In a biopic about Elvis Presley, having a high volume of memorable songs is a must, and Elvis does not disappoint. A predictable route for an Elvis biopic would be to just include Elvis’s most iconic songs, but like Elvis itself, Baz Luhrmann takes an unconventional approach to the Elvis 2022 movie soundtrack. Rather than a typical “greatest hits” soundtrack, Luhrmann opts for a soundtrack of modern covers and original songs sampling Elvis’s classics by contemporary artists, which is an approach similar to Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby.
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The Elvis 2022 movie soundtrack includes a plethora of different kinds of songs to fill out its soundtrack. Covers like Måneskin’s “If I Can Dream”, original songs that sample iconic songs like Doja Cat’s “Vegas”, and reworkings of Elvis’s classics like “Craw-Fever” are just some of the offerings that underscore the film’s important moments. It also includes straightforward renditions of Elvis’s tunes, whether sung by Elvis or Austin Butler, who brought the singer to life onscreen. The diverse nature of this soundtrack and its selection of artists means it offers something for everyone.
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The Songs From The Elvis 2022 Movie Soundtrack
Although the songs do not always sound exactly like the originals they pay homage to, they aim to make audiences feel the way it might have felt to listen to Elvis’s music during his heyday. The Elvis 2022 movie soundtrack’s maximalist approach perfectly mimics and pairs with the film itself, breathing new energy into the larger-than-life persona and music of the King of Rock and Roll. Here is every song that appears in Elvis, including where they appear in the film.
Suspicious Minds (Intro) by Elvis Presley - This snippet from Elvis’s classic “Suspicious Minds” is the first song heard during the opening of the movie.
Also Sprach Zathathrusta/An American Trilogy by Elvis Presley - “Also Sprach Zathathrusta/An American Trilogy” occurs at the beginning of the movie when Elvis is performing in Las Vegas, having being forced onstage by Colonel Parker moments after he is revived when he collapses before the show.
Vegas by Doja Cat - In “Vegas”, Doja Cat pays homage to the Black artists that influenced Elvis’s music by sampling Big Mama Thornton’s “Hound Dog”, a song that Elvis famously covered. “Vegas” appears in the movie during a montage of 1950s Beale Street.
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The King And I by Eminem and CeeLo Green - “The King And I”, which samples the riff of Elvis’s “Jailhouse Rock”, appears during the film’s end credits.
Tupelo Shuffle by Swae Lee and Diplo - “Tupelo Shuffle”, which samples Elvis’s cover of “That’s All Right”, is one of many pieces of modern music in Elvis and is heard when young Elvis is listening to a performance by the original singer of “That’s All Right”, Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup. It also plays during the film’s end credits.
Craw-Fever by Elvis Presley - “Craw-Fever”, which is a mashup of Elvis’s songs “Crawfish” and “Fever”, plays when Colonel Parker decides to solely manage Elvis, drawing up a contract for the Presley family to sign and forever changing the course of their lives.
Can’t Help Falling In Love by Kacey Musgraves - Kacey Musgraves’s rendition of “Can’t Help Falling In Love” is heard when Elvis and Priscilla share a kiss in Germany, where Elvis was stationed during his time in the Army.
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Product of the Ghetto by Nardo Wick - “Product of the Ghetto” plays over the text that appears at the end of the film that detail the legacies of Colonel Parker and Elvis Presley prior to the film’s end credits.
If I Can Dream by Måneskin - Måneskin’s cover of Elvis’s “If I Can Dream” appears over the film’s end credits.
Cotton Candy Land by Stevie Nicks and Chris Isaak - “Cotton Candy Land” is heard during an establishing shot of Colonel Parker’s collapse at the beginning of the film.
Baby, Let’s Play House by Austin Butler - “Baby, Let’s Play House” appears early in the film when Elvis performs at the Louisiana Hayride, introducing his music (and his iconic dancing) to both a wider audience and Colonel Parker.
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I’m Coming Home by Elvis Presley - “I’m Coming Home” plays over Elvis’s film career after his discharge from the Army.
Hound Dog by Shonka Dukureh - “Hound Dog” appears early in the movie during a montage of Beale Street.
Tutti Frutti by Les Greene - “Tutti Frutti” appears in the film when Elvis and B.B. King watch Little Richard perform the song at Club Handy on Beale Street.
Strange Things Happening Everyday by Yola - “Strange Things Happening Everyday” plays during a scene transition between Club Handy to one of Elvis’s concerts.
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Hound Dog by Austin Butler - Elvis performs “Hound Dog” on The Milton Berle Show, where he sparks controversy over his dance moves.
Let It All Hang Out by Denzel Curry - “Let It All Hang Out” plays when Elvis goes to Club Handy to blow off steam after an argument with his mother.
Trouble by Austin Butler - Elvis performs “Trouble” at a concert to remind his fans who “the real Elvis” is after Colonel Parker’s attempts to clean up his controversial image in the media.
I Got A Feelin’ In My Body by Lenesha Randolf - “I Got A Feelin’ In My Body” appears prior to Elvis’s meeting with Steve Binder at the Hollywood sign.
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Edge of Reality (Tame Impala Remix) by Elvis Presley and Tame Impala - “Edge of Reality” plays during the transition to 1968 when Elvis finds out about the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Summer Kisses/In My Body by Elvis Presley - “Summer Kisses/In My Body”, which is a mashup of Elvis’s songs “Summer Kisses, Winter Tears” and “I Got A Feelin’ In My Body”, appears during the film’s end credits.
‘68 Comeback Special (Medley) by Elvis Presley - “‘68 Comeback Special (Medley)” features many Elvis classics, such as “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Hound Dog”, “Blue Suede Shoes”, and “Jailhouse Rock”, which he performed at during the TV special that would be known as the ‘68 Comeback Special.
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child by Jazmine Sullivan - “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” is first heard (fittingly) while Elvis and his father are sitting in front of Graceland after the death of his mother. It plays again during the filming of the ‘68 Comeback Special when Elvis and the rest of the crew are watching coverage of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy on TV.
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If I Can Dream by Elvis Presley - Austin Butler's Elvis portrayal closes out the ‘68 Comeback Special with “If I Can Dream”, providing comfort and reassurance to an American audience that's reeling over the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy.
Power of My Love by Elvis Presley and Jack White - “Power of My Love” can be heard when Elvis begins to take more control of the artistic direction of his career after the ‘68 Comeback Special before once again falling under the influence and the control of Colonel Parker.
Vegas Rehearsal/That’s All Right by Austin Butler and Elvis Presley - “Vegas Rehearsal/That’s All Right” plays when Elvis is rehearsing for his first concert at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, which then transitions into his performance of “That’s All Right” at the concert.
Suspicious Minds by Elvis Presley - “Suspicious Minds” is one of the songs Elvis is seen performing during his residency at the International Hotel in Las Vegas.
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Polk Salad Annie by Elvis Presley - Elvis performs “Polk Salad Annie” in concert during his residency at the International Hotel in Las Vegas.
Burning Love by Elvis Presley - Elvis sings “Burning Love” at a performance during his residency at the International Hotel in Las Vegas.
It’s Only Love by Elvis Presley - “It’s Only Love” is heard when narration from Colonel Parker describes Elvis’s 1973 Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite special.
Suspicious Minds by Paravi - Paravi’s cover of “Suspicious Minds” is heard during the airport scene prior to Elvis and Priscilla’s final meeting at the end of Elvis.
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In the Ghetto by Elvis Presley and Nardo Wick - “In the Ghetto” plays over the text at the end of the film detailing the legacies of Colonel Parker and Elvis Presley prior to the film’s end credits, eventually transitioning into Nardo Wick’s “Product of the Ghetto”.
Unchained Melody by Elvis Presley - “Unchained Melody” appears at the end of the film during one of Elvis’s last performances prior to his premature death, memorably featuring performance footage of the real-life Elvis.
Elvis Was Nominated For Seven Oscars But Snubbed For Music
The Elvis 2022 movie soundtrack has several songs in the movie. While not every song was by Elvis Presley himself, many of them were even contemporary songs and performances by modern artists. While Austin Butler picked up an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, hoping to replicate his success after winning the Golden Globes award for the same honor, the Oscars chose to snub the movie when it came to honoring the year's music in movies. Elvis picked up seven Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture.
However, the Elvis 2022 movie soundtrack had nothing to show when it came to the Oscars awards for music. There is also a chance that Baz Luhrmann's controversial habit of choosing modern music for his period pieces rubbed some Oscar voters the wrong way, as he didn't get a Best Director nom either. However, the movie did pick up five more nominations for Film Editing, Best Cinematography, Makeup And Hairstyling, Costume Design, and Sound.
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