehearsal of this song on tape
Hooked On A Feeling - live 8/69; live or studio, 1970
When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano - live 1969 or 1970; part sung 2/3/70 (DS) in Las Vegas; recorded by the Ink Spots and Billy Ward and His Dominoes
House Of The Rising Sun - live 1969-1971
Chain Gang - 8/69 live (part only); live '70s
Lodi - 1/26/70 Las Vegas opening show: mentioned in an error in 2/7/70 "Billboard" magazine which reviewed the opening show -- the correct title was "Proud Mary" (both are Creedence songs); rumors that it was done live 1969-71, but the one instance where it is in print (as mentioned) is wrong; article reads: "...Tony Joe White's "Polk Salad Annie" and "Lodi"...", which not only confuses the song, but also credits it to the wrong composer
Funky Feeling, Funny Feeling - 1970 (see next listing)
Funny Feeling - live 11/14/70 Los Angeles; probably the same song as above; Variety (11/25/70) review of the show lists it as a "contemporary ballad", and I am certain it was a misidentification of "Funny How Time Slips Away", which Elvis did that night (my tape of the concert is not great sound, but good enough that I'm certain this is a falsely rumored song); Bobby Darin did a song called "That Funny Feeling" which may be a candidate but I doubt it was done on that date (for one thing, a brief one-liner is unlikely to rate a mention in the newspaper, though "Everybody Loves Somebody" (Elvis didnÍt even sing the whole of the first word!) did when he did it on 1/26/70
Funky Fingers - 6/6/70; ZPA4 1611; RCA says this is not an Elvis track
Your Song - 6/6/70; ZPA4 1612; RCA says this is not an Elvis track; probably not the Elton John song of the same name
N.B.: following the 1995 release of "A Hundred Years From Now", one has to wonder how RCA managed to omit that particular song from their session records. Perhaps there is hope that some of the songs on this list were similarly overlooked -- if not, as the 1995 "Walk A Mile In My Shoes" set shows, between-take jams may be fertile ground for unreleased performances.
Holly Holy -1970; part sung live in Las Vegas 8/21/70 (MS), a show attended by Neil Diamond (Elvis introduced him); Ernst Jorgensen said that Glen Hardin wrote an arrangement for the song before the January-February, 1970 Las Vegas season, so Elvis may have also rehearsed it then
It's Only Make Believe - 1970
The Tips Of My Fingers - 1970; recorded by Roy Clark
The Twelfth Of Never - live 1970; now released by RCA as a rehearsal from 1974 (8/16/74); also rehearsed for the January, 1973 "Aloha" shows and the August, 1973 Las Vegas season
Lonely Teardrops - live 1970
N.B.: the two songs above, along with the Sun "Uncle Penn", appeared on the '70s bootleg "Elvis Special", Volumes 1&3. I believe that these are really Elvis, live at the International, perhaps in August. On Vol 3 two other tracks are listed -- "Stage Fright" and "Venue". Any information on what these are would be appreciated, but I suspect that they're bits of dialog, perhaps even taken from the "Elvis On Tour" soundtrack, rather than actual songs. Just another way that this list could be even more inflated than it already is!
You Are My Good-Looking Woman - 1970; both Muddy Waters and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown recorded a blues song called "Good Looking Woman", which is a possible candidate for this rumored tune's real identity
Rainy Night In Georgia - 1970 studio; scheduled for the studio in January, 1977, but Elvis never showed at the session; 1970 live (part only); big hit in 1970; snippet in "Elvis On Tour"
Cattle Call - live 1970 (part sung 9/4/70 Las Vegas DS); also may be from '50s concert (now available on bootleg from 3/30/72 rehearsals, and also done during the July 29, 1970 rehearsals seen on "The Lost Performances" video)
Detroit City - live 1970 (part only); sung live at 9/11/70 Detroit show
Close To You - 9/14/70 Mobile, AL; possibly sung live 9/10/70 St Louis
Keep On Chooglin' - live '70s, probably 1970-71; another Creedence song
Walking Down The Line - 1971
Three Good Reasons - 1971
Say You Love Me One More Time - 1971
One Too Many Mornings - 1971 (a.k.a. "One Too Many Rumors") (Bob Dylan song)
All I Really Want To Do - live or studio, 1971 (Bob Dylan song)
It Ain't Me, Babe - live and/or studio, 1971 (Bob Dylan song)
She Belongs To Me - live and/or studio, 1971 (Bob Dylan song); also recorded by Ricky Nelson and Leon Russell, two singers Elvis liked a lot
Like A Rolling Stone - 1971 (Bob Dylan song)
Subterranean Homesick Blues - studio 1971 (Bob Dylan song)
If Not For You - 1971 studio (Bob Dylan song)
Mr Tambourine Man - live 1971 (Bob Dylan song)
Blowin' In the Wind - live and/or studio, 1971 (Bob Dylan song); part sung live in Las Vegas 9/7/70 closing show; 1966 home-recorded version released by RCA in 1997
N.B.: most of these Bob Dylan songs are usually said to have been recorded in May, 1971, in the Nashville studios. It is quite possible that Elvis was on a Bob Dylan kick and broke up the Christmas recordings with a Bob Dylan jam session (if not actually recording what would have essentially have been an "Elvis sings Dylan" album!). "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" comes from just such a jam session, so maybe there's some truth here. The existence of "I Shall Be Released", a snippet of which has been released on the '70's box set, also lends credence to the possibility that Elvis may have done a Dylan jam at these sessions. Regardless, 1971 seems to have been a year in which Elvis was really into folk music
Jingle Bells - 1971; probably studio, 5/15 or 5/16/71; instrumental version done by band during the closing show, 4/1/75, in Las Vegas (no Elvis vocal); small part sung live in Las Vegas 12/6/76
Merry Christmas, Darling - 1971; probably studio, 5/15 or 5/16/71; 1970s studio
Silent Night - 1971 studio remake; probably 5/15 or 5/16/71
Me And Bobby McGee - 1971 studio
Jody And The Kid - 1971
Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again) - 1971
The Ghetto - 1971
N.B.: Me And Bobby McGee", "Jody And The Kid", and "Loving Her Was Easier Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again" (and "The Ghetto", I think) are Kris Kristofferson songs (Elvis recorded another of his compositions, "Help Me Make It Through The Night", on 5/17/71, and "For The Good Times" the following March)
My Garden Of Prayer - 1971; maybe intended for the "He Touched Me" LP
Alone Again, Naturally - live 1972
I Can See Clearly Now - live from 1972 or later; original by Johnny Nash in 1972
What Does It Matter? - Iive 1972; I would bet this is "Never Been To Spain"
Portrait Of My Love - live 1972; available on a bootleg from a 1969 or 1970 (perhaps it is 1972) rehearsal; also rehearsed for the August, 1973 Las Vegas season
El Paso - Marty Robbins song done live 1972 (perhaps 11/10 in El Paso); 1972 rehearsal available on bootleg; part sung live 6/4/76 Atlanta, GA
My Love For You - live 1972
Mickey Mouse Club March - live 1972; subsequently done on stage on 4/1/75 (Las Vegas closing show), 5/2/75 (Atlanta, GA evening show), 5/9/76 (Lake Tahoe closing show), 5/30/76 (Odessa, TX), and probably on other occasions
Burning Love #2 - no idea, but I remember it being listed on the bootleg "To Know Him Is To Love Him", which did not contain a different version of the song; has to be some weird notation for the 1972 classic "Burning Love"
American Trilogy - '70s studio version; possible that a collector who had the 3/30/72 rehearsal tapes, which includes this song, was referring to it (now available on bootleg) rather than some other studio recording of the song
Separate Ways - 1/14/73 after the "Aloha" concert, to go with other songs in the US TV version
A Shoulder To Cry On - 1973; Charley Pride recorded a song with this title
Don't Let The Sunshine Fool You - 1973; recorded by Townes Van Zandt
No Lonesome Tune - 1973; recorded by Townes Van Zandt
Snow Don't Fall - 1973; recorded by Townes Van Zandt
NB: In 1973, Elvis supposedly recorded three Roy Wood compositions (I believe this is attributable directly to a quote by Wood, a British singer-songwriter), which may be the three Townes Van Zandt songs above, going by my vague recollection of seeing Wood's and Van Zandt's names linked somewhere. It is possible that Roy Wood merely had demos sent to Elvis, for his consideration, in 1973.
Let Me Make Believe - three minute ballad which surfaced in 1995, possibly recorded for Dick Grob in the '70s or recorded in the '60s; sold at the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas in October, 1995; played on German radio
Carolyn - 1973 live or studio; July 1973 studio; Steve Wynn recorded a song of this title...don't know if it's the one; Merle Haggard also recorded a song called "Carolyn"
Good, Bad, But Beautiful - CPA5 4770; track recorded 7/24/73; written by Clive Westlake, who also wrote (in addition to "It's A Matter Of Time" and other songs for Elvis) "It's Diff'rent Now", which Elvis gives a preliminary run-through at this session, released on the 1995 '70s box set
Color My Rainbow - CPA5 4771; track recorded 7/25/73; written by Mark James, who also delivered "Burning Love"
The Wonders You Perform - CPA5 4773; track recorded 7/25/73; written by Jerry Chestnut
N.B.: All three songs above were recorded by the second of two bands on the July session, and Elvis had left the studio -- no evidence of vocal tracks being laid for these songs, though they were for "Sweet Angeline" (9/24/73 in Elvis' Palm Springs home). On the other hand, a rehearsal of "It's Diff'rent Now" was not listed for the session, but a vocal exists -- from this apparently chaotic session, perhaps the only chance of any of the three songs above showing up is in rehearsal form.
Christmas songs - July, 1973
A Blues Jam - live 1972-73; RCA misnamed "Reconsider, Baby" from the 6/10/72 afternoon show in New York City, which was scheduled to be on the 1973 "Elvis ('Fool')" LP; Elvis performed this live in 1969 (maybe just once), 1972, 1976, and 1977
Are You Sincere - live in August 1973, which would pre-date the recorded 9/24/73 version
Brown Eyed Handsome Man, School Day, Promised Land, No Particular Place To Go, Rock And Roll Music, and others - 1973 jam session taped by Felton Jarvis; may have been in 12/73, because released studio version of "Promised Land" (recorded 12/15/73) supposedly resulted from a studio jam (at least, that's how the old story goes -- Ernst Jorgensen makes no mention of it in his book on Elvis' studio sessions; in a posting to the alt.elvis.king newsgroup in November, 2000, someone named "CatGOD29" mentioned a list of these Chuck Berry songs that was published in the '80s, the source supposedly being Felton Jarvis -- "Nadine," "Maybelline," "Johnny B. Goode," "Too Much Monkey Business" and "Memphis, Tennessee" are additional titles mentioned and the jam alledgedly came from 1972.
We Had It All - a Waylon Jennings song that Elvis spent an awful lot of studio time on 12/14/73 trying out...there is no indication that he recorded it but I have decided to list this song here solely on the possibility that at least one of the run-throughs or rehearsals was recorded (or that it was preserved in part as a between-take ad-lib later in the sessions) and kept and that it might show up one day
We Shall Overcome - live 1974; part apparently sung live in Las Vegas 8/27/74 (MS)
Hello, Josephine - rumored to have been sung in rehearsal for the August, 1974 Las Vegas season and recorded by Elvis on his own equipment; the song was also slated as a possibility for recording in August, 1967, but the session was cancelled; Ernst Jorgensen writes that the song was also initially considered for inclusion in the "Aloha from Hawaii" satellite-broadcast concert (and its live rehearsal two days earlier) of January, 1973
I Can't Make It Without You - 9/2/74 Las Vegas; sung by Charlie Hodge; don't know if Elvis is somewhere in the backing vocals
The Great Pretender - live or in the studio, 1975; part sung live in Las Vegas 4/1/75 (DS); may have also done live in the '50s
Blue Monday - live 1975; Fats Domino song; July, 1975 tour?; part apparently sung live in Las Vegas 2/4/74 (DS) and 12/8/75
I Write The Songs - live 1976-77 or studio 1975-76
Love Will Keep Us Together - live and/or studio, 1975-76
Thinking About That Woman - 1975
All Right, Okay, You Win - 1975
Dancin' Jones - 1975; recorded by the Neville Brothers
The Best Thing - 1975; Carly Simon released a song of this title in 1971 Pearl's A Singer - 1975; studio 1975-76
You Touch Me Softly In The Morning - 1975
Being King Is A Lonely Life (a.k.a. "It's Lonely Being King") - 1976; I doubt Elvis would record a title like that; the closest I can find among the songs Elvis did perform is "It's No Fun Being Lonely," a song by Red West, that Elvis recorded at home in 1966 or 1967 and that RCA-BMG released around 1999
Daddy, Don't You Walk So Fast - 1976; may have been done on 3/21/76, in Cincinnatti; Wayne Newton song
If Ever You Leave Me - 1976; a.k.a "If Ever You Would Leave Me", which is a title very similar to "Camelot's "If Ever I Would Leave You"
Loving You, Baby - 1976; same title as a song recorded by Aretha Franklin
My Woman, My Woman, My Wife - 4/24/76, San Diego; I didn't see it mentioned in the newspaper accounts I've read and wonder if it's been confused with the other Marty Robbins song Elvis did at the two concerts that day ("You Gave Me A Mountain")?
There's A Fire Down Below - 10/76 Graceland; track (FWA5 1051) recorded 10/30/76 in the Jungle Room at Graceland; a Jerry Scheff song; Felton Jarvis said Elvis put a vocal on it; the instrumental track (Sherrill Nielsen's guide vocal was removed for legal reasons) was released on the 2000 FTD release "The Jungle Room Sessions"...could have been a great Elvis song, on the uptempo side)
America, The Beautiful - 1976 studio version; the book which came with the 1995 box set of '70s material says that this track was recorded in February and erased; more recent evidence suggests that at least part of the song may exist; and yes, it does -- update as of 2000 is that a few seconds of the song was added to the 2000 FTD release "The Jungle Room Sessions" -- basically just the ending...it's rumored that Elvis changed the lyrics to be less than patriotic and that may be why the original tape was erased (Felton Jarvis' wife, for example, burned the tape that included the master of the "X-rated" version of "Hurt")
It's Over - a Roy Orbison song; live in Las Vegas; sung live 12/4/76 (DS) in Las Vegas
Crying - 1976 Graceland; 12/76 (don't know if RCA still had recording equipment there at that time) with no satisfactory take resulting
Running Scared - 1976 Graceland; 12/76 (don't know if RCA still had recording equipment there at that time) with no satisfactory take resulting; a snippet of this song recorded 6/70 before "Tomorrow Never Comes" and released in 1995 by RCA; a snippet was also recorded between takes in 1969, and released on bootleg
N.B.: Elvis had a mobile studio in his home, so it's quite possible he might have tried more songs in 1976 than are listed by RCA
Delta Lady - 4/30/77 St Paul -- perhaps from other venues around the same time, though I suspect that this was a band instrumental to which Elvis may not have vocalized (it WAS played as an instrumental on this tour, during the band introductions); Elvis may have rehearsed this as a possible part of his repertoire before the January-February, 1970, season in Las Vegas (and perhaps at other times); a Leon Russell song, also recorded by Joe Cocker
Those songs I think may have some basis of reality and might be released by RCA (I expect more of the rumored concert songs to show up courtesy of bootleggers) include:
Born To Lose
Hooked On A Feeling
Lonely Teardrops
The Twelfth Of Never
Rainy Night In Georgia
Silent Night
Portrait Of My Love
Feelings
There's A Fire Down Below
It's Over
Crying
Running Scared
America, The Beautiful
... and the Chuck Berry jam session
UNKNOWN
Out Of Left Field - Percy Sledge recorded a song by this name
Over The Line
Ready For Love - a few songs exist with this title...which one this could be is hard to tell
Wabash Cannonball
I Want It That Way - acetate available is not of Elvis; probably a demo; Elvis may have recorded it
In My Dreams - acetate available is not of Elvis; came out on the "Special Delivery" bootleg; probably a demo; Elvis may have recorded it; I have not heard the song, and there are many different songs of this title (is this it???)
It'll Be Me - recorded for RCA (flipside to Jerry Lee Lewis' "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" in 1957); also recorded by Tom Jones
This Little Girl Of Mine - Ray Charles song from the '50s; probably done in studio
Little Girl - released by Ritchie Valens while Elvis was in Germany
Long Journey
You Better Run - studio; 3/30/72 rehearsal and 7/19/75 live versions available on bootleg -- 1972 rehearsal version released by RCA recently; also sung live 12/7/76 and 3/29/77
Joy - studio...may be a gospel song, an Isaac Hayes song, or one of the many other songs with this title
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