Easy Elvis Guitar Songs
For the Acoustic

Elvis Presley's recording of "A Mess of Blues" is a classic rock and roll song that was released in 1960. The song was part of his album titled "Elvis Is Back!" which marked his return to the music scene after completing his military service.

"A Mess of Blues" was released as a single in July 1960 and later included in the album. Known for its upbeat tempo and Elvis's energetic performance, the song captures the essence of his early rock and roll style.

The lyrics express the singer's feelings of heartbreak and the challenges of love, set against a lively musical backdrop.

"A Mess of Blues" is celebrated for its catchy melody, Elvis's dynamic vocals, and its contribution to the rock and roll sound of the early 1960s.

This one you can play in Drop D Tuning with a capo on the 3rd fret with the chords A, D and E7. No lead work as you play a down strokes and a down up down up in a steady rhythm shuffle pattern.

Blue Christmas was recorded by four artists before Elvis Presley. Doye O'Dell had the first in 1948, followed Ernest Tubb, Hugo Whiterhalter and Russ Morgan in 1950. Elvis recorded his version in 1957 and is the most played version during the holiday season. The single wasn't available until 1964, the same year The Beach Boys recorded their version.

You may have a tendency to want to play a bass note during the rhythm and if you do, the only place that would fit is while on the B7 chord.

This song has a rockabilly vibe to it with a pretty simple rhythm pattern using a root up down up root up down up strum. Leading into the B7 change from the E you have a quick G,A, A# run to the B note on the A string. 

What they did on the line "a-a-a bout you", they used a string bend from the Gb note up to the G, or you can use a quick slide up to that note. On an electric it's a bit easier to bend that note.

Devil in Disguise was recorded by Elvis Presley and became a successful hit for him. The song was written by Bill Giant, Bernie Baum, and Florence Kaye. It was released as a single in 1963 and later included on the album "Elvis' Gold Records Volume 4."

"(You're the) Devil in Disguise" showcases Elvis's versatile vocal style and features a catchy, upbeat melody. The song's theme revolves around a deceptive and alluring person, represented as the "devil in disguise."

Upon its release, the song performed well on the charts, reaching the top spot in the UK and peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. It remains a popular and well-regarded track in Elvis Presley's extensive discography.

For the rhythm in this song you'll need two different rhythm patterns. The first is a simple root down up root up down up and repeat pattern as the slower portion of the song. The when the pace picks up you'll need to switch to a root down up down up down up and repeat pattern.

The chords here I'm going to play it in G, C, D and Em. The original key is in F which makes it easier to sing but a bit messy to play as you'd need flats and sharps to make this work. Plus is makes the little bit of picking in this song a bit awkward.

There is a bit of a break in here before the last verse but nothing too complicated.

Doin' the Best I Can is a track that was included in his 1960 album "Elvis Is Back, marking the beginning of Elvis' return to recording after his military service. The album was recorded during several sessions in March and April 1960 at RCA Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. It was released in April 1960.

"Doin' the Best I Can" is a mid-tempo rock and roll song with a catchy melody. It features Elvis' energetic and charismatic vocal style that had become his trademark.

The "Elvis Is Back!" album showcased a range of styles, from rock and roll to ballads.

The lyrics of "Doin' the Best I Can" reflect themes of trying to make things work despite challenges and imperfections, which resonated with Elvis' life experiences at the time.

Don't Cry Daddy is a touching ballad that Elvis recorded during his later years. Elvis recorded "Don't Cry Daddy" on January 15, 1969, and released it as a single in 1969, with "Rubberneckin'" as the B-side. It was later included in Elvis' studio album "From Elvis in Memphis," which was released in 1969.

"Don't Cry Daddy" is a sentimental ballad that features Elvis' emotive vocal delivery. The song reflects themes of comfort and reassurance.

The single "Don't Cry Daddy" reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Guitar Man was originally written and recorded by Jerry Reed in 1967, but Elvis recorded his own version in 1968. Elvis's rendition of "Guitar Man" was featured on his album titled "Elvis (NBC TV Special)" or commonly referred to as the "68 Comeback Special."

The song showcases Elvis's vocal and musical abilities, with his passionate delivery and guitar skills on full display. It became a fan favourite and is often remembered as one of the standout performances from the '68 Comeback Special.

It's worth noting that Elvis's version of "Guitar Man" was not released as a single during his lifetime, but it has since been included on various compilation albums and reissues of his music.

The song remains popular among Elvis fans and is recognized as one of his notable recordings.

How's the World Treating You was originally written by country music songwriter and singer Boudleaux Bryant. It was first recorded by The Louvin Brothers in 1953.

Elvis Presley covered "How's the World Treating You" and included it on his 1962 album titled "Pot Luck." His rendition of the song showcases his vocal versatility and emotional depth. Elvis's interpretation of the song is often praised for its heartfelt delivery and the way he connects with the lyrics.

While "How's the World Treating You" was not released as a single by Elvis, it remains a notable track in his discography. The song has been covered by various artists over the years, but Elvis's version is well-regarded and appreciated by fans of his music.

If I Can Dream was first released as a single back in 1968 and reached #12 in the US,  #11in the UK and #2 in Australia and is a passionate and emotive ballad with a message of hope, unity, and social change.

The lyrics express a yearning for a better world where people can come together and overcome differences to create a brighter future. The song's uplifting and inspirational tone is complemented by Elvis Presley's passionate and soulful vocals, which are filled with emotion and conviction.

The musical arrangement of "If I Can Dream" features a powerful orchestral backing, including strings, brass, and choir, which adds to the grandeur and impact of the song. It is often praised for its epic and cinematic quality, as well as its timely and poignant lyrics that reflected the social and cultural climate of the late 1960s.

Elvis Presley's performance of "If I Can Dream" in his '68 Comeback Special was a defining moment in his career, marking a resurgence for the King of Rock and Roll. The song was well-received by audiences and critics alike and has since become one of Elvis Presley's most beloved and enduring songs.

In the Ghetto was written by Mac Davis and was first released by Elvis in 1969. The song addresses the cycle of poverty and despair in urban neighbourhoods, specifically focusing on the life of a young boy growing up in the inner city.

"In the Ghetto" became a significant hit for Elvis and is considered one of his most socially conscious and emotionally impactful songs. The track features a blend of soul, pop, and gospel influences, with Elvis delivering a poignant and heartfelt performance.

The song was released as a single and reached the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. It remains one of Elvis's signature songs and has been covered by various artists over the years.

"In the Ghetto" has had a lasting impact and continues to resonate with listeners due to its thought-provoking lyrics and Elvis's passionate delivery. It is often praised for its social commentary and stands as a testament to Elvis's ability to tackle meaningful subjects through his music.

Such a Night was originally written and recorded by R&B artist Roy Brown in 1953, but Elvis covered the song and released his version in 1960. Elvis's rendition of "Such a Night" was featured on his album titled "Elvis Is Back!" which was released in the same year.

Elvis's version of "Such a Night" showcased his unique vocal style and blended elements of rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and rockabilly. It remains a popular and well-known song in Elvis's repertoire.

Suspicious Minds is one of Elvis Presley's most well-known and enduring hits. It was released as a single on August 26, 1969, by RCA Records. The song was written by Mark James and produced by Chips Moman.

"Suspicious Minds" is a song that blends elements of rock, soul, and gospel music. It features Presley's powerful vocals and is known for its catchy melody and memorable chorus. The song's lyrics revolve around a troubled romantic relationship, with Presley expressing suspicions and doubts about his partner's faithfulness.

The recording of "Suspicious Minds" was a critical and commercial success. It peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, becoming Presley's last #1 hit during his lifetime. It also reached the top of the charts in several other countries. The song has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over 1 million copies.

This song can be found on the album "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits".

The Girl of My Best Friend was written by Beverly Ross and Sam Bobrick. Elvis recorded his version of the song on March 26, 1960, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee.

The song was released as a single in 1960 and reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was also included on Elvis's album titled "Elvis Is Back!" which was released in the same year. The song showcases Elvis's smooth vocals and features a mix of rock and roll and pop influences.

"The Girl of My Best Friend" has since become a popular and well-recognized song in Elvis's discography. It has been covered by various artists over the years and remains a favorite among fans of his music.

There's Always Me can be found on the album "Something for Everybody," released in 1961. The song was written by Don Robertson, a songwriter who contributed to many of Elvis's songs.

This song was released as a single in 1961 but did not achieve significant chart success.

"There's Always Me" is a romantic ballad expressing a reassuring message to a loved one. The song reflects the narrator's devotion and availability, emphasizing that no matter what happens, they will always be there for the person they love.

Once again as music videos were not widely produced during the time of the song's release, there is no official music video for "There's Always Me."

Too Much Monkey Business was originally written and recorded by Chuck Berry in 1956. Elvis covered the song and included it on his album titled "Elvis Is Back!" released in 1960.

Elvis's version of "Too Much Monkey Business" is a lively and energetic rendition that showcases his rock and roll style. The song features Elvis's distinctive vocals and the characteristic guitar-driven sound of his early recordings. It captures the spirit of the original Chuck Berry version while adding Elvis's own flair.

Elvis Is Back!" is widely regarded as one of Elvis's best albums, and his version of "Too Much Monkey Business" is a standout track on the record.