Most Fans Says Elvis Presley Flopped In The 70s – These Songs Says Otherwise

The legend goes that Elvis Presley fell off the rails soon after his epic 1968 comeback. But that’s not the whole story. Sure, the ’68 TV special and his 1969 Memphis sessions gave us “Suspicious Minds” and From Elvis in Memphis, both seen by many as his last big creative bursts. Yet the King had plenty more to offer in the decade before his death at just 42 on August 16, 1977.

Elvis was still hitting the stage two months before he passed, though by then the karate kicks, glitzy white jumpsuits, and offbeat stage banter had become part of the show. (Curious? Check out Having Fun With Elvis on Stage or the wild Desert Storm bootleg from his 1974 Vegas run.)

Even as the rocking slowed after 1974, there were gems: the country-leaning Elvis Country (I’m 10,000 Years Old), his final Top 10 hit “Burning Love,” the heartfelt “Always on My Mind,” and more.

1. “Kentucky Rain” (1970)
Recorded in 1969 but released in early 1970, “Kentucky Rain” easily earns a spot among Elvis’ best ’70s tracks. Born from the same Memphis sessions that gave us the brilliant From Elvis in Memphis album, this haunting ballad showcases Elvis at his emotional best. It’s a soulful, searching tune that remains one of his standout performances.

2. “Mama Liked the Roses” (1970)
Another gem from those 1969 Memphis sessions, “Mama Liked the Roses” didn’t appear until 1970, as the B-side to “The Wonder of You.” It leans into the sentimental side of Elvis’ later career, with tender vocals and even a spoken-word segment. While it may be a bit sugary, Elvis’ heartfelt delivery makes it hard to resist.

3. “Patch It Up” (1970)
Co-written by Eddie Rabbitt, long before he became a country star, “Patch It Up” is a brass-filled, high-energy rocker. It feels like a natural extension of the Memphis sessions magic, bursting with energy and swagger. The same productive 1970 sessions also produced the highly praised Elvis Country (I’m 10,000 Years Old).

4. “Polk Salad Annie” (1970)
Elvis had a soft spot for Tony Joe White songs, and “Polk Salad Annie” became a staple of his early ’70s concerts. The live version from February 1970 simmers with swampy blues and raw intensity. At this stage, Presley still let the music do the talking, steering clear of the over-the-top stage chatter that came later.

5. “The Wonder of You” (1970)
Captured during one of Elvis’ first ’70s concerts, this Ray Peterson-penned tune was an instant crowd-pleaser. It stayed in his setlists for years. The song climbed into the U.S. Top 10 and hit No. 1 in the U.K., proving Elvis’ appeal was as global as ever.

6. “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” (1970)
Dusty Springfield first made this song a hit in 1966, but Elvis put his own dramatic spin on it four years later. His version didn’t quite crack the Top 10, but his vocals soared. Recorded during the strong June 1970 sessions, which fueled two later albums, Elvis delivered the track with power and passion that showed he was still at the top of his game.

7. “It’s Only Love” (1971)
Around the time he was working on Elvis Now and his second Christmas album, Elvis recorded this overlooked gem. “It’s Only Love” stands out for its biting guitar and punchy horns, paired with one of Presley’s most emotionally charged vocal performances of the early ’70s. It’s a love song with a surprising intensity.

8. “I Really Don’t Want to Know” (1971)
Taken from Elvis Country (I’m 10,000 Years Old), arguably his last great studio album, this song closes Side One in style. The album itself is a whirlwind tour of country music’s roots, but “I Really Don’t Want to Know” stands strong on its own. It reached the Top 25 and remains a classic.

9. “Always on My Mind” (1972)
Many artists have taken a shot at “Always on My Mind,” but Elvis made it his own. He recorded it just weeks after separating from Priscilla, pouring real heartache into every note. Often criticized for coasting through the ’70s, Presley proved here that he still had the ability to deliver raw, honest emotion.

10. “An American Trilogy” (1972)
This powerful medley of “Dixie,” “All My Trials,” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” was first crafted by country singer Mickey Newbury. But once Elvis took it on, it became a signature moment in his live shows and one of the standout tracks from his final years.

11. “Burning Love” (1972)
Elvis’ final Top 10 hit also happens to be one of his best late-career tracks. By 1972, he was fully into the jumpsuit-and-karate-kick era, but “Burning Love” proved his vocal fire was still burning bright. The band matched his energy, cranking out a true rock anthem. Fun fact: it peaked at No. 2, blocked from the top by Chuck Berry’s playful “My Ding-A-Ling.”

12. “It’s a Matter of Time” (1972)
Recorded on the same day as “Burning Love,” this track shows off Elvis’ ability to switch gears with ease. Released as the B-side, “It’s a Matter of Time” climbed into the Top 40 on both the country and easy-listening charts. It’s a smooth, laid-back ballad that reminds you just how versatile Elvis could be.

13. “Until It’s Time for You to Go” (1972)
Originally written and recorded by Buffy Sainte-Marie in 1965, this tender tune became a favorite of ’70s crooners. Elvis’ take, released in 1972, hit No. 40. Though ballads were piling up in his setlists by this time, this one stands out with its delicate vocal and heartfelt delivery.

14. “Raised on Rock” (1973)
After Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite gave Elvis his first No. 1 album since Roustabout in 1964, he returned to Memphis and recorded at the legendary Stax studios. “Raised on Rock” was one of the first tracks from those sessions. With its punchy, soulful groove, it nods back to Elvis’ roots while keeping things fresh.

15. “Help Me” (1974)
Another product of the Stax sessions, “Help Me” taps into Elvis’ love for gospel. With lush strings and a country-gospel blend, the track shines thanks to top Nashville studio musicians. It’s a subtle, moving moment from an often overlooked period in his career.

16. “If You Talk in Your Sleep” (1974)
After the huge Aloha from Hawaii broadcast in 1973, Elvis knew things were getting a bit over-the-top. So, he returned to basics with the Stax sessions, hoping to capture the magic of his 1969 Memphis comeback. While the Stax recordings didn’t quite hit those same heights, “If You Talk in Your Sleep” stands out. It’s funky, fresh, and full of swagger—proof the King still had groove.

17. “It’s Midnight” (1974)
Also from the Stax sessions, “It’s Midnight” starts as a slow-burning ballad. But halfway through, Elvis and the band kick it up a notch. The emotion builds as they hit every dramatic peak, turning a simple tune into one of his most memorable mid-’70s performances.

18. “Promised Land” (1974)
Elvis’ time at Stax in 1973 gave fans some of his last great studio work. His cover of Chuck Berry’s “Promised Land” became a standout single in 1974 and later the title track of a 1975 album. With a loose, rollicking vibe, this track was one of his final flashes of rock ‘n’ roll brilliance.

19. “And I Love You So” (1975)
By 1975, things weren’t easy for Elvis. Burnout and increasingly sappy material weighed him down. Still, his cover of Don McLean’s “And I Love You So” shines through as a true gem. Elvis loved the song so much that he kept performing it live right up until his final shows.

20. “My Boy” (1975)
“My Boy,” originally a French song, was one of the last Stax tracks released before Elvis’ passing. The heartfelt ballad touches on relationship struggles, something Elvis deeply connected with at the time. That raw, personal feeling comes through in every note, making it a poignant standout.

21. “Hurt” (1976)
Originally written and recorded back in 1954, “Hurt” became a late-career concert favorite for Elvis. The song demands powerhouse vocals, especially the soaring sustained note at its peak—and Elvis nailed it every night. His 1976 studio version, featured on his second-to-last album, captures that same intensity. It’s a raw, emotional performance that showed his voice still packed serious punch.

22. “Moody Blue” (1976)
Elvis’ final studio album, Moody Blue, was a bit uneven, mostly recorded during casual sessions at Graceland. But the title track was a gem. It shot to No. 1 on the country charts and gave Elvis his last chart-topping hit. With its catchy chorus and smooth delivery by Elvis and his top-notch band, it’s one of the brighter moments from his last recordings.

23. “My Way” (1977)
Frank Sinatra’s version of “My Way” was already iconic, but Elvis brought his own spin to the classic. Though only in his early forties, Elvis recorded a live version two months before his death at age 42. Released shortly after he passed, the single hit No. 22, adding extra poignancy to a song about reflection and farewell.

24. “Unchained Melody” (1977)
Many greats have tackled this ballad, including the Righteous Brothers in 1965. Elvis’ stripped-down concert version, recorded just four months before his death, starts simply before building into a stunning grand finale. Featured on the partly live Moody Blue album, it’s one of his most moving late performances.

25. “Way Down” (1977)
“Way Down” was climbing the charts when Elvis passed on August 16, 1977. Recorded nearly a year earlier at Graceland, it peaked at No. 31 before fan demand surged it to No. 18 posthumously. It became his final hit, closing out the King’s incredible career on a rocking high note.