Elvis Presley and The Beatles are two of the biggest names in music history, often seen as representatives of different eras. The Beatles famously idolized Elvis, with Paul McCartney once saying, “When we were kids growing up in Liverpool, all we ever wanted was to be Elvis Presley.”
Elvis wasn’t always vocal about his thoughts on their success, but he did acknowledge their influence – sometimes by putting his own spin on their songs.
Over the years, Presley covered several Beatles tracks, reworking them with his signature sound. Here are five of them, and how he made them his own in different ways:
‘Get Back’
Originally released as a single in April 1969, ‘Get Back’ was later included on Let It Be in 1970. The song was The Beatles’ return to a rawer, live-in-the-studio sound, featuring Billy Preston on keyboards.
Elvis incorporated ‘Get Back’ into a medley with his own song, ‘Little Sister’, during his 1970s Las Vegas residency. This medley was performed frequently during his live shows, with multiple recordings available from the era. Unlike The Beatles’ version, which maintains a steady, bouncing rhythm, Elvis’ take had a looser, more improvisational feel.
‘Yesterday’
‘Yesterday’ is one of the most covered songs in history, with over 2,000 recorded versions by various artists. The Beatles’ version is a simple, melancholic ballad accompanied by an acoustic guitar and a string quartet.
Elvis added it to his Las Vegas setlist in August 1969, performing it alongside ‘Hey Jude’. His version was more piano-driven than the original, with lush backing vocals enhancing the arrangement.
‘Hey Jude’
Released in 1968, ‘Hey Jude’ was The Beatles’ longest single, clocking in at over seven minutes.
Elvis rehearsed it during his 1969 Memphis sessions with producer Chips Moman, resulting in a recording that appeared on his 1972 album Elvis Now. This version, however, is significantly shorter and more relaxed than The Beatles’ epic original. Unlike McCartney’s structured build-up to an emotional climax, Elvis’ version is more casual, skipping the lengthy outro and focusing on the song’s core message.
‘Something’
Written by George Harrison, ‘Something’ was released in 1969 on Abbey Road and became one of The Beatles’ most celebrated love songs. Frank Sinatra famously called it “the greatest love song of the past 50 years,” and it remains one of the most covered Beatles tracks.
Elvis performed ‘Something’ during his Aloha from Hawaii TV special in 1973, an event that was broadcast live via satellite to millions of viewers worldwide. His version was more of a power ballad, featuring the grand instrumentation and vocal intensity characteristic of his live performances at the time.
‘Lady Madonna’
Originally released as a single in 1968, ‘Lady Madonna’ showcased The Beatles’ return to a more rock and roll sound.
Elvis recorded his own version of Lady Madonna in 1971 as an impromptu studio jam. This informal take was not released until 1995, when it appeared on the box set Walk a Mile in My Shoes: The Essential ’70s Masters. Elvis’ take added a Southern twist, emphasizing the song’s bluesy undertones.