Did Elvis Write His Own Songs?

Nina Hampson

Elvis Presley is widely considered one of the most influential figures in rock and roll music history.

Known as “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Elvis rose to fame in the 1950s with his distinctive voice, electrifying stage presence, and ability to bring a wide range of musical styles to his performances.

Over the course of his career, Elvis released hundreds of hits and sold millions of records, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time.

As a singer and performer, Elvis is remembered for his iconic interpretations of the songs he recorded and performed.

But did Elvis write his own songs?

In this article, we’ll explore the role that songwriters and composers played in Elvis’s career, and consider the extent to which Elvis wrote his own music.

Early Career

Elvis Presley "Hound Dog" (October 28, 1956) on The Ed Sullivan Show

Elvis Presley first gained widespread recognition in the 1950s with his energetic performances of rock and roll, blues, and country music. He released his first single, “That’s All Right,” in 1954, and his first album, Elvis Presley, in 1956.

These early recordings, along with hits like “Hound Dog,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” and “Heartbreak Hotel,” established Elvis as a major force in the music industry and helped to define the sound of rock and roll.

During this early period of his career, Elvis worked with a number of songwriters and composers who contributed to his music. Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller, for example, wrote several of Elvis’s early hits, including “Jailhouse Rock,” “Love Me,” and “Hound Dog.”

Lieber and Stoller were already established songwriters when they began working with Elvis, and they helped to shape his sound and style in the early years of his career.

Ben Weisman was another songwriter who contributed to Elvis’s early music. He wrote several songs for Elvis’s first album, including “First in Line,” and he continued to write for Elvis throughout his career.

Some of Weisman’s most memorable contributions to Elvis’s music include “Don’t Leave Me Now,” “Happy Ending,” and “Follow That Dream.”

Aaron Shroeder was another important songwriter in Elvis’s early career. He wrote several of Elvis’s biggest hits, including “I Got Stung,” “Stuck on You,” and “Good Luck Charm.”

All of these songs reached the top of the music charts, cementing Elvis’s status as a major star. In total, Shroeder wrote 17 songs for Elvis during his career.

Later Career

Elvis Presley - Night Rider

In the 1960s and 1970s, Elvis Presley continued to be a major force in the music industry, releasing hit songs and albums and performing sold-out concerts around the world. He worked with a number of songwriters and composers during this period, some of whom contributed to some of his most memorable songs.

Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman were a renowned songwriting duo who wrote several songs for Elvis during this time. Some of their most famous collaborations with Elvis include “Night Rider,” “Suspicion,” and “Viva Las Vegas.” In total, Pomus and Shuman wrote 20 songs for Elvis during his career.

Mac Davis was another songwriter who contributed to Elvis’s later career. Davis was also a singer and performer in his own right, and he wrote several of Elvis’s hits, including “In the Ghetto,” “Don’t Cry Daddy,” and “A Little Less Conversation.” In total, Davis wrote 11 songs for Elvis during his career.

Mark James was another songwriter who worked with Elvis in the 1960s and 1970s. James wrote several of Elvis’s hits, including “Suspicious Minds,” “Always on My Mind,” and “Moody Blue.” These songs helped to cement Elvis’s legacy as a singer and performer, and they continue to be popular today. James wrote six songs for Elvis during his career.

In addition to working with these songwriters, Elvis also wrote or co-wrote some of his own songs. For example, he co-wrote “It’s Now or Never” with Aaron Schroeder and Wally Gold, and he co-wrote “Are You Lonesome Tonight” with Roy Turk. These songs became some of Elvis’s most memorable and enduring hits.

Collaborative Songwriting

Elvis Presley - It's Now or Never (Official Audio)

Throughout his career, Elvis Presley worked with a variety of songwriters and composers to create his music. He often collaborated with these songwriters and composers, contributing his own ideas and insights to the songwriting process. Some of Elvis’s most famous collaborations with songwriters include:

  • “It’s Now or Never,” co-written with Aaron Schroeder and Wally Gold
  • “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” co-written with Roy Turk
  • “In the Ghetto,” co-written with Mac Davis
  • “Suspicious Minds,” co-written with Mark James
  • “Always on My Mind,” co-written with Mark James, Johnny Christopher, and Wayne Carson Thompson

These collaborations helped to shape Elvis’s sound and style, and contributed to the enduring popularity of his music. In addition to working with other songwriters, Elvis also wrote or co-wrote some of his own songs, such as “A Little Less Conversation” and “Moody Blue.”

These self-penned songs demonstrate Elvis’s versatility as a songwriter and his ability to bring his own ideas and experiences to his music.

Final Thoughts On Did Elvis Write His Own Songs?

Elvis Presley worked with a number of songwriters and composers throughout his career to create his music. While he did not write the majority of his own songs, he was known for his ability to bring his own unique interpretation and style to the music he recorded and performed.

Collaborating with songwriters and composers allowed Elvis to explore a wide range of musical styles and create some of his most memorable and enduring hits.

Despite not writing the majority of his own songs, Elvis’s legacy as a singer and performer is undeniable. His music continues to be popular and influential today, and his contributions to the world of rock and roll will always be remembered.

Ultimately, Elvis’s talent as a performer, his ability to connect with audiences, and his timeless hits will always be his most enduring legacy.