ITV celebrated the King of Rock ’n’ Roll with The Nation’s Favourite Elvis Song, a one-off music special that first aired in 2013. The programme invited fans to vote for their most beloved Elvis Presley tracks, counting down from a shortlist of 20 classics to reveal Britain’s number one choice.
Blending performances, archive footage, and commentary from friends, collaborators, and celebrity admirers, the show offered both a nostalgic look at Presley’s enduring influence and a lively debate over which hit deserved the top spot. Airing in the run-up to Christmas, it proved a ratings success and reinforced Elvis’s status as one of the most popular and influential figures in music history.
So if you’re wondering which song was voted The Nation’s Favourite Elvis Song, here’s the full results list from the ITV music special.
Elvis Presley in Jailhouse Rock
With tracks that would’ve been the highlight of most artists’ careers not even making the list, in the eyes of the mainstream, these are truly the best of the best. So in reverse order, here’s the complete top 20 as they were revealed:
The Nation’s Favourite Elvis Song – The Results
- 20. King Creole 1958
- 19. If I Can Dream 1969
- 18. Don’t Be Cruel 1956
- 17. Viva Las Vegas 1964
- 16. Heartbreak Hotel 1956
- 15. An American Trilogy 1972
- 14. It’s Now or Never 1960
- 13. All Shook Up 1957
- 12. Blue Suede Shoes 1956
- 11. The Wonder of You 1970
- 10. Are You Lonesome Tonight 1961
- 9. Return to Sender 1962
- 8. Love Me Tender 1956
- 7. Hound Dog 1956
- 6. Jailhouse Rock 1958
- 5. A Little Less Conversation 1968/2002
- 4. In The Ghetto 1969
- 3. Can’t Help Falling In Love 1962
- 2. Suspicious Minds 1969
Winner and Number 1. Always On My Mind 1972
Always On My Mind, which was originally a country song first recorded by Brenda Lee, was written by Johnny Christopher, Wayne Carson, and Mark James.
While watching The Nation’s Favourite Elvis Song as the show quickly motored through the list, it became apparent ITV could easily have made the chart into a full series. The story behind many of Elvis’ songs could easily be made into a documentary all of their own.
As with many charts, this line-up is perhaps more notable for the tracks left out than those which made it. There’s no doubt, though, that the top 20 would have far more credibility as the nation’s favourites if ITV had actually conducted a full public vote prior to the making of the programme.
Though the 90-minute chart rundown may leave Elvis’ biggest fans wanting more, the show will at least add new members to the King’s already massive following.