Lisa Marie Presley’s Most Cherished Elvis Performances—And the 2 Songs She Loved Most

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, was not just a global icon—he was also a beloved father. For Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, her dad was her favorite performer. Watching him perform live and hearing him record iconic songs were some of the most cherished moments of her life. Yet, out of his vast catalog of hits, Lisa Marie had two songs that stood out as her personal favorites—songs she would often ask him to sing just for her.

In her forthcoming autobiography From Here to the Great Unknown, Lisa Marie reveals the two classic songs she loved most, and the sentimental connection she had to each of them. These songs were more than just hits; they were the soundtrack to her childhood, capturing both the power of Elvis’s voice and the deep emotional bond between father and daughter.

The Soulful Classics: “Hurt” and “How Great Thou Art”

Though Elvis’s discography includes hundreds of timeless songs, Lisa Marie’s love for two specific tracks is especially poignant. According to an excerpt from her daughter Riley Keough’s new book, Lisa Marie repeatedly asked her father to perform “Hurt” and “How Great Thou Art”—two soulful classics that showcased different aspects of Elvis’s extraordinary musical range.

The first, “Hurt,” was recorded by Elvis in 1976 and went on to become one of his hits. The song itself was originally written and recorded by Roy Hamilton in 1954, and Elvis’s version achieved both commercial success and critical acclaim, reaching the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 and making its way to the top 10 on the Hot Country Singles chart. While the song was popular with many, Lisa Marie had a special connection to it, often requesting her father sing it during his live performances.

The second song, “How Great Thou Art,” was deeply meaningful to both Elvis and Lisa Marie. Elvis recorded the gospel classic in May 1966, and it was part of his album How Great Thou Art. This recording would go on to be historic, earning Elvis his first-ever Grammy Award for Best Sacred Performance. For Lisa Marie, hearing her father’s emotional rendition of the song was a deeply spiritual experience that reflected both her father’s faith and the love they shared.

In From Here to the Great Unknown, Lisa Marie recalls that she would often ask Elvis to perform these songs just for her, and he would never refuse. This simple yet profound request shows the closeness between father and daughter, with Elvis always willing to share his most powerful songs with Lisa Marie.

A Daughter’s Adoration for Her Father’s Performances

For Lisa Marie, nothing could compare to the experience of seeing Elvis perform live. In From Here to the Great Unknown, she expressed that going to his shows was “her favorite thing in the world.” She was immensely proud of her father’s talent and star power, and it’s clear that the feeling of witnessing his electrifying performances was something that left an indelible mark on her.

Lisa Marie described the experience of attending his shows as “electrifying,” a word she felt best captured the palpable energy of the performances. She fondly recalled moments when Elvis would take her by the hand, leading her out on stage before the show began, before returning to her seat in the audience, typically alongside her grandfather, Vernon Presley. To Lisa Marie, these moments were magical—a child witnessing her father command the stage with his unparalleled charisma and energy.

“The electricity of those shows. There’s nothing I’ve felt that’s been even close to that feeling ever,” she wrote. “I loved watching him perform.”

The Creation of From Here to the Great Unknown

Lisa Marie’s book, From Here to the Great Unknown, was meant to be a personal autobiography, capturing her life and legacy as the daughter of Elvis Presley. Sadly, her life was cut short at 54, just before the book’s release in January 2023. Instead of writing her story down, Lisa Marie recorded hours of conversations about her life experiences—growing up at Graceland, living in the shadow of her famous father, and the complexities of her relationships and family life.

In the book, Lisa Marie also shares deeply personal moments, including her grief over the death of her son Benjamin Keough and her continuing journey with her surviving children, Riley, Finley, and Harper. Her reflections on life, love, and loss offer an intimate window into the life of a woman who was shaped by her father’s legacy but had her own unique story to tell.

One of the most heart-wrenching memories Lisa Marie shared was the tragic moment when Elvis passed away. She recalled being “dragged screaming out of the bathroom” as she ran towards his body, a memory that continues to haunt her. Yet, even through these deeply painful recollections, Lisa Marie’s love for her father remained unwavering, as did her pride in his legendary career.

Elvis Presley’s songs, especially the two most cherished by Lisa Marie, continue to resonate with fans and family alike. His music, like the memories of those who loved him, endures as a testament to his unmatched influence on the world of music and the Presley family’s unique bond.