Yes, Elvis Presley had many number-one hits, with a total of 18 songs reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart and even more on other charts, including his early country hits like "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" and massive pop hits like "Heartbreak Hotel," "Don't Be Cruel," and "Jailhouse Rock," solidifying his status as a chart-topping legend.
Record Chart Statistics
Elvis has had no less than 149 songs to appear on Billboard's Hot 100 Pop Chart in America. Of these, 114 were in the top forty, 40 were in the top 10, and 18 went to number one. His number one singles spent a total of 80 weeks at number one.
Elvis Presley's biggest hit is widely considered to be "It's Now or Never" (1960), his best-selling single ever, moving over 20 million copies worldwide and topping charts globally. Other massive hits include the iconic double-sided hit "Don't Be Cruel / Hound Dog" (1956), which dominated charts, and enduring classics like "Jailhouse Rock," "Love Me Tender," and "Suspicious Minds".
"Heartbreak Hotel" became Elvis' first #1 on Billboard's pop singles chart and his first gold record award winner. It reigned on the Billboard pop charts for eight weeks of its 27-week stay. It also enjoyed a 27-week run on the country singles chart with 17 of those weeks at #1.
Dolly Parton refused to let Elvis Presley record her song, "I Will Always Love You," because his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, demanded half the publishing rights, which Parton would not give up, believing the song was her most important copyright and retirement fund. Although Elvis loved the song and sang it to Priscilla Presley after their divorce, the deal fell through due to Parker's insistence on the publishing cut, a decision Parton later recognized as prescient when Whitney Houston made the song a global phenomenon.
Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe apparently had a clandestine affair. Tons of tabloids and biographers have claimed that the two icons engaged in a secret romantic relationship in their time. According to these accounts, it was an on-and-off thing that continued sporadically over the years.
Gordon Stoker of the Jordanaires, tells how Elvis did not want to record 'Blue Christmas' for inclusion on Elvis' Christmas Album. After the producers told him he had too, Elvis asked the Jordanaires and band to come up with something so bad that it would never see the light of day as a single.
It's a debate with no single answer, as Elvis Presley was bigger in US chart dominance (114 Top 40 hits vs. MJ's 36) and pioneering rock, while Michael Jackson achieved greater global reach, international tours, and broader multimedia influence (music videos, dance). Both are among the biggest artists ever, selling over a billion records, but Elvis was the original King of Rock, while Jackson became the King of Pop with unparalleled global cultural saturation.
In the top 20, Elvis had 61 songs and The Beatles 37. Near the top of the chart, however, the Fab Four closed the gap and overtook Elvis. Presley still had more in the top 10 (38 to 31) and the top 5 (32 to 29), but at the coveted #1 position, The Beatles dominated Elvis with 20 chart-toppers to Presley's 14.
I learned very early in life that: 'Without a song, the day would never end; without a song, a man ain't got a friend; without a song, the road would never bend - without a song.
According to Guinness World Records, Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" (1942) is the best-selling single worldwide, with estimated sales of over 50 million copies.
The Top 40 favourite Elvis singles as voted for by Radio 2 listeners are:
Elvis Presley's biggest songs inc. Suspicious Minds, Trouble, Can't Help Falling in Love, If I Can Dream, (You're The) Devil In Disguise, Jailhouse Rock, Burning Love, Always On My Mind, Hound Dog and more.
If we're talking pure sales, it's possible the honor would go to 1960's “It's Now Or Never” — which is believed to be Presley's biggest international hit, selling roughly 25 million copies worldwide.
According to a 1989 Los Angeles Times article, his "average concert gross in the mid-'70s was $130,000 a night," which puts him in the $700,000 range or so in modern dollars. Elvis deserved everything he earned. Elvis lived to bring joy to his fans. His concert tickets were very reasonable like $10 or $15 .
Taylor Swift earned her 13th No. 1 song in 2025, tying Michael Jackson and Drake for fifth place. The Beatles have the most No. 1 songs ever (20), followed closely by Mariah Carey (19).
Music experts and critics universally acknowledge Elvis's musical prowess. His impact on popular music is undeniable, with many considering him one of the greatest performers of all time.
“When it comes to estate earnings… It's MJ, then an enormous canyon, then everybody else.” For comparison, Elvis Presley's estate ranks second with $1.2 billion, despite having a 32-year head start. Rather impressively, Elvis has been on the list every year since Forbes began recording the list.
Michael Jackson's Wikipedia page, People.com article, Reddit post, Tyla article, YouTube video, YouTube video, Facebook post, Michael Jackson's Legacy website Michael Jackson's final words, as reported during his doctor Conrad Murray's trial, were pleas for "milk," which was his nickname for the powerful anesthetic Propofol. He reportedly told Murray, "I'd like to have some milk," and "Please, please give him some milk" because it was the only way he could sleep, leading to the fatal overdose that ended his life in 2009.
Dolly Parton said no to Elvis Presley recording "I Will Always Love You" because his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, demanded half of the publishing rights, which Parton refused to give up, as she wanted to keep ownership and the future earnings for her family. Despite her heartbreak at the missed opportunity, she held firm to her business principle, understanding that retaining the copyright was crucial for her financial security and legacy, a decision that paid off immensely after Whitney Houston's cover became a global phenomenon.
Frank Sinatra when Elvis passed, "I shall miss him as a friend, he was such a warm, considerate, and generous man." ❤
“Usually you pass it all in two or three days, but at the autopsy we found stool in his colon which had been there for five months or more because of the poor motility of the bowel.”