Elvis' Gold Records – Volume 4 cover

Elvis' Gold Records – Volume 4

Elvis Presley · 1968

43 min · 18 tracks · blues

A vibrant mix of rock, pop, and rhythm and blues showcasing Elvis' dynamic vocal charm and playful energy.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Return to Sender Start here — As one of Presley's most recognizable songs, it captures the playful yet poignant storytelling style that defined much of his early work.
  • →
    Viva Las Vegas — This track became an anthem for the iconic city, showcasing both Elvis's charisma and the vibrant energy of the Las Vegas entertainment scene.
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    (You're the) Devil in Disguise — With its catchy melody and clever lyrics, this song exemplifies Elvis's ability to blend rock with pop elements, appealing to a wide audience.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

48 /100
Foothills
Higher than 19% of albums we've rated

The album showcases a variety of Elvis's hits but lacks a strong narrative or thematic cohesion.

What we noticed

  • Several tracks incorporate orchestral arrangements, enhancing the emotional weight of the ballads while maintaining a lively feel in the rock and pop numbers.
  • The sequencing includes notable singles that were popular during the 1960s, contributing to a cohesive representation of Elvis's sound during this period.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • playful sing-alongs with friends
  • steady melodic flow throughout
  • short bursts of catchy fun
  • romantic vibes for date nights
  • nostalgic energy for gatherings

Maybe skip if you

  • seekers of deep introspection
  • prefer lengthy immersive tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — This album solidified Elvis' status as a top recording artist during a transitional phase.
Themes
Las Vegas nightlife· cinematic romance· gospel-infused pop
Career context
By the time 'Elvis' Gold Records – Volume 4' was released in January 1968, Elvis Presley was navigating a transitional phase in his career. Following the success of his film and soundtrack work in the early 1960s, this compilation served as a retrospective of his hits from that period while also reflecting the changing musical landscape. The album came out just before his return to live performances later that year.
Stylistic neighbors
Chuck Berry· Little Richard· Buddy Holly

Tracklist

  • 1 Return to Sender Start here 2:09
  • 2 Rock-A-Hula Baby 1:59
  • 3 Love Letters 2:52
  • 4 Bossa Nova Baby 2:03
  • 5 Witchcraft 2:20
  • 6 Kissin' Cousins 2:13
  • 7 It Hurts Me 2:29
  • 8 Viva Las Vegas 2:22
  • 9 What'd I Say 3:04
  • 10 Please Don't Drag That String Around 1:55
  • 11 Indescribably Blue 2:49
  • 12 (You're the) Devil in Disguise 2:22
  • 13 Lonely Man 2:45
  • 14 A Mess of Blues 2:41
  • 15 Ask Me 2:08
  • 16 Ain't That Loving You Baby 2:24
  • 17 Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello 1:54
  • 18 Crying in the Chapel 2:24

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata