The number one song on the countdown is "Jailhouse Rock" from 1957. Written by Leiber and Stoller for the movie of the same name, it was another one of Elvis' monster 1950s hits, #1 on for 6 weeks on the Billboard Top 100, and also topping their R&B and country charts. Rolling Stone magazine included it at number 67 on its list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and was named one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. In 2004, it finished at number 21 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs survey of top tunes in American cinema. On November 27, 2016 it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
In 2005, the song was re-released in the UK and reached number one for a single week.
Presley's performance of the song in the film, choreographed as a dance routine involving himself and a large group of male prisoners, was featured among other classic MGM musical numbers in the 1994 documentary That's Entertainment! III. The film version differs from the single version of the song, featuring backing instrumentation and vocals not heard on the record.
Some of the characters named in the song are real people. Shifty Henry was a well-known LA musician, not a criminal. The Purple Gang was a real mob. "Sad Sack" was a U.S. Army nickname in World War II for a loser, which also became the name of a popular comic strip and comic book character.
According to Rolling Stone, Leiber and Stoller's "theme song for Presley's third movie was decidedly silly, the kind of tongue-in-cheek goof they had come up with for The Coasters. The King, however, sang it as straight rock & roll, overlooking the jokes in the lyrics (like the suggestion of gay romance when inmate Number 47 tells Number 3, 'You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see') and then introducing Scotty Moore's guitar solo with a cry so intense that the take almost collapses." Gender studies scholars cite the song for "its famous reference to homoerotics behind bars," while music critic Garry Mulholland writes, "'Jailhouse Rock' was always a queer lyric, in both senses." Douglas Brode writes of the filmed production number that it's "amazing that the sequence passed by the censors".
RANK-BALLOTS-POINTS-TITLE-YEAR
001 - 34-2032 - Jailhouse Rock - 1957
002 - 36-1976 - Don't Be Cruel - 1956
003 - 34-1921 - Heartbreak Hotel - 1956
004 - 34-1845 - Suspicious Minds - 1969
005 - 33-1659 - Mystery Train - 1955
006 - 33-1653 - Hound Dog - 1956
007 - 33-1646 - That's All Right - 1954
008 - 34-1617 - All Shook Up - 1957
009 - 30-1493 - Burning Love - 1972
010 - 29-1370 - Can't Help Falling In Love - 1961
011 - 25-1193 - In The Ghetto - 1969
012 - 22-1011 - Are You Lonesome Tonight - 1960
013 - 21-921 - Blue Moon of Kentucky - 1954
014 - 22-893 - Blue Christmas - 1957
015 - 19-892 - Baby Let's Play House - 1955
016 - 19-883 - It's Now Or Never - 1960
017 - 21-879 - One Night - 1958
018 - 22-876 - (Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame - 1961
019 - 20-860 - Blue Moon - 1956
020 - 19-824 - Return To Sender - 1962
021 - 19-822 - Love Me Tender - 1956
022 - 19-821 - Little Sister - 1961
023 - 19-789 - Good Rockin' Tonight - 1954
024 - 20-757 - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You - 1956
025 - 16-718 - My Baby Left Me - 1956
026 - 16-686 - Always On My Mind - 1972
027 - 17-665 - Blue Suede Shoes - 1956
028 - 16-658 - Kentucky Rain - 1970
029 - 13-647 - A Little Less Conversation - 1968
030 - 15-586 - Crying In The Chapel - 1965
031 - 16-579 - Too Much - 1957
032 - 14-564 - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - 1957
033 - 16-558 - (You're The) Devil In Disguise - 1963
034 - 15-553 - Don't - 1957
035 - 15-552 - If I Can Dream - 1968
036 - 15-541 - Treat Me Nice - 1957
037 - 12-535 - I Was The One - 1956
038 - 12-503 - Milkcow Blues Boogie - 1955
039 - 13-497 - Stuck On You - 1960
040 - 16-489 - A Big Hunk O' Love - 1959
041 - 11-470 - Trying To Get To You - 1956
042 - 14-468 - King Creole - 1958
043 - 17-460 - (Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I - 1959
044 - 10-444 - The Wonder Of You - 1970
045 - 09-440 - I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone - 1955
046 - 10-438 - Love Me - 1956
047 - 12-431 - A Mess of Blues - 1960
048 - 11-421 - Surrender - 1961
049 - 08-411 - I Don't Care if The Sun Don't Shine - 1954
050 - 10-407 - So Glad You're Mine - 1956
051 - 10-405 - Just Because - 1956
052 - 09-373 - One Sided Love Affair - 1956
053 - 12-370 - Good Luck Charm - 1962
054 - 10-368 - When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again - 1956
055 - 09-352 - Ain't That Loving You Baby - 1964
056 - 09-346 - Santa Claus is Back in Town - 1957
057 - 11-339 - Hard Headed Woman - 1958
058 - 11-332 - (You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care - 1957
059 - 10-330 - An American Trilogy - 1972
060 - 09-307 - (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) - 1957
061 - 07-286 - Trouble - 1958
062 - 10-280 - I Need Your Love Tonight - 1959
063 - 06-276 - Viva Las Vegas - 1964
064 - 09-268 - Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do - 1957
065 - 09-266 - Paralyzed - 1956
066 - 10-259 - I Feel So Bad - 1961
067 - 06-230 - You're A Heartbreaker - 1955
068 - 06-225 - Way Down - 1977
069 - 06-216 - I Forgot To Remember To Forget - 1955
070 - 06-213 - Money Honey - 1956
071 - 08-210 - I Beg of You - 1957
072 - 05-205 - Lawdy Miss Clawdy - 1956
073 - 05-202 - That's When Your Heartaches Begin - 1957
074 - 04-198 - Anyway You Want Me - 1956
075 - 07-197 - Such A Night - 1960
076 - 07-195 - Reconsider Baby - 1960
077 - 04-183 - Fame And Fortune - 1960
078 - 06-180 - Guitar Man - 1967
079 - 05-178 - Suspicion - 1962
080 - 05-173 - Promised Land - 1974
081 - 05-172 - Mean Woman Blues - 1957
082 - 04-172 - Indescribably Blue - 1967
083 - 05-170 - I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You) - 1956
084 - 03-168 - Harbor Lights - 1954
085 - 05-159 - Playing For Keeps - 1957
086 - 06-158 - I Got A Woman - 1956
087 - 09-156 - Wear My Ring Around Your Neck - 1958
088 - 04-154 - You'll Think of Me - 1969
089 - 08-153 - I Got Stung - 1958
090 - 06-153 - Loving You - 1957
091 - 04-152 - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - 1970
092 - 04-148 - Wooden Heart - 1960
093 - 05-147 - Moody Blue - 1976
094 - 03-135 - Rubberneckin'- 1969
095 - 04-133 - Tomorrow Is A Long Time - 1966
096 - 04-127 - Like A Baby - 1960
097 - 03-124 - I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’) - 1956
098 - 03-123 - I Just Can't Help Believin'- 1970
099 - 03-120 - Long Black Limousine - 1969
100 - 03-119 - Inherit the Wind - 1969
101 - 03-119 - Follow That Dream - 1962
102 - 02-119 - It Hurts Me - 1964
103 - 04-116 - Wearin' That Loved On Look - 1969
104 - 04-115 - She's Not You - 1962
105 - 03-114 - One Night (of Sin) - 1957
106 - 03-106 - Any Day Now - 1969
107 - 03-105 - Big Boss Man - 1967
108 - 03-102 - I'll Be Home For Christmas - 1957
109 - 02-101 - We Can Make the Morning - 1972
====================================================
110 - 02-98 - Anything That's Part of You
111 - 03-97 - Here Comes Santa Claus
112 - 02-95 - Mama Liked the Roses
113 - 02-92 - Fever
114 - 03-91 - I Want To Be Free
115 - 03-89 - It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'
116 - 03-87 - Hurt
117 - 02-87 - Amazing Grace
118 - 02-85 - Bossa Nova Baby
119 - 02-85 - Crawfish
120 - 02-82 - Rock-A-Hula Baby
121 - 02-81 - We're Gonna Move
122 - 02-79 - I Love You Because
122 - 02-79 - The Girl of My Best Friend
124 - 03-78 - Tomorrow Night
125 - 02-78 - Tiger Man (Live)
126 - 02-78 - First In Line
127 - 03-77 - Don't Cry Daddy
128 - 02-76 - Young And Beautiful
129 - 02-76 - I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water
130 - 02-75 - That's Someone You Never Forget
131 - 02-75 - I Will Be Home Again
132 - 02-72 - I'll Hold You in My Heart
133 - 02-71 - Loving Arms
134 - 02-71 - Trying To Get To You (live)
135 - 03-69 - Shake, Rattle And Roll
136 - 02-69 - Shake, Rattle And Roll / Flip, Flop And Fly (Live)
137 - 02-68 - Take My Hand Precious Lord
138 - 02-63 - Memories
139 - 02-59 - Pocketful of Rainbows
140 - 03-58 - Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)
141 - 02-58 - Merry Christmas, Baby
142 - 02-55 - When It Rains It Really Pours
143 - 02-55 - Ready Teddy
144 - 02-52 - I Need You So
145 - 03-50 - It’s Your Baby You Rock It
146 - 02-50 - Girls! Girls! Girls!
147 - 02-49 - U.S. Male
148 - 02-46 - I Gotta Know
149 - 02-45 - Doncha' Think It's Time
150 - 02-41 - The Fool
151 - 02-39 - Only The strong Survive
152 - 02-36 - Power of My Love
153 - 02-35 - I Got a Feelin' in My Body
========================================================================
Here is a breakdown of the songs on the countdown by year.
YEARS
1954
007 - 33-1646 - That's All Right - 1954
013 - 21-921 - Blue Moon of Kentucky - 1954
023 - 19-789 - Good Rockin' Tonight - 1954
049 - 08-411 - I Don't Care if The Sun Don't Shine - 1954
084 - 03-168 - Harbor Lights - 1954
1955
005 - 33-1659 - Mystery Train - 1955
015 - 19-892 - Baby Let's Play House - 1955
038 - 12-503 - Milkcow Blues Boogie - 1955
045 - 09-440 - I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone - 1955
067 - 06-230 - You're A Heartbreaker - 1955
069 - 06-216 - I Forgot To Remember To Forget - 1955
1956
002 - 36-1976 - Don't Be Cruel - 1956
003 - 34-1921 - Heartbreak Hotel - 1956
006 - 33-1653 - Hound Dog - 1956
019 - 20-860 - Blue Moon - 1956
021 - 19-822 - Love Me Tender - 1956
024 - 20-757 - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You - 1956
025 - 16-718 - My Baby Left Me - 1956
027 - 17-665 - Blue Suede Shoes - 1956
037 - 12-535 - I Was The One - 1956
041 - 11-470 - Trying To Get To You - 1956
046 - 10-438 - Love Me - 1956
050 - 10-407 - So Glad You're Mine - 1956
051 - 10-405 - Just Because - 1956
052 - 09-373 - One Sided Love Affair - 1956
054 - 10-368 - When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again - 1956
065 - 09-266 - Paralyzed - 1956
070 - 06-213 - Money Honey - 1956
072 - 05-205 - Lawdy Miss Clawdy - 1956
074 - 04-198 - Anyway You Want Me - 1956
083 - 05-170 - I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You) - 1956
086 - 06-158 - I Got A Woman - 1956
097 - 03-124 - I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’) - 1956
1957
001 - 34-2032 - Jailhouse Rock - 1957
008 - 34-1617 - All Shook Up - 1957
014 - 22-893 - Blue Christmas - 1957
031 - 16-579 - Too Much - 1957
032 - 14-564 - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - 1957
034 - 15-553 - Don't - 1957
036 - 15-541 - Treat Me Nice - 1957
056 - 09-346 - Santa Claus is Back in Town - 1957
058 - 11-332 - (You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care - 1957
060 - 09-307 - (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) - 1957
064 - 09-268 - Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do - 1957
071 - 08-210 - I Beg of You - 1957
073 - 05-202 - That's When Your Heartaches Begin - 1957
081 - 05-172 - Mean Woman Blues - 1957
085 - 05-159 - Playing For Keeps - 1957
090 - 06-153 - Loving You - 1957
105 - 03-114 - One Night (of Sin) - 1957
108 - 03-102 - I'll Be Home For Christmas - 1957
1958
017 - 21-879 - One Night - 1958
042 - 14-468 - King Creole - 1958
057 - 11-339 - Hard Headed Woman - 1958
061 - 07-286 - Trouble - 1958
087 - 09-156 - Wear My Ring Around Your Neck - 1958
089 - 08-153 - I Got Stung - 1958
1959
040 - 16-489 - A Big Hunk O' Love - 1959
043 - 17-460 - (Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I - 1959
062 - 10-280 - I Need Your Love Tonight - 1959
1960
012 - 22-1011 - Are You Lonesome Tonight - 1960
016 - 19-883 - It's Now Or Never - 1960
039 - 13-497 - Stuck On You - 1960
047 - 12-431 - A Mess of Blues - 1960
075 - 07-197 - Such A Night - 1960
076 - 07-195 - Reconsider Baby - 1960
077 - 04-183 - Fame And Fortune - 1960
092 - 04-148 - Wooden Heart - 1960
096 - 04-127 - Like A Baby - 1960
1961
010 - 29-1370 - Can't Help Falling In Love - 1961
018 - 22-876 - (Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame - 1961
022 - 19-821 - Little Sister - 1961
048 - 11-421 - Surrender - 1961
066 - 10-259 - I Feel So Bad - 1961
1962
020 - 19-824 - Return To Sender - 1962
053 - 12-370 - Good Luck Charm - 1962
079 - 05-178 - Suspicion - 1962
101 - 03-119 - Follow That Dream - 1962
104 - 04-115 - She's Not You - 1962
1963
033 - 16-558 - (You're The) Devil In Disguise - 1963
1964
055 - 09-352 - Ain't That Loving You Baby - 1964
063 - 06-276 - Viva Las Vegas - 1964
102 - 02-119 - It Hurts Me - 1964
1965
030 - 15-586 - Crying In The Chapel - 1965
1966
095 - 04-133 - Tomorrow Is A Long Time - 1966
1967
078 - 06-180 - Guitar Man - 1967
082 - 04-172 - Indescribably Blue - 1967
107 - 03-105 - Big Boss Man - 1967
1968
029 - 13-647 - A Little Less Conversation - 1968
035 - 15-552 - If I Can Dream - 1968
1969
004 - 34-1845 - Suspicious Minds - 1969
011 - 25-1193 - In The Ghetto - 1969
088 - 04-154 - You'll Think of Me - 1969
094 - 03-135 - Rubberneckin'- 1969
099 - 03-120 - Long Black Limousine - 1969
100 - 03-119 - Inherit the Wind - 1969
103 - 04-116 - Wearin' That Loved On Look - 1969
106 - 03-106 - Any Day Now - 1969
1970
028 - 16-658 - Kentucky Rain - 1970
044 - 10-444 - The Wonder Of You - 1970
091 - 04-152 - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - 1970
098 - 03-123 - I Just Can't Help Believin'- 1970
1972
009 - 30-1493 - Burning Love - 1972
026 - 16-686 - Always On My Mind - 1972
059 - 10-330 - An American Trilogy - 1972
109 - 02-101 - We Can Make the Morning - 1972
1974
080 - 05-173 - Promised Land - 1974
1976
093 - 05-147 - Moody Blue - 1976
1977
068 - 06-225 - Way Down - 1977
======================================================================================
And finally, the songs that were only named on one ballot, along with their point total.
A Crazy Little Thing Called Love -46
A Little Bit Of Green -56
And I Love You So -47
And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind -68
As Long As I Have You -75
Black Star -11
Bridge Over Troubled Water -33
Charro -21
Clean Up Your Own Backyard -12
Danny Boy -62
Dirty, Dirty Feeling -16
Dixieland Rock -21
Do The Clam -46
Do You Know who I Am? -18
Drums Of The Islands -75
Edge of Reality -31
Flaming Star -18
For The Heart -16
Frankie And Johnny -34
From A Jack To A King -19
G.I. Blues -19
Hard Knocks -19
His Hand In Mine -13
How Do You Think I Feel -49
How Great Thou Art -20
How's The World Treating You -38
I Can't Stop Loving You (Live) -14
If Every Day Was Like Christmas -48
I'll Remember You -41
I'm A Roustabout -48
I'm Counting On You -37
I Met Her Today -54
I'm Movin' On -32
I Need Somebody To Lean On -12
In My Own Way -50
It Feels So Right -12
It's A Sin -52
I've Got A Thing About you Baby -52
I Want You With Me -45
I Was Born About 10,000 Years Ago -18
Judy -50
Just Pretend -17
King of The Whole Wide World -17
Kissin' Cousins -25
Let Me -28
Lonely Man -46
Love Letters -26
Make Me Know It -36
Make the World Go Away -25
Mary in the Morning -15
Memphis Tennessee -13
Money Honey (Live) -49
My Way -25
Night Rider -18
Old Shep -24
O Little Town of Bethlehem -23
On A Snowy Christmas Night -46
One Broken Heart for Sale -50
One Night (Live) -27
Party -18
Patch It Up -42
Pieces of My Life -30
Reconsider Baby (Live) -34
Rip It Up -19
Saved -56
Separate Ways -11
Silent Night -21
Soldier Boy -13
Something Blue -49
Song of the Shrimp -17
Stand By Me -68
Starting Today -58
Stay Away -49
Stranger In My Own Home Town -26
Summer Kisses, Winter Tears -38
There Goes My Everything -43
There's Always Me -60
The Sound of Your Cry -29
This Is The Story -20
Tomorrow Never Comes -34
Tonight Is So Right for Love -35
T-R-O-U-B-L-E -40
True Love Travels on a Gravel Road -29
TV Special Medley -41
Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On -16
Without Love -58
You'll Be Gone -41
You'll Never Walk Alone -71
Your Cheatin' Heart -54