Crying In the Chapel

When this inspirational song hit the #1 spot in the UK, Elvis became the first act to have 15 #1s.

This was written by Artie Glenn. The song was first recorded in 1953 by Darrell Glenn, reaching the Top 10 of the charts. Its success resulted in several covers, including June Valli's and Rex Allen's, which also hit the pop Top 10. The Orioles and Ella Fitzgerald also recorded cover versions. It became a much performed song especially among gospel groups, and in 1960 Presley recorded a version at his 1960 gospel album Your Hand In Mine sessions with his vocal backup group The Jordanaires and Floyd Cramer on piano. However its release was withheld because Colonel Parker wanted the publishing rights. In 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh, Neal Matthews of The Jordanaires recalled, "Elvis was feeling really good that day. He fooled around with it and then he cut it in five minutes." In 1965 RCA released it as an Easter single and to their surprise it became Elvis' biggest single for over two years, giving his career a much needed shot in the arm.

In the US, Presley had gone more than two years without a Top 10 hit before charting with this song. He would go another four years before he had another with "In The Ghetto."