Why do you think Elvis Presley is called the King of Pop music? Let’s face it! He is King for a reason. His songs are not only catchy but also timeless and extremely easy to play. Being the biggest icons in the music industry of the last century, Elvis Presley is often given the nickname of “King of Rock n’ Roll”. He is admired all over the world for his unique voice, captivating charm and exuberant dance skills.

Very few people are acquainted with the star’s guitar playing skills, in spite of the fact that he is one of the biggest and the most skilled vocalists of his time. His aura made guitar-playing look “cool” and he has successfully composed some of the catchiest riffs. Let’s take a quick look at the top 4 Elvis Presley chords that you can try on a guitar.

1. Don’t Be Cruel
Among Elvis Presley’s best-selling singles is “Don’t Be Cruel” and if you are a guitarist waiting to play his songs, this should be the first one to try. Otis Blackwell is the writer of this song and Elvis Presley himself is the composer. “Don’t Be Cruel” marked the beginning of their collaboration and this song happened to be a successful break for Blackwell. Throughout the song, only four chords are used in the conventional blues standard. There are 3 repeated verses and the choruses follow a similar progression. The arrangement is less than 2 minutes long.

2. Can’t Help Falling In Love With You
The acclaimed songwriter George Weiss is the writer of this iconic song “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” and he wrote this song for a role played by the singer in the film Blue Hawaii in 1961. Apart from being one of the best-selling singles composed by Presley till date, this song has also been covered by global musicians uncountable times. For a guitarist, this is probably the simplest song to learn. The rhythm and cadence are supported by a continuous fingerpicking pattern.

3. Trouble
Elvis Presley is not just a gifted vocalist but he was also talented enough to perform singles as a part of his role in movies. “Trouble” was a song that was first featured in Presley’s film King Creole in 1970 but later on the song established itself as a mainstay in most of his live performances. The stanza in “Trouble” utilizes a call-and-response structure where you play guitar chords in between vocal passages. The chord progression stays same throughout the arrangement.

4. Blue Suede Shoes
For every Elvis Presley music repertoire, “Blue Suede Shoes” is a vital must-have. Being the first song on his debut album, it is the tune that first crosses your mind when you hear his name. Nevertheless, this iconic song pays homage to Carl Perkins, Presley’s friend who first recorded it in the year 1955. Though this song is in the key of A and uses just three chords, it employs a blues standard that is particularly similar to “Trouble”.

Elvis Presley will always hold a special place in the hearts of guitarists and rock fans due to his immense contribution to guitar-focused rock music. By learning a few simple Elvis Presley tunes on guitar, you can enhance your skills and gain a better understanding of rock music.