Top 10 Songs of My Favorite Performer, Elvis Presley

I cringe at the word "classics" when bands and musical artists of my youth are referred to in this way. It doesn't seem like all that long ago when my friends and I danced with our dates at prom to Skid Row's song, I Remember You, or drove our parents crazy by blasting the lyrics of a Motley Crue song.

Remember Tiffany? I begged and pleaded one Christmas for her cassette tape that included the song, I Think We're Alone Now. Notice I said tape, not CD. I'm showing my age, aren't I? As much as I embraced the eighties and all of the performers from that decade, my heart belonged to a man that was long deceased by the time I started enjoying music, and more specifically, rock n roll music. It remains a mystery to my friends why I so loved, and continue to love, a musical icon that is of my parents' and even my grandparents' generations. I defend being oddly enamored, pointing out his charisma, his voice, his legend. To this day he continues to sell millions of albums. He created rock n roll. Have you guessed whom I am referring? If you guessed Elvis Presley, you got it. Elvis is my favorite performer of all time. He had many hits, all of them nostalgic for me in one way or another. But I must narrow that list down to 10, so here goes.

Suspicious Minds
Moody Blue
Jailhouse Rock
Hound Dog
Blue Suede Shoes
Can't Help Falling In Love
In The Ghetto
Way Down
All Shook Up
You Gave Me a Mountain

I know that there are many more enjoyable hits from the King of Rock n Roll. And I love them all. But these are the songs that move me the most, songs that make me feel the pain in the lyrics or pump me up and make me want to dance. Elvis and his music had that effect on me, as I'm sure it did for most of his fans. He spoke through his music, and convinced the listener through the sultry inflections in his voice that the emotions of his songs were what he was feeling at the instant he was singing them. That was his talent. Elvis Presley, my favorite musical artist in childhood and adulthood.