Elvis Presley's first album, titled simply ‘Elvis Presley', was released in 1956 by RCA Victor. It is a rock ‘n' roll album, recorded between 1954 and 1956 in Memphis, Nashville and New York. It includes a mixture of original songs and covers of existing songs. The album was a great commercial success and was one of the first records to be certified as a gold record by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), reaching one million sales. It helped launch Elvis' career and put him on the map as a rock ‘n' roll artist.
The cover
The photo is taken from a live performance of the King. The place of the text on the photo of the cover is not due to chance. It hides the crotch which was made obscene by Elvis' wiggles. It is at least, what the puritanical detractors of Elvis said.
In 1979, The Clash pay tribute to this cover for their album “London Calling”.
Blue Suede Shoes
The album opens with this song. Carl Perkins wrote and recorded this rock'n'roll standard in 1955, but it was Elvis Presley's version that made it a big hit. A 19th century children's rhyme, One for the Money, inspired the lyrics of the first verse of the song.
Well, it's one for the money two for the show
Three to get ready now go, cat, go
A wop bop a loo bop a lop ba ba
Tutti Frutti is another cover that opens the B-side of the record. Little Richard recorded this song in 1955. It is sometimes considered to be the song that marks the invention of rock'n'roll.