3 Eternal Acoustic Classics by Elvis Presley from His 1968 Comeback Special ‘Elvis’

Born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis Presley became known for popularizing rock and roll, swinging his hips, and singing with either a great growl or a bellow. But he was not always known for playing instruments. He was a singer and a performer first, and a musician perhaps second. At least, that is what many people believed until they saw “Elvis,” his in-studio acoustic concert aired on NBC that’s also referred to as his “’68 Comeback Special.”

It was then Elvis busted out the acoustic and played some of his more well-known tracks on the six-string. That wasn’t the first time he played acoustic, of course, but it was one of the most popular. Here below, we wanted to revisit that moment. To enjoy watching Elvis hammer away on the guitar while showing off his one-of-a-kind voice. Indeed, these are three eternal classic Elvis Presley acoustic songs.

[RELATED: On This Day: Fans Hear Elvis for the First Time on Radio With “That’s All Right” in 1954]

“Heartbreak Hotel” from Elvis (1968)

This single was originally released on January 27, 1956. And Elvis revisits it for his 1968 show, dressed in leather with his dark black hair slicked back. He’s all charm, all sex appeal, picking up his six-string acoustic guitar. When he begins to play, he growls the howling blues song about heartbreak and loneliness. At one point it’s so overwhelming, he has to pause and take an extra breath. On the classic song, he sings,

Well, since my baby left me
Well, I found a new place to dwell
Well, it’s down at the end of Lonely Street
At Heartbreak Hotel
Where I’ll be, I’ll be so lonely, baby
Well, I’m so lonely
I’ll be so lonely, I could die

“Blue Suede Shoes” from Elvis (1968)

Originally released on the self-titled 1956 album Elvis Presley, on which he’s actually holding an acoustic guitar and singing his heart out, this song is about going nuts while also keeping one’s shoes pristine. Shoes can make the man, so go and dance but don’t you dare step on Elvis’ kicks! This is one of the songs that made The King famous, and on it he sings,

Well, it’s one for the money two for the show
Three to get ready now go, cat, go

But don’t you step on my blue suede shoes
Well you can do anything but
Lay off of my blue suede shoes

Well, you can knock me down, step in my face
Slander my name all over the place
Do anything that you want to do
But uh-uh honey, lay off of my shoes

“Baby, What You Want Me To Do” from Elvis (1968)

Originally written and recorded by Jimmy Reed in 1959, Elvis decided to cover this song for his comeback special in 1968 nearly a decade later. It’s a straight blues tune and Elvis plays it with soul and aplomb, showcasing his roots first and foremost as a blues artist. On the hefty proto-rock track, Elvis sings,

We’re goin’ up, we’re goin’ down
We’re goin’ up, down down up
Any way you want to let it roll
Yeah, yeah, yeah
You got me doin’ what you want me
Oh baby what you want me to do

You got me peepin’ you got me hidin’
You got me peep hide hide peep
Any way you want to let it roll
Yeah yeah yeah
You got me doin what you want me
Baby what you want me to do

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Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images