Elvis Presley Albums Ranked (rated from worst to best)
Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) is considered to have been one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century and has been nicknamed “The King of Rock and Roll”. He was born in Tupelo, Mississippi and moved with his family to Memphis Tennessee when he was 13 years old. He began his music career in Memphis in 1954 working with producer Sam Phillips at Sun Records. Elvis played rhythm acoustic guitar and was accompanied by Scotty Moore on lead guitar, Bill Black on bass and drummer D. J. Fontana joined in 1955 completing the classic Elvis Presley quartet.
His contract was acquired by RCA Victor in a deal set up by Colonel Tom Parker who would go on to manage Elvis for over 20 years. Elvis released his 1st single with RCA Victor, “Heartbreak Hotel” in January 1956 and it became a number 1 hit in the US. During the following year RCA would sell 10 million Elvis Presley singles.
Table of Contents
Best Elvis Presley Albums Of All Time
Including soundtrack albums of original material, Elvis Presley released more than 40 studio albums. We will rank the top 20 as we see them from the rest to the best.
20. Pot Luck With Elvis (1962)
Released on May 18th 1962, this was Elvis’ 7th studio album and it got to number 4 on the Billboard Top LP’s chart. This was the album that gave us “Suspicion”, “I’m Yours”, “Kiss Me Quick” and “Nightrider”.
19. Elvis (1973)
This was Elvis’ 18th studio album which was released on July 12th 1973. Commonly known as “The Fool Album” due to the 1st track which appears on the album cover just below Elvis’ name. The single “Fool” was released in the UK where it reached number 15 on the singles chart. In the US it was released as the B side to “Steamroller Blues”. Other tracks include “It’s Impossible”, Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” and Gordon Lightfoot’s “(that’s What You Get) For Loving Me”.
18. Moody Blue (1977)
Released on July 19th 1977, just 4 weeks before he died, this was Elvis Presley’s 24th and final studio album. The album contains both studio and live recordings and includes the 4 tracks from his final studio recording session the previous October as well as 2 tracks from the “Graceland” session from February 1976. There were 2 singles released from this album which were the title track and “Way Down”. The album topped the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and reached number 3 on the Billboard 200 and the UK album charts.
17. From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee (1976)
This was the 23rd studio album and 4th Elvis Presley album to reach number 1 on the Billboard Country Music chart in 4 years. It was released on May 16th 1976 and the only single released from this album was “Hurt” which was a top 10 hit. Other tracks included on this album include; “Solitaire” (Neil Sedaka), “The Last Farewell” (Roger Whittaker) and “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again” (Lonnie Donegan). The album states that the songs were recorded live, and whilst that is true, they were recorded live in the studio and not on stage.
16. His Hand in Mine (1960)
Released on November 23rd 1960, this was the 5th studio album by Elvis Presley. It was the 1st of 3 gospel music albums that Elvis would release in his lifetime. It reached number 13 on the Top Pop Albums chart and paved the way for a more family orientated image for Elvis after all of the earlier controversy.
15. Promised Land (1975)
Released on January 8th 1975, “Promised Land” was Elvis Presley’s 21st studio album. It was released on Elvis’ 40th birthday and topped the Billboard Top Country LP’s chart and got to number 47 on the Billboard 200 chart. There were 2 singles released from this album which were the title track which was a Chuck Berry song and “If You Talk in Your Sleep”. It also included the Waylon Jennings song “You Asked Me To”.
14. Something for Everybody (1961)
This was Elvis’ 6th studio album which was released on June 17th 1961. The album topped the Billboard Top Pop LP’s chart and stayed there for 3 weeks. This album was split into 2 halves with side 1 consisting of slow, sentimental ballads and side 2 featuring more uptempo rock and roll and R&B tracks.
13. G.I. Blues (1960)
This was the 3rd soundtrack album, and 7th overall album by Elvis Presley which was released on September 23rd 1960. It is the soundtrack to the film of the same name which Elvis starred in. This album topped the Billboard Top Pop Album chart and stayed at number 1 for 10 weeks. There were 2 singles released from this album which were the title track and “Wooden Heart” which was released in the UK and Australia as a single and topped the charts in both countries. It was only ever released as a B side in the US.
12. How Great Thou Art (1967)
Released on February 27th 1967, this was Elvis Presley’s 9th studio album. The album won a Grammy Award for Best Sacred Performance and was also a top 10 hit on the Top Country albums chart as well as a hit on the Billboard Top 20 Pop albums chart. A gospel album with slow numbers on one side and faster numbers on the other.
11. Elvis for Everyone! (1965)
This was Elvis Presley’s 8th studio album which was released on August 10th 1965. The album reached number 10 on the Top Pop Albums chart and contains a mix of songs which at least some should appeal to everyone. Songs like “Your Cheatin’ Heart” (Hank Williams), “Memphis Tennessee” (Chuck Berry) and “Santa Lucia” (Traditional).
10. He Touched Me (1972)
Released on April 1st 1972 this was the 17th studio album from Elvis Presley. It was a contemporary gospel album and his 3rd and final gospel album. It earned Elvis his 2nd of 3 Grammy Awards. Among the tracks are “Amazing Grace” and Jerry Reed’s “A Thing Called Love”.
9. Elvis Sings The Wonderful World of Christmas (1971)
This was his 15th studio album which was released on October 20th 1971. It topped the Billboard Holiday Albums chart even though it never had the commercial appeal of his 1st Christmas album. The album contains a number of Christmas favourites including; “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “The First Noel”, “Winter Wonderland” and “Blue Christmas”.
8. Elvis Is Back! (1960)
Released on April 8th 1960, this was Elvis’ 4th studio album and his 1st to be released in stereo. It was his 1st album since being discharged from the US Army and his 1st album of new material since “Elvis’ Christmas Album” (1957). There were 2 singles released from this album which were; “Such a Night” and “The Girl Of My Best Friend”. This album topped the UK album charts and reached number 2 on the Billboard Top LP’s chart.
7. King Creole (1958)
This was Elvis Presley’s 2nd soundtrack album which was released on September 19th 1958. It contains songs written and recorded for the film of the same name which starred Elvis. The album got as high as number 2 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart and was originally released as an EP with 2 volumes. There were 2 singles released from this album which were “Hard Headed Woman” and the title track.
6. Blue Hawaii (1961)
Released on October 20th 1961 this was the 4th soundtrack album by Elvis Presley. It was the soundtrack to the film of the same name which starred Elvis. The album spent 20 weeks at number 1 and 39 weeks in the Top 10 of the Billboard Top Pop LP’s chart in the US. It was the 2nd most successful soundtrack album of the 1960s on the Top Pop Albums chart (West Side Story was number 1).
5. Elvis (1956)
Sometimes called Elvis Presley No. 2, this is the 2nd studio album by Elvis Presley which was released on October 19th 1956. The album spent 4 weeks at number 1 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart which meant that both of Elvis’ albums released that year went to number 1, making him the 1st recording artist to do so.
4. From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis (1969)
This was the 11th studio album and the 2nd live album released by Elvis Presley on October 14th 1969. It was a double album with the 1st album which was titled “In Person at the International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada” containing live recordings of his hits and the 2nd album titled “Back in Memphis” containing all new material recorded in the American Sound Studio in Memphis.
The 1st album contains such classics as; “Suspicious Minds”, “In The Ghetto”, “Can’t Help Falling In Love” and “Blue Suede Shoes”. The 2nd album contains tracks including; “And The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind” (Neil Diamond) and “From A Jack to A King” (Ned Miller).
3. Elvis’ Christmas Album (1957)
This was his 3rd studio album and 1st Christmas album which was released on October 15th 1957 by RCA Victor Records. The album spent 4 weeks at number 1 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart and was the 1st of 2 Christmas themed albums Elvis would record. There were 3 singles eventually released from this album which were; “Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)” (1957), “Blue Christmas” (1964) and “Santa Claus Is Back In Town” (1965).
2. From Elvis in Memphis (1969)
Released on June 17th 1969, this was Elvis Presley’s 10th studio album. He went to the American Sound Studio in Memphis Tennessee to record this album solely to attain that country soul sound that the studio house band, The Memphis Boys were becoming famous for. The album reached number 1 on the UK album charts, number 2 on the US Country Album charts and number 13 on the Billboard 200.
1. Elvis Presley (1956)
This was the debut album by Elvis Presley which was released on March 13th 1956. In the UK the album was titled “Elvis Presley Rock n’ Roll”. It spent 10 weeks at number 1 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart in 1956. It was the 1st rock and roll album to top the charts and the 1st million selling album of the rock and roll genre.
There were 6 singles released from this album which were; “Blue Suede Shoes”, “I Got A Woman”, “I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’)”, “I Love You Because”, “Just Because” and “Money Honey”.
All Elvis Presley Albums In Chronological Order
| Album | Date |
|---|---|
| Elvis Presley | 1956 |
| Elvis | 1956 |
| Loving You (Soundtrack Album) | 1957 |
| Elvis’ Christmas Album | 1957 |
| King Creole (Soundtrack Album) | 1958 |
| Elvis Is Back! | 1960 |
| G. I. Blues (Soundtrack Album) | 1960 |
| His Hand in Mine | 1960 |
| Blue Hawaii (Soundtrack Album) | 1961 |
| Something For Everyone! | 1961 |
| Pot Luck | 1962 |
| Girls! Girls! Girls! (Soundtrack Album) | 1962 |
| It Happened at the World’s Fair (Soundtrack Album) | 1963 |
| Fun In Acapulco (Soundtrack Album) | 1963 |
| Kissin’ Cousins (Soundtrack Album) | 1964 |
| Roustabout (Soundtrack Album) | 1964 |
| Elvis For Everyone! | 1965 |
| Girl Happy (Soundtrack Album) | 1965 |
| Harum Scarum (Soundtrack Album) | 1965 |
| Frankie and Johnny (Soundtrack Album) | 1966 |
| Paradise, Hawaiian Style (Soundtrack Album) | 1966 |
| Spinout (Soundtrack Album) | 1966 |
| How Great Thou Art | 1967 |
| Double Trouble (Soundtrack Album) | 1967 |
| Clambake (Soundtrack Album) | 1967 |
| Speedway (Soundtrack Album) | 1968 |
| From Elvis to Memphis | 1969 |
| From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis | 1969 |
| That’s the Way It Is | 1970 |
| Elvis Country (I’m 10,000 Years Old) | 1971 |
| Love Letters from Elvis | 1971 |
| Elvis sings The Wonderful World of Christmas | 1971 |
| Elvis Now | 1972 |
| He Touched Me | 1972 |
| Elvis (The “Fool” Album) | 1973 |
| Raised on Rock / For Ol’ Times Sake | 1973 |
| Good Times | 1974 |
| Promised Land | 1975 |
| Today | 1975 |
| From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee | 1976 |
| Moody Blue | 1977 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The best selling Elvis Presley album is “Elvis’ Christmas Album/It’s Christmas Time”(1957) which has sold in excess of 17 million copies worldwide.
The newest Elvis Presley album is “The Forgotten Album” which was released on September 9th 2022.
The first Elvis Presley album was “Elvis Presley” which was released on March 13th 1956.
Elvis Presley’s most famous song is “Jailhouse Rock” which was taken from the EP of the same name that was released in conjunction with the film of the same name which Elvis starred in.
Elvis Presley recorded his first acetate disc in August 1953, and then in July 1954 he recorded his version of Aurthur Crudup’s “That’s All Right”.
The genres ascribed to Elvis Presley are; Rock and Roll, rockabilly, pop, country, gospel, blues and R&B.
