Elvis Songs In The 50s
For the Acoustic

A Big Hunk o' Love and it was released as a single on June 23, 1959and became one of his popular hits. The song was written by Aaron Schroeder and Sid Wyche.

The single reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming one of Elvis' chart-topping hits. "A Big Hunk o' Love" is an uptempo rock and roll song with a driving rhythm. It showcases Elvis' energetic and powerful vocal delivery.
The B-side of the single was "My Wish Came True," another song that was recorded during the same session.

"A Big Hunk o' Love" was often included in Elvis' live performances, allowing him to showcase his dynamic stage presence.

I play this in A, D, D7, E and E7 but Elvis is up in C. A steady down up down up rhythm pattern with some chops is needed here and some lead work in standard tuning.

A Fool Such as I was originally written by Bill Trader and recorded by Elvis during his early career. The track was recorded on June 10, 1958, during a recording session in Nashville, Tennessee and was later released as a single on March 10, 1959. The single became a commercial success, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The B-side of the single was "I Need Your Love Tonight," another song that was recorded during the same session.

"A Fool Such as I" is a mid-tempo ballad that showcases Elvis' emotive vocal style. The song features a blend of rock and roll and country elements.

While the song was initially released as a single, it was later included on compilation albums and reissues of Elvis' music. It can be found on various Elvis Presley collections.

"A Fool Such as I" remains one of Elvis' well-known songs from the late 1950s and is often associated with his signature sound during that era.

This one is played in standard tuning with a steady down up down up rhythm pattern while playing some walking bass. Some lead required. The chords are C, F, G, A, C7, E7, F, D and a G7.

Blue Moon of Kentucky is a bluegrass song written by Bill Monroe. Presley's version was recorded in 1954 for his first single on the Sun Records label, which helped to launch his career.

Presley's version of "Blue Moon of Kentucky" features his distinctive vocal style, which combines elements of country, blues, and rock and roll. The song also features a prominent rhythm guitar, a driving bass line, and a lively beat that reflects the song's bluegrass roots.

One notable aspect of Presley's version of the song is the way he alters the melody and rhythm of the original, creating a unique interpretation of the song that still retains its essential character. The song became a hit for Presley and remains one of his most beloved recordings, and it has been covered by numerous other artists over the years.

The track was later included on his self-titled debut album, "Elvis Presley", which was released in 1956. The album also includes other classic Presley tracks such as "That's All Right", "Heartbreak Hotel", and "Hound Dog".

This old tune has a rockabilly vibe playing the A, D or D7 and the E chords. You can also throw in the A7 and E7 chords where you see fit. If you play the A chord up n the 5th fret you can use the B string a bit to help with that rockabilly rhythm sound.

For rhythm I'm playing a root down up down up down up in a fast shuffle pattern and blending a few hammer-ons here and there.

I've added in two separate lead sections but you can cut it back to just one if you want to.

Good Rockin Tonight was written by Roy Brown in 1947. His version was a hit twice. In 1954, Elvis Presley made his own version.

Elvis recorded it at Sun Studio in Memphis and released it as his second single. The song mixes rhythm and blues with rockabilly, showing off Elvis's unique singing style. It's fast-paced and energetic.

While Elvis's version didn't make the charts, it helped make him famous and played a big part in making rock and roll popular in the 1950s. Many other singers have recorded this song, but Elvis's version is still one of the most important.

You can find it on Elvis's album "A Date With Elvis."

Play this one with a root down up root up down up and repeat and then use a standard up and down rock and roll strum in standard tuning. The three chords are E, A7 and B7 and some lead required.

I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine was on the back of Elvis Presley's "Good Rockin Tonight" record in 1954. Mack David wrote it, and Dean Martin first sang it in 1950.

Elvis later made his own version, which is on his album "Elvis At Presley." It's a happy, energetic rock and roll song. Elvis sings about not caring if the sun doesn't shine as long as he's with his sweetheart.

The song shows off Elvis's lively singing and the early rockabilly sound, with guitars, drums, and piano. It captures the exciting feel of early rock and roll, which was a big part of Elvis's early music. This song reached number 74 on the US music charts.

Use a root down up down up down up rhythm pattern here in standard tuning and the three chords G, A7 and D7. Some lead work required in this number.

I Forgot to Remember to Forget came out as a single in 1955 when he was with Sun Records. It was on the same record as "Mystery Train," but on the other side. At first, it wasn't on any of Elvis's albums.

But after Elvis moved to RCA Victor in 1956, the song started showing up on collection albums. You can find it on "Elvis' Golden Records" from 1958, which has many of his hit songs. Over the years, lots of Elvis collection albums have come out.

These albums have different songs on them, so you might find "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" on some but not others.

This on played in drop D tuning and a capo 2nd fret with the chords D, G, A and a D7. Some lead required here while playing a down up down up pattern with some walking bass.

I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone was released in 1955 when Elvis was with Sun Records. Stan Kesler and William Taylor wrote this upbeat rockabilly song.

It's about losing love, with Elvis singing about his partner leaving him. The song didn't become a big hit, but fans loved it.

It's now seen as one of Elvis's early classics. People remember it for its catchy guitar part and Elvis's lively singing. This song shows how Elvis helped create the rock and roll sound. You can find it on many Elvis collection albums.

Played in E, A and B7 with some lead in standard tuning using a root down root up down up rhythm pattern.

Lawdy Miss Clawdy was an R&B number released in 1952 and sold over a million copies. Elvis decided to cover the song in 1956 and it was released as a single from his 1956 Album For LP Fans Only, but his version didn't make the charts.

I play this song one fret below pitch in this demo as I was asked to do so by a customer but it can be played in standard tuning using the chords E, A and B7. Some lead here with a steady root down up root up down up rhythm pattern.

Money Honey was first recorded by blues artist Clyde McPhatter in 1953 with the newly formed group known as The Drifters. Elvis decided to recorded the song a few years later in 1956 for his debut album Elvis Presley. The song however was never released as a single.

Play this one with an E, A and B7 with some lead required in standard using a root down up down up down up pattern. The rhythm here is a stop and go as you'll see.

Mystery Train is a famous song on Elvis Presley's first album. Junior Parker and Sam Phillips wrote it, and Elvis released it as a single in 1955.

The song didn't make it onto the charts, but it became very important for rockabilly and rock 'n' roll music. The lyrics are sad and use a train as a symbol for life's journey.

There's no music video for the song because it came out before those were common. When playing "Mystery Train," guitarists use a special rockabilly style on the E and A chords. This involves quickly moving between notes and strumming in a specific pattern to create the right sound.

There are only three/four chords in this song and they are E, A, A7 and B7.

The break in this song is just the chord pattern already discussed with perhaps a bit more emphasis on the rhythm hand by chopping up the rhythm a bit.

Paralyzed was recorded by Elvis in 1956 for his album Elvis.

The song was never a single release.

For rhythm here play a down up down up down up with some walking bass in standard tuning. No lead work here with the chords A, D, D7, G and E.

So Glad You're Mine hails from Elvis's 2nd album released in 1956 called simply Elvis.

This song was never a single release.

This one is played higher in E but I play it in a drop D tuning with D7, G and an A. The rhythm is a simple down up down up with a bit of bass note playing and some lead work.

Trying To Get To You is an early Elvis song that can be found on the album "Elvis Presley" (also known as Elvis Presley's debut album or Elvis Presley Rock n' Roll No. 1). It was written by Rose Marie McCoy and Charles Singleton.

"Trying To Get To You" was released as a single in 1956. It reached number 33 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart and number 6 on the Billboard Country Singles chart.

The track is an emotional and soulful song about the struggles and determination of trying to reach a loved one. It portrays a sense of urgency and longing for connection, reflecting the narrator's relentless efforts to be with the person they desire.

No official music video was produced for "Trying To Get To You" due to its release predating the era of music videos.

This one played with an E, A and B7 in standard tuning using a root down up root up down up rhythm pattern. No lead but a few riffs throughout.

When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again was written in 1940 and first recorded in 1941 by the writers Wiley Walker and Gene Sullivan.

Elvis recorded the song years later in 1956 for his album Elvis. The song was never released as a single.

I play this one in standard tuning using the chords E, A and B7 with a root down up down up and repeat rhythm patter, Some lead work required.

You're A Heartbreaker was recorded in Dec of 1954 and became the B-side to the song Milkcow Blues Boogie. The track can be found on the album Elvis Presley The Complete Works 1953 - 1955.

You'll need a D, D7, G, A and A7 chords for this one in standard tuning. Use a root down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern but no lead required, just a few riffs during the rhythm phase.