Released 60 years ago
How Great Thou Art
Elvis Presley · 1966
37 min · 14 tracks · blues
A heartfelt collection of gospel classics, showcasing Elvis's powerful voice amid lush arrangements and deep spiritual themes.
Top tracks — play these first
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How Great Thou Art Start here — This title track highlights Elvis's vocal prowess and emotional depth, capturing the essence of the album's spiritual message with its soaring melody.
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Stand by Me — Elvis delivers a moving interpretation of this classic hymn, infusing it with soulful conviction that resonates profoundly within the context of faith and reliance on divine support.
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Crying in the Chapel — This track stands out for its poignant exploration of vulnerability and hope, showcasing how gospel music can address personal longing while retaining a message of faith.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Elvis's powerful vocals and rich arrangements create a heartfelt gospel experience, though it follows familiar structures.
What we noticed
- The album features lush orchestral arrangements that complement Elvis's vocal delivery, particularly on tracks like 'How Great Thou Art' and 'Stand by Me'.
- Each song typically follows a traditional verse-chorus structure, with Elvis's voice soaring in the choruses, emphasizing the spiritual themes.
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a reflective mood that contrasts with the more upbeat earlier songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- steady reflective spiritual journey
- soulful harmonies for introspection
- uplifting moments of solace
- communal sing-along potential
- quiet contemplation in solitude
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced music
- seek standalone energetic tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Established Elvis's reputation in gospel, winning a Grammy and gaining critical acclaim.
- Themes
- spiritual longing· Southern gospel tradition· faith and redemption
- Career context
- How Great Thou Art was released in 1966, during a period when Elvis was transitioning into more serious musical territory, following his acclaimed soundtrack work in the early '60s. This album marked his first full-length gospel project since 1960 and demonstrated his commitment to faith-based music amidst a rapidly changing pop landscape.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chuck Berry· Little Richard· Buddy Holly
Tracklist
- 1 How Great Thou Art Start here 3:03
- 2 In the Garden 3:11
- 3 Somebody Bigger Than You and I 2:27
- 4 Farther Along 4:06
- 5 Stand by Me 2:29
- 6 Without Him 2:29
- 7 So High 1:57
- 8 Where Could I Go but to the Lord 3:37
- 9 By and By 1:51
- 10 If the Lord Wasn't Walking by My Side 1:37
- 11 Run On 2:23
- 12 Where No One Stands Alone 2:44
- 13 Crying in the Chapel 2:26
- 14 Peace in the Valley 3:21
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The World's Greatest Gospel Singer
Mahalia Jackson
Shares deep spiritual themes and powerful vocal delivery rooted in gospel traditions.
American IV: The Man Comes Around
Johnny Cash
Explores themes of faith and redemption with a soulful, Americana sound.
Amazing Grace
Aretha Franklin
Combines gospel roots with emotive vocals, celebrating spirituality and communal worship.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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