Original vs Elvis Remake

September 26th we celebrate the 70th birthday of the fantastic Olivia Newton-John, today its her first top 5 Billboard Hot 100 hit and first top 5 Billboard Country hit, what made this so great to listen to besides the beautiful Olivia was the bass harmony of Mike Sammes: 

"IF YOU LOVE ME (LET ME KNOW)" 

1974

April 1977 Elvis recorded his live version of this song to be released on the last album he released while still alive, "Moody Blue". 
This version was not released as an official single but has become famous for the great bass harmony of J. D. Sumner.

Original vs Elvis Remake

"Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" 

Willie Nelson
Album : "Red Headed Stranger"

1975

While not a Willie original, it did launch his career into high gear as this reached #1 on the Billboard Country Songs chart in October 1975 for 2 consecutive weeks.

"Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain"

Elvis Presley

Album : "From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee"

1976
Elvis Presley finally recorded "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" (having sung it privately with friends and family for years while accompanying himself on piano) in the Jungle Room at Graceland on February 7th 1976. This was the last known song that Elvis Presley sang (at the piano in the rest area of his Racquetball Court located to the rear of Graceland) before his death on August 16th 1977

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