Promised Land (Elvis Presley album)

1975 studio album by Elvis Presley

Promised Land

Studio album by

Elvis Presley

Released| January 8, 1975 (1975-01-08)
Recorded| December 10–15, 1973
Studio| Stax (Memphis)
Genre| Country
Length| 28:17
Label| RCA Victor
Producer| Felton Jarvis
Elvis Presley chronology
| Having Fun with Elvis on Stage
(1974)  | Promised Land
(1975)  | Today
(1975)

|
|

Singles from  Promised Land

1. "If You Talk in Your Sleep"
Released: May 10, 1974
2. "Promised Land"
Released: September 27, 1974

Professional ratingsReview scores

Source| Rating
AllMusic| [1]
Christgau's Record Guide| B[2]
MusicHound| [3]
Rough Guides| [4]

Promised Land is the twenty-first studio album by American singer and musician Elvis Presley, released by RCA Records on January 8, 1975. It was recorded in December 1973 at Stax Records studios in Memphis and released on Presley's 40th birthday in January, 1975. In the US the album reached number 47 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and number 1 in Billboard's Top Country LPs chart, as well as the Cashbox Country albums chart. In the UK the album reached #21.

## Content

[edit]

The material was the second pick from the December 1973 session, as the songs considered strongest had been issued on Good Times. The title track, a cover of the 1965 hit by Chuck Berry, was issued earlier as a single on September 27, 1974, and hit number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK top ten. Its flip side, "It's Midnight", reached 9 on the Country Charts. Another hit single from the album was "If You Talk in Your Sleep" reaching 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Promised Land" was used for the 1997 film Men in Black.

## Reissues

[edit]

RCA reissued the album on CD in 2000, and it added all the tracks of the album Good Times as tracks 11–18 (except "Taking Care of Her" and "I've Got A Thing About You, Baby", which are from the July 1973 sessions) – in effect compiling the Stax sessions of December 1973. In 2011, the FTD (Follow That Dream) collectors label released an expanded, 48-track version of the album including outtakes.

## Track listing

[edit]

### Original release

[edit]

Side ANo.| Title| Writer(s)| Recording date| Length

|
|
|
|

1.| "Promised Land"| Chuck Berry| December 15, 1973| 2:57
2.| "There's a Honky Tonk Angel (Who'll Take Me Back In)"| Troy Seals, Denny Rice| December 15, 1973| 3:01
3.| "Help Me"| Larry Gatlin| December 12, 1973| 2:27
4.| "Mr. Songman"| Donnie Sumner| December 12, 1973| 2:08
5.| "Love Song of the Year"| Chris Christian| December 12, 1973| 3:33

Side BNo.| Title| Writer(s)| Recording date| Length

|
|
|
|

1.| "It's Midnight"| Billy Edd Wheeler and Jerry Chesnut| December 10, 1973| 3:21
2.| "Your Love's Been a Long Time Coming"| Rory Bourke| December 15, 1973| 3:47
3.| "If You Talk in Your Sleep"| Red West, Johnny Christopher| December 11, 1973| 2:35
4.| "Thinking About You"| Tim Baty| December 12, 1973| 3:00
5.| "You Asked Me To"| Waylon Jennings, Billy Joe Shaver| December 11, 1973| 2:52

### 2000 CD reissue bonus tracks

[edit]

Tracks 1-10 are from the original releaseNo.| Title| Writer(s)| Recording date| Length

|
|
|
|

11.| "Loving Arms"| Tom Jans| December 13, 1973| 2:49
12.| "I Got a Feelin' in My Body"| Dennis Linde| December 10, 1973| 3:37
13.| "If That Isn't Love"| Dottie Rambo| December 16, 1973| 3:31
14.| "She Wears My Ring"| Felice Bryant and Boudleaux Bryant| December 16, 1973| 3:10
15.| "My Boy"| Bill Martin, Phil Coulter, Jean-Pierre Bourtayre, Claude François| December 13, 1973| 3:21
16.| "Spanish Eyes"| Bert Kaempfert, Eddie Snyder, Charles Singleton| December 16, 1973| 2:22
17.| "Talk About the Good Times"| Jerry Reed| December 14, 1973| 2:22
18.| "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues"| Danny O'Keefe| December 13, 1973| 3:09

### Follow That Dream CD reissue

[edit]

Disc oneNo.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "Promised Land"|
2.| "There's A Honky Tonk Angel"|
3.| "Help Me"|
4.| "Mr. Songman"|
5.| "Love Song Of The Year"|
6.| "It's Midnight"|
7.| "Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming"|
8.| "If You Talk In Your Sleep"|
9.| "Thinking About You"|
10.| "You Asked Me To"|
11.| "Promised Land" (takes 3, 4)|
12.| "There's A Honky Tonk Angel" (take 4/composite 5, 3, 8)|
13.| "Help Me" (take 1 remixed)|
14.| "Mr. Songman" (take 2)|
15.| "Love Song Of The Year" (take 1)|
16.| "It's Midnight" (take 7)|
17.| "Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming" (take 10)|
18.| "If You Talk In Your Sleep" (take 5)|
19.| "Thinking About You" (take 4)|
20.| "You Asked Me To" (take 3A)|
21.| "Promised Land" (take 5)|
22.| "Love Song Of The Year" (takes 3, 4, 6, 7)|
23.| "It's Midnight" (take 11)|
24.| "You Asked Me To" (take 2B)|

Disc twoNo.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "It's Midnight" (takes 1-4, 8, 9)|
2.| "Love Song Of The Year"|
3.| "Thinking About You" (takes 2, 3)|
4.| "You Asked Me To" (take 1)|
5.| "Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming" (takes 2, 3, 4)|
6.| "Promised Land" (take 2)|
7.| "Mr. Songman" (take 1)|
8.| "There's A Honky Tonk Angel" (take 1)|
9.| "If You Talk In Your Sleep" (takes 6, 9 undubbed)|
10.| "It's Midnight" (take 10)|
11.| "Thinking About You" (takes 5, 6)|
12.| "Love Song Of The Year" (take 2)|
13.| "You Asked Me To" (take 3B)|
14.| "There's A Honky Tonk Angel" (takes 6, 7, 8 rough mix)|
15.| "Mr. Songman" (takes 3, 5)|
16.| "Promised Land" (take 6 undubbed)|
17.| "Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming" (takes 8, 9 unedited undubbed)|

## Personnel

[edit]

* Elvis Presley – lead vocals; harmony vocals on "Promised Land"
* James Burton – lead guitar
* Johnny Christopher – rhythm guitar
* Charlie Hodge – acoustic rhythm guitar
* Norbert Putnam – bass guitar
* David Briggs – piano, Hammond organ, overdubbed tambourine on "Promised Land"
* Per Erik "Pete" Hallin – clavinet on "Promised Land", piano on "Help Me" and "Love Song of the Year"
* Ronnie Tutt – drums
* JD Sumner & The Stamps (Bill Baize, Ed Enoch, David Rowland) – backing vocals
* Jeannie Greene – backing vocals
* Mary and Ginger Holladay – backing vocals
* Susan Pilkington – backing vocals
* Voice (Donnie Sumner, Sherrill Nielsen, Tim Baty, Per Eric "Pete" Hallin) – backing vocals
* Kathy Westmoreland – backing vocals

Overdubbed

* Dennis Linde, Alan Rush – guitar on "Promised Land"
* Bobby Ogdin – piano on "Promised Land"
* Randy Cullers – cowbell on "Promised Land"
* Mike Leech – string and brass arrangements
* Bobby Taylor - oboe

Technical

* Felton Jarvis – producer
* Mike Moran, Dick Baxter, Al Pachucki, Mickey Crofford – engineers

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (1975)  | Peak
position

|

US Billboard 200[5] | 47
US Top Country Albums (Billboard)[6] | 1

### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (1975)  | Position

|

US Top Country Albums (Billboard)[7] | 31

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Allmusic review
2. ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: P". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 10, 2019 - via robertchristgau.com.
3. ^ Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel, eds. (1999). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink Press. pp. 892. ISBN 1-57859-061-2.
4. ^ Simpson, Paul (2004). The Rough Guide to Elvis. London: Rough Guides. p. 150\. ISBN 1-84353-417-7.
5. ^ "Elvis Presley Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
6. ^ "Elvis Presley Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
7. ^ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 1975". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* Promised Land at Discogs (list of releases)

* v
* t
* e

Elvis Presley

* Awards
* Albums
* Singles
* Songs
* Films and television
* Personal relationships
* Cultural depictions
* Cultural impact

Studio albums|

* Elvis Presley
* Elvis (1956 album)
* Elvis' Christmas Album
* Elvis Is Back!
* His Hand in Mine
* Something for Everybody
* Pot Luck
* How Great Thou Art
* From Elvis in Memphis
* From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis
* That's the Way It Is
* Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old)
* Love Letters from Elvis
* Elvis Sings The Wonderful World of Christmas
* Elvis Now
* He Touched Me
* Elvis (1973 album)
* Raised on Rock / For Ol' Times Sake
* Good Times
* Promised Land
* Today
* From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee
* Moody Blue

Soundtrack albums|

* Loving You
* King Creole
* G.I. Blues
* Blue Hawaii
* Girls! Girls! Girls!
* It Happened at the World's Fair
* Fun in Acapulco
* Kissin' Cousins
* Roustabout
* Girl Happy
* Harum Scarum
* Frankie and Johnny
* Paradise Hawaiian Style
* Spinout
* Double Trouble
* Clambake
* Speedway
* Viva Elvis
* Elvis Presley: The Searcher

EPs|

* Love Me Tender
* Peace in the Valley
* Jailhouse Rock
* Flaming Star
* Follow That Dream
* Kid Galahad
* Viva Las Vegas
* Tickle Me
* Easy Come, Easy Go

Live albums|

* Elvis (1968 album)
* From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis
* On Stage
* As Recorded at Madison Square Garden
* Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite
* Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis
* Having Fun with Elvis on Stage
* Elvis in Concert
* An Afternoon in the Garden

Budget albums|

* Elvis Sings Flaming Star
* Let's Be Friends
* Almost in Love
* C'mon Everybody
* I Got Lucky
* Elvis' 40 Greatest
* Pure Gold

Compilation albums|

* Elvis' Golden Records
* For LP Fans Only
* A Date with Elvis
* 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong
* Elvis' Golden Records Volume 3
* Elvis for Everyone!
* Elvis' Gold Records Volume 4
* Elvis: A Legendary Performer Volume 1
* Elvis: A Legendary Performer Volume 2
* The Sun Sessions
* Welcome to My World
* He Walks Beside Me
* Mahalo from Elvis
* Elvis: A Legendary Performer Volume 3
* Greatest Hits Volume 1
* Elvis' Gold Records Volume 5
* Amazing Grace: His Greatest Sacred Performances
* Command Performances: The Essential 60s Masters II
* Elvis 56
* Tiger Man
* Memories: The '68 Comeback Special
* Sunrise
* Suspicious Minds: The Memphis 1969 Anthology
* The 50 Greatest Hits
* ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits
* 2nd to None
* Elvis at Sun
* Hitstory
* Elvis Inspirational
* Elvis Rock
* Elvis Christmas
* The Essential Elvis Presley
* Christmas Duets
* If I Can Dream
* Way Down in the Jungle Room
* The Wonder of You
* Where No One Stands Alone

Box sets|

* Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits Vol. 1
* The King of Rock 'n' Roll: The Complete 50's Masters
* From Nashville to Memphis: The Essential '60s Masters
* Walk a Mile in My Shoes: The Essential '70s Masters
* Peace in the Valley: The Complete Gospel Recordings
* Live in Las Vegas
* Today, Tomorrow, and Forever
* Elvis the King
* The Complete '68 Comeback Special
* The Complete Elvis Presley Masters

Biographical media|

* Elvis (1979 film)
* Elvis and Me (miniseries)
* Elvis (1990 series)
* Elvis Meets Nixon
* Elvis (2005 miniseries)
* Elvis & Nixon
* Elvis (2022 film)
* Agent Elvis (2023 series)
* Priscilla

Documentaries|

* The Pied Piper of Cleveland
* Elvis: That's the Way It Is
* Elvis on Tour
* This Is Elvis
* The New Gladiators
* Elvis Presley: The Searcher

TV specials|

* The Frank Sinatra Timex Show: Welcome Home Elvis
* Elvis ('68 Comeback Special)
* Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite
* Elvis in Concert

Stage shows|

* Cooking with Elvis
* All Shook Up
* Elvis. The Musical
* Elvis: The Concert
* Viva Elvis
* The Elvis Dead

Related people|

* Lisa Marie Presley (daughter)
* Riley Keough (granddaughter)
* Priscilla Presley (ex-wife)
* Brandon Presley (second cousin)
* Sam Phillips
* The Blue Moon Boys
* The Jordanaires
* The Imperials
* The Sweet Inspirations
* TCB Band
* J. D. Sumner
* Stephen H. Sholes
* June Juanico
* Memphis Mafia
* Colonel Tom Parker
* George C. Nichopoulos
* Judy Spreckels
* Linda Thompson
* Ginger Alden
* Larry Geller

Related articles|

* Graceland
* Audubon Street House
* Impersonators
* Elvis and Gladys
* Elvis and Me
* Elvis: What Happened?
* Elvis-A-Rama Museum
* Sun recordings
* Million Dollar Quartet
* Cultural depictions of Elvis Presley
* Songs about Elvis
* Elvis Presley Enterprises
* Elvis Presley Lake
* "Elvis has left the building"
* Elvis Radio
* FBI files on Elvis Presley
* Military service
* Eight Elvises
* Triple Elvis
* Elvis Presley's Pink Cadillac
* Elvis Presley's guitars
* Elvis Presley single
* Elvis Presley Forever stamp
* Elvis sightings
* Elvis sandwich
* Fool's Gold Loaf
* Elvis' Greatest Shit
* List of memorials

* Category

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

This 1970s rock album–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

|

* v
* t
* e

*[No.]: Number
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template