The weekly global Elvis Presley chart update. The chart run for the recent 1969 concert sets is almost over while the usual featured albums sell us usual. In the U.S. it appears Elvis Week helped some compilations back on the chart, but with Elvis week over, so is the chart run.
US Billboard charts:
US Billboard charts:
- US Billboard Album Top 200: “The Essential Elvis Presley” dropped off the chart from last week’s #136 spot.
- US Billboard Top Album Sales chart: “Elvis: International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada August 26, 1969” dropped off the chart from last week’s #90 spot.
- US Billboard Top Current Albums: “Elvis: International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada August 26, 1969” dropped off the chart from last week’s debut at #65.
- US Billboard Top Current Albums: “Live 1969, International Hotel Las Vegas, Nevada” dropped off the chart from last week’s debut at #82.
- US Billboard Top Country Album chart: “The Essential Elvis Presley” dropped off the chart from last week’s #16 spot.
- US Billboard Country Album Sales chart: “Elvis: Live 1969, International Hotel Las Vegas, Nevada” dropped from #10 to #30.
- US Billboard Country Album Sales chart: “The Best Of The '68 Comeback Special ” dropped from #38 to #44.
- US Billboard Country Album Sales chart: “Elvis: International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada August 26, 1969” dropped from #7 to #45.
- US Billboard country Catalog Album chart: “The Essential Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley” dropped off the chart from last week’s #9 spot.
- US Billboard country Catalog Album chart: “ELV1S 30 #1 Hits” dropped off the chart from last week’s re-entry at #16.
- US Billboard country Catalog Album chart: “Heart and Soul” remained steady at #19.
- US Billboard Top Rock Album chart: “The Essential Elvis Presley” dropped off the chart from last week’s #25 spot.
- US Billboard Rock Album Sales chart: “Elvis: International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada August 26, 1969” dropped off the chart from last week’s debut at #24.
- US Billboard Rock Album Sales chart: “Elvis: Live 1969, International Hotel Las Vegas, Nevada” dropped off the chart from last week’s debut at #30.
- US Billboard Top Christian Album chart: “Elvis: Ultimate Gospel” climbed from #33 to #30.
- US Billboard Top Rock Album chart: “The Essential Elvis Presley” dropped off the chart from last week’s #25 spot.
- US Billboard Top Rock Album chart: “Elvis: International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada August 26, 1969” dropped off the chart from last week’s debut at #24.
- US Billboard Top Rock Album chart: “Elvis: Live 1969, International Hotel Las Vegas, Nevada” dropped off the chart from last week’s debut at #30.
- US Billboard Top Rock Album chart: “The Essential Elvis Presley” dropped off the chart from last week’s #25 spot.
- US Billboard Vinyl Album chart: “Elvis: International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada August 26, 1969” dropped off the chart from last week’s debut at #6.
- US Billboard Rock Album Sales chart: “Elvis: International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada August 26, 1969” dropped off the chart from last week’s debut at #24.
- US Billboard Rock Album Sales chart: “Elvis: Live 1969, International Hotel Las Vegas, Nevada” dropped off the chart from last week’s debut at #30.
- US Billboard Christian Album chart: “Where No One Stands Alone” dropped from #24 to #28.
- US Billboard Music Video chart: “He Touched Me: The Gospel Music Of Elvis Presley: Volumes 1 & 2” dropped off the chart from last week’s re-entry at #5.
- US Billboard Artist chart: Elvis Presley dropped from #65 to #100.
- Official UK Album chart: “The 50 Greatest Hits” climbed from #89 to #87.
- Official UK Streaming Album chart: “The 50 Greatest Hits” remained steady at #68.
- Official UK Christian and Gospel Album chart: “Where No One Stands Alone” dropped from #11 to #17.
- Official UK Music DVD chart: “Elvis The Searcher” climbed from #1 to #14.
- Official UK Music DVD chart: “Elvis Lives - Live From Memphis” dropped from #23 to #26.
- Official Scottish Album chart: “Elvis at the Movies - 60 Essential Recordings” climbed from #95 to #66.
- Irish IRMA Album chart: “The Real … Elvis” dropped off the chart from last week’s #97 spot.
- Official Irish Music DVD chart: “Elvis The Searcher” remained steady at #2.
- SNEP Physical Album Top 200: “Elvis Live 1969” dropped from #132 to #172.
- Australian ARIA Music DVD chart: “'68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition)” dropped from #9 to #13.
- Belgian UltraTop Album chart: “ELV1S 30 #1 Hits” re-entry at #190 (Flanders).
- Belgian UltraTop Album chart: Elvis Live 1969” dropped off the chart from last week’s #159 spot.
- Belgian UltraTop Album chart: “ELV1S 30 #1 Hits” dropped off the chart from last week’s re-entry at #134 (Wallonia).
Suspicious Top 5
As part of the publicity for the release of the "Elvis Live 1969" and "American Sound 1969" sets the Ultimate Classic Rock website asked Ernst Jorgensen to pick out his Top 5 favorite recordings of "Suspicious Minds" from the eight years that Elvis performed this song.
Back when Elvis released 'Suspicious Minds' on August 26, 1969, he was on the cusp of his final grand musical resurrection. The Chips Moman produced 'Suspicious Minds' would prove that at Memphis' American Sound Studio Elvis was singing better, and making more consistently great music, than he had in years. Here are Ernst Jorgensen's Top Five.
5. American Sound 1969 (The Outtakes).
The undubbed master from the original recording session in January 1969. As Elvis had learned the hard way in the mid-'60s, without a great song, it doesn't matter how good a singer you are. This basic version of the song, before all the overdubbed musicians and singers, and without the legendary "endless" ending, proves just that point. This naked version shows just how strong the song and Elvis' performance are. Possibly more poignant than any other version, this has timeless beauty, which will forever stand the challenge of time and fashion.
4. Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite, Jan. 14, 1973.
The most known version of all and also on film. The claim at the time was that Aloha From Hawaii was watched by no less than 1 billion people. The show has reappeared again and again on TV, and if people have a memory of his exceptional performance of the song, this version is most likely what they remember.
3. As Recorded at Madison Square Garden, June 10, 1972.
"Suspicious Minds" would be a highlight of most shows for the rest of Elvis' career, and literally hundreds of versions exist. This New York version represented a triumph for Elvis. He had never played in New York City, and basically felt that people "up there" didn't like him, based on the devastating criticism that the New York media had given in his early career.
Four sold-out shows at the Garden was a sweet revenge and triumph, and his band probably never played better than here.
2. Elvis Live 1969, Aug. 25, 1969, Midnight Show (Elvis In Person)
When Elvis returned to live performances on July 31, 1969, he had compiled a set list of many of his older hits, mixed it with some new songs, and highlighted it with a seven-minute version of "Suspicious Minds" to be the climax of the show. His faith in the song was immense - it hadn't even been released as a single yet. This performance, on the eve of its release as a single, has a unique extended instrumental introduction, and displays Elvis and his band at their most passionate, virtuosic and barely-in-control best. By the end, Elvis is spent; he has given everything to his performance.
1. Original studio recording, January 1969, American Sound Studio, Memphis
In 1969 Elvis had just relaunched an otherwise fading career with, first, the NBC TV show and then the legendary recording sessions in Memphis. The first release from the sessions, "In the Ghetto," brought him back to the top of the charts. "Suspicious Minds" was the second single from these sessions and took him back to the No. 1 spot. It is one of Elvis' most enduring hits.