Songwriters Who Wrote Elvis' Songs Quiz

Answer: You'll Never Walk Alone

"You'll Never Walk Alone" was a tune from the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Carousel". Elvis released the song as a single in 1968.
"Don't Cry Daddy" was composed by Mac Davis using the name Scott Davis. Elvis recorded the single in 1969. Lisa Marie Presley re-recorded "Don't Cry Daddy" as a duet using her father's voice in 1997 but the duet was not released commercially.
"In the Ghetto" was originally titled "The Vicious Circle" when Mac Davis wrote it. Elvis Presley had a major hit with the song in 1969.
"Memories" was written by Mac Davis and Billy Strange and first performed by Elvis during his 1968 special. Mac Davis and Billy Strange also wrote "Charro" for the 1969 Elvis film of the same name and "A Little Less Conversation" which Elvis sang in the 1968 movie, "Live a Little, Love a Little".
Interesting fact; On October 15, 1955, a young Mac Davis was in the audience at the Cotton Club dance hall in Lubbock, Texas, where he saw Buddy Holly (working with Bob Montgomery as Buddy and Bob) and Elvis on the same bill.

Answer: And the Grass Won't Pay No Mind

Neil originally recorded "Soolaimon" as a single with "And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind" on the flip side in 1970. "And the Grass Won't Pay No Mind" was recorded in February, 1969, for Elvis' 36th album, "From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis". Neil Diamond's songs have been recorded by artists as diverse as The Monkees, UB40 and Urge Overkill.
"A Little Bit of Green" was composed by Calvin Arnold, David Martin and Geoff Morrow. Mort Shuman wrote "You'll Think of Me" and "Without Love" was written by Danny Small.
Interesting fact; Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand were in the same choral group at Erasmus High School and later recorded "You Don't Bring Me Flowers Any More" together.

Answer: Tomorrow is A Long Long Time

Elvis Presley recorded Dylan's "Tomorrow is A Long Long Time" in 1966 for his "How Great Thou Art" album. The following year the album garnered a Grammy Nomination in The Best Sacred Performance category. Bob Dylan later related that he treasured Elvis' version of "Tomorrow is A Long Long Time".
The song was also on the soundtrack album from Elvis' 1966 movie, "Spinout".
There were five public domain songs on the "How Great Thou Art" LP that were credited as arranged by Elvis.
"In the Garden" was on the "How Great Thou Art" album and written by C. Austin. Mosie Lister wrote "Miles Where No One Stands Alone" which Elvis recorded for the same album. "Without Him" was composed by Mylon LeFevre.
Interesting fact; Both Elvis and Bob Dylan have recorded versions of "Blue Moon", "Early Morning Rain", "Let it be Me" and "Can't Help Falling in Love".

Answer: Hank Snow

Hank Snow composed and recorded "I'm Movin' On" in 1950. It stayed on the top of the Country charts for 12 weeks. In addition to Elvis the song has been recorded by Led Zeppelin, Dave Dudley, Mickey Gilley, Tina Turner, Roy Acuff and many more.
In 1969 "From Elvis in Memphis" marked a return to studio albums as opposed to soundtrack releases for Elvis. Elvis recorded several songs on the album that had a Country influence such as "It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'", "Gentle on My Mind" and "I'll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arms)". Among the artists who contributed backing vocals were Sandy Posey, Ronnie Milsap and Donna Thatcher.
Interesting Fact; Hank Snow was the artist who introduced Elvis Presley when 19-year-old Elvis appeared at The Grand Ole Opry on October 2, 1954.

Answer: Don't Be Cruel

"Don't Be Cruel" was one of the first songs published by Elvis Presley Music. Otis Blackwell actually composed the song but was glad to share songwriting credit with Elvis. Elvis was also listed as co-writer on "Love Me tender".
Blackwell wrote many other early Rock hits including "Great Balls of Fire", "Fever" and "Handy Man". He was asked to appear in Elvis' movie, "Girls, Girls, Girls" but declined.
"I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" was Elvis' second RCA single and was written by Maurice Mysels and Ira Kosloff. "Love Me" was composed by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear" was written by Kal Mann and Bernie Lowe.
Interesting fact; Despite Otis Blackwell getting co-writing credits with Elvis on three hit songs Blackwell related in a "Late Night with David Letterman" interview that he never met Elvis personally.

Answer: What'd I Say

"What'd I Say" was written and released by Ray Charles in 1959. When the song was released it established Ray as a Pop crossover artist and became Ray's first Gold Record. In 1964 Elvis Presley performed "What'd I Say" during a dance sequence in the movie "Viva Las Vegas". It was released as a single with "Viva Las Vegas" on the B-side.
"It Hurts Me" was a 1964 Top 40 single released by Elvis written by Joy Byers and Charles E. Daniels. "I'm Yours" was by Don Robertson and Hal Blair and recorded by Elvis Presley on the album," Pot Luck with Elvis" in 1962. Elvis recorded the Robert Higginbotham composition "Hi-Heel Sneakers" in 1968.
Interesting fact; Elvis and Ray Charles both recorded versions of "Blue Moon of Kentucky" early in their careers.

Answer: Artie is Glenn's father

Artie Glenn composed "Crying in the Chapel" for his son Darrell and his band the Rhythm Riders to record in 1953. Their recording became a local hit and eventually received national exposure. Rex Allen, Ella Fitzgerald and Art Lund are among the artists who also recorded successful versions of the song.
In 1960 Elvis recorded a version for his Gospel album, "His Hand in Mine" but the song was not included on the album when it was released. "Crying in the Chapel" was subsequently released as a single and made the US Top ten.
Interesting fact; In 1968 The Wailers featuring Bob Marley recorded a version of "Crying in the Chapel" titled "Selassie Is the Chapel". It was the first Rastafarian song recorded by the group.

Answer: Jerry Reed

Elvis also recorded "A Thing Called Love" and "Talk About The Good Times" written by Jerry Reed. In 1967 Reed released "Guitar Man" and enjoyed moderate success with the single. Elvis was recording in Memphis and heard the song. He not only wanted to record the song, he insisted that Reed play guitar. Reed played on the session and also played on subsequent sessions for recordings including "Big Boss Man", (1967)" Stay Away" and "Goin' Home" (1968).
Reed would go on to have successful hits, appear on several television shows and work with Burt Reynolds in films such as "Smokey and the Bandit" (1977).
"Big Boss Man" was written by Luther Dixon and Al Smith, "If I Can Dream" was written by Walter Earl Brown and "There's Always Me" was by Don Robertson.
Interesting fact; Jerry Reed was so nervous playing at his first session for Elvis that he made several mistakes playing the intro to "Guitar Man".

Answer: Heartbreak Hotel

"Heartbreak Hotel" was Presley's first release after leaving Sun Records for RCA Victor and his first Number One single. Mae Boren obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma. She married John T. Axton and introduced Elvis Presley to Colonel Tom Parker after Elvis performed in Memphis. She later suggested to RCA that they should sign Presley and co-wrote "Heartbreak Hotel" with Thomas Durden in 1955. She was credited with composing over 200 songs.
"Hound Dog" reached Number Two in 1956.It was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. "Love Me Tender" was a 1956 Number One single adapted from the tune of "Aura Lee". "Jailhouse Rock" was a 1957 hit written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.
Interesting fact; Although Hoyt Axton became a songwriter and singer, his brother John was not influenced by his mother's musical inclinations. He became an attorney.

Answer: James Taylor

James Taylor composed "Steamroller Blues" and recorded it for his 1970 "Sweet Baby James" album. Elvis added the song to his concert lineup and it was included on the "Aloha From Hawaii: Via Satellite" LP. When Elvis released "Steamroller Blues" as a single it reached Number 17 on the 1973 US Pop charts and became his highest charting single that year.
Joni Mitchell sang harmony on Taylor's version of "You've Got a Friend". Carole King composed "You've Got a Friend". Jim Croce's first US Top Ten was "You Don't Mess Around with Jim" in 1972.
Interesting fact; Both James Taylor and Bob Dylan wrote songs that Elvis recorded. Both artists had their careers interrupted because of motorcycle crashes.