Original vs. Elvis Remake

There are a lot, I mean a lot of songs that were big hits or small hits that Elvis would remake as part of his concert set or put on his albums because he enjoyed singing them.  Most famously was "Hound Dog"  written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller in 1952 and sung by Big Mama Thornton,  but until Elvis made it his own and turned it into a monster hit, no one really knew about the original.  

I will be giving you 2 songs, the original version/artist along with Elvis' version that may or may not have been a top 40 hit for him.  

This first song is one of my favorites that isn't a well known Elvis remake but the original by Roger Whitaker became a Top 20 hit in the US and UK 4 years after its original release.   

Elvis's version  appeared on his "From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee" album in 1976 but did not make the top 40, stalling at #48. 

The Last Farewell 

(Roger Whitaker)

1975

#19 Billboard Hot 100

#1 Billboard AC Chart

#2 UK Official Chart

The Last Farewell

(Elvis Presley)

1976

#48 Billboard Hot 100