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Elvis SongPedia: Rags To Riches

Rags To Riches


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Basic Stats

(Just the facts, ma'am!)

Written by: Richard Adler, Jerry Ross

Recorded: September 22, 1970, RCA Studio B, Nashville
Released master is spliced from take 4 and one line of take 3.

Single:w/ "Where Did They Go, Lord", 47-9980, February 23, 1971
Also re-released as Gold Standard Series, 447-0680, October 25, 1971

Highest U.S. Charts Positions:
#45 on Billboard's Hot 100
#45 on Cash Box's Top 100

1st LP release: Elvis Aron Presley - August 1980
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"Rags to Riches"
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For other versions, see
Lyrics and Downloads section below.


My Spin

(Just my opinion. Give us yours!)

Elvis tackles the 1953 Tony Bennett hit, "Rags To Riches", giving his vocal chops a nice workout, especially in that opening line! There's some noticeable distortion on the recording of his vocals in a couple of places, though, which is something you wouldn't expect from a major artist in a 1970 recording studio! In any case, it's a powerful performance, and I believe Elvis does Tony proud.

More to come later, meanwhile, check out the music and links!

Other Spins

(What did the critics and fans say?)



"Rags to Riches"...was a hit for Presley in 1971, but lacks a definite Presley image. It is a slow ballad, suitably beefy, but not one of Presley's best.

Robert Matthew-Walker, Elvis Presley: A Study in Music, 1979



Elvis erupting at full power after the opening rumble of drums - a stark ballad, uncluttered.

The Complete Elvis, edited by Martin Torgoff, 1982




Check out other Elvis fans' opinions on the Elvis News page for Rags To Riches



Check out other opinions at Rate Your Music



"Rags To Riches" Links

"Rags To Riches" Lyrics and Downloads

I know I'd go from rags to riches
If you would only say you cared
And though my pockets may be empty
I'd be a millionaire

My clothes may still be torn and tattered
But in my heart I'd be a king
Your love is all that ever mattered
It's everything

So open your arms and you'll open the door
To all the treasure that I'm living for
Hold me and kiss me and tell me you're mine evermore

Must I forever stay a beggar
Whose golden dreams will not come true
Or will I go from rags to riches
My fate is up to you
Download the Karaoke Version!

Rags To Riches karaoke - Elvis PresleyRags To Riches
Elvis Presley


Download or just listen to different versions by Elvis from Amazon!

... or different versions by other artists!



What's YOUR Spin on "Rags To Riches"?
Yea or Nay?

Yea! Powerful Ballad!

Nay! Torn And Tattered!


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Study Up Some More!

Elvis song reference books on Amazon!

Ernst Jorgensen's complete chronicle of Elvis' recording sessions, with loads of detailed information about each session and each song.
This is the definitive encyclopedia on Elvis' life details, as well as all the background and trivia you need for all the songs, movies, and TV appearances. Authors are Fred L. Worth and Steve D. Tamerius.
The subtitle of Ace Collins' book says it all: "The stories behind Elvis' #1 hits"!
"Elvis The #1 Hits: The Secret History of the Classics". Another self-explanatory book title. :)