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ELVIS PRESLEY AND HIS 15 ‘BLUE’ SONGS — COINCIDENCE OR A HIDDEN EMOTION?
Elvis Presley, the King of Rock & Roll, is widely celebrated for his electrifying performances and iconic voice. But there’s one subtle thread that runs through his musical catalog that often goes unnoticed: 15 of his recorded songs include the word “Blue” in the title.
Is this merely artistic coincidence—or a reflection of something deeper inside Elvis’s heart?
Here are the 15 “Blue” songs Elvis recorded:
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Blue Suede Shoes
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Blue Moon
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Blue Moon of Kentucky
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Blue Christmas
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Blue Hawaii
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Blue River
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Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
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Blueberry Hill
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Milky White Way (live with added “blue shadows” line)
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When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again
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Something Blue
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Blue Night
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Blue Monday (rare cover)
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Indescribably Blue
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Mean Woman Blues
Though Elvis didn’t write these songs himself, his choice to sing and popularize them says a lot. The theme of “blue” appears not just in title but often in the emotional undercurrent of the song.
The color “Blue” and American music tradition
In American music, “blue” isn’t just a color—it symbolizes melancholy. The phrase “feeling blue” predates Elvis and comes from the world of blues, gospel, and folk. Elvis, deeply rooted in gospel and country traditions, naturally gravitated toward these emotional shades.
“Blue Christmas” mourns a lonely holiday, “Blue Moon” speaks of longing, and “Something Blue” captures heartbreak with quiet devastation.
An artistic choice—or personal revelation?
Those close to Elvis often mentioned his loneliness, even at the peak of fame. His performances of these “blue” songs often carried an unmistakable vulnerability. It’s as if the color blue allowed Elvis to express what he couldn’t say outright.
In “Indescribably Blue,” the line “Our love was just an empty dream” stands as one of the most haunting revelations in his catalog.
Legacy of Blue: More Than Just a Mood
Today, the “blue” songs in Elvis’s discography are cherished not only for their melodies, but for the emotional weight they carry. They remain windows into the soul of a man whose fame couldn’t protect him from sorrow.
And maybe, just maybe, Elvis wasn’t just singing about “blue”—he was living it.