With the "Pure Gold" series RCA exploited the catalogues of artists like Glenn Miller, Harry Belafonte and Perry Como. In March 1975 Elvis Presley was added to the list. At first the album didn't make an impression, but on September 10, 1977 "Pure Gold" started a run of 23 weeks on Billboard's "Hot Country LPs Chart" and peaked at number 5. Already in the month of the first listing on the hitparade the RIAA honored the domestic sales with a Gold Award, later the status was updated to Platinum (1988) and Double Platinum (1992). Worldwide "Pure Gold" sold four million copies, which equals 600 million paid streams of the complete album or 6 billion paid streams of individual tracks. Because RCA used only recordings made prior to 1973, the label didn't have to pay any royalties to Elvis. Nevertheless the king earned some money due to the publishing, because he had a 25% share in Gladys Music Inc. and Elvis Presley Music Inc.

For the sleeve RCA used a photo from the famous "Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite" show. The backside advertised other editions of the "Pure Gold" series.

Because all the tracks on this compilation can be found on the regular Presley albums, Sony Music Entertainment doesn't offer "Pure Gold" for streaming.

The song was written by Eddy Rabbit, who waited until 1977 before he released his own version. Elvis recorded "Kentucky Rain" on February 19, 1969 at the American Sound Studio in Memphis/Tennessee. The 10th take became the groundwork of the master, further enhancements were made on March 18th (strings and horns) and March 25th (harmony vocals). The first of these post-production sessions was held at American, the second one at RCA Studio A in Nashville/Tennessee. In early 1970 the track was the a-side of a single, that sold 1.7 million units. Later "Kentucky Rain" was also released on the boxed set "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits - Volume 1" (1970).  The song is about a man, who tries to find his girlfriend, who left him at night for unknown reasons. Elvis performs it very well.

This one was also written by Otis Blackwell. Because he was tied to another publisher, he used the alias "John Davenport". Eddie Cooley was credited, because the basic concept of "Fever" was his. The song was first recorded by Little Willie John, who scored a number one with it on Billboard's "R&B Best Seller Chart" in 1956. Two years later Peggy Lee released a differently arranged version, the song was also covered by Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Madonna and Beyonce' Knowles. Elvis taped "Fever" on April 3, 1960 within four takes. He basically copied the version of Peggy Lee, but he performs the song so sexy and cool, that his recording is the definite one. The track was released on the album "Elvis Is Back!" (1960), a live version can be found on the double album "Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite" (1973).

In early 1972 Elvis and RCA Records planned a live album in the style of "On Stage - February 1970". One of the new songs was "It's Impossible" which the king had performed on a regular basis during the "Elvis Summer Festival 1971". After the project was canceled the master (recorded on February 16, 1972 at the Las Vegas Hilton) went into the faults until it was used for this album. To me "It's Impossible" is a real highlight, because Elvis performed this gentle ballad with a huge orchestra and even used a harp. The original version is from Belgium and is called "J'ai Le Mal de Toi". In the 1960's Kathy Kriby sang an English version named "The Way Of Love", but it was Perry Como who had a hit with it. He recorded the song in 1971, now under the name "It's Impossible". The king's performance originally was used on the album "Elvis" in 1973.

The legendary rock'n'roll song was taped on April 30, 1957 at Radio Recorders in Hollywood/California. Elvis recorded eight takes, of which only the numbers 4 and 5 are complete performances. Afterwards two pick up-takes were recorded, which started in the middle of the song. The final version was a splice of take 6 (a long false start) and pick up-take 2. When the song was released in September 1957, it reached the number one of the "Top 100", the "Country Best Seller Chart" and the "R&B Best Seller Chart". RCA also released it on the album "A Legendary Performer - Volume 2" as well as on the boxed set "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits - Volume 1" (1970). Live versions can be found on the albums "Elvis" (1968) and "Elvis In Concert" (1977). "Jailhouse Rock" is also featured in the "Rock'n'Roll Medley". For me "Jailhouse Rock" is a masterpiece. A great melody, a driving rhythm and subversive lyrics (it's actually about a party of homosexuals, which was considered to be abnormal in the 50s of the last century). Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller had surpassed themselves with this song. Elvis' performance is unbeatable. Nobody ever came even close to his original recording, including Mr. Presley himself.

On July 2, 1956 Elvis recorded "Don't Be Cruel" at RCA Studio 1 in New York City/New York. He worked hard on the track and needed 28 takes before he reached a satisfactory result. The song was written by Otis Blackwell, but Colonel Parker was able to deal out a 50% share of the royalties for his client. Therefore Elvis was also listed as composer. Mr. Blackwell obviously wanted to write a hit and so he took many bits and pieces of other popular songs. But regardless the authenticity "Don't Be Cruel" is one of the best recordings of the "early" Elvis and a highlight of his catalogue. RCA Victor also released the track on the extended player "The Real Elvis" (1956), the album "A Legendary Performer" (1974) as well as on the boxed set "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits - Volume 1" (1970). Live performances can be found on "Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden" (1972) and "Elvis In Concert" (1977). Originally the studio version had been released on the single "Don't Be Cruel" / "Hound Dog", which became the best selling 45 of the decade.

In early 1955 Ray Charles had stormed the R&B-Charts with a song called "I've Got A Woman" and a very young Elvis had included it in his live show almost immediately. The song was based on the gospel "It Must Be Jesus" and was written by Renald Richard and Ray Charles. The Hillbilly Cat recorded it on January 10, 1956 at the RCA Studio in Nashville/Tennessee and needed eight takes to do so. RCA Victor also releaded "I Got A Woman" on the extended player "Elvis Presley" (1956), the double-ep "Elvis Presley" (1956) and on a single with "I'm Counting On You" (1956). Elvis himself obviously loved the song because he kept it in his live show until the very end. It's also featured on "Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis" (1974) and "Elvis In Concert" (1977).

The single "All Shook Up" / "That's When Your Heartaches Begin" was released in in early 1957 and sold over 7 million units. Some fans might have known the a-side as "I'm All Shook Up", released by David Hill (a pseudonym of the actor David Hess). He had taped the song in November 1956 while Elvis recorded his version on January 12, 1957 at Radio Recorders in Hollywood/California within ten takes. The second voice belongs to Hoyt Hawkins, a member of The Jordanaires. When the rock'n'roll king released his version, not only the name had changed, but also the writing credits. Suddenly the tune was not just originated by Otis Blackwell, but also by Elvis Presley. The reason was simple: If Mr. Blackwell hadn't credited Presley and therefore given him half of the writer's royalties, he wouldn't have recorded the song. And at the time Elvis' sales were so high, that it was better to get 50% of a Presley release than 100% of a release by anyone else. I fell in love with "All Shook Up" when I was eight years old. Now four decades have passed and the song still is one of my favorites. It's just a piano, a rhythm tapped on the back of a guitar and two voices. Very simple, but the essence of a popsong! RCA Victor re-released the track on the extended player "A Touch Of Gold - Volume 3" (1960) and the boxed set "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits - Volume 1" (1970). Live recordings can be found on "From Memphis To Vegas / From Vegas To Memphis" (1969) and "Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden" (1972). "All Shook Up" is also part of a medley released on "Elvis" (1968).

In June of 1957 the title song of Elvis' second movie had been released on the b-side of "Teddy Bear". It became a number one hit and sold six million copies, of which RCA simply allocated a million to "Loving You". The track had also been released on the extended player "Loving You - Volume 1" as well as the longplayer "Loving You". In 1970 it would be re-issued on the boxed set "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits - Volume 1". Elvis recorded the song on January 17, 1957 within three takes. Even though the last one was selected for release, the king re-recorded the ballad on February 24th and ordered RCA to release the 4th attempt. "Loving You" was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Elvis had previously recorded Leiber/Stoller songs, but this was the first one, the duo wrote exclusively for him.

Mac Davis describes the short life of a man in a city slum, that ends violently in consequence of a robbery. Because a baby is born at the same time and its fate will be similar, the song originally was sub-titled "The Vicious Circle". On January 20, 1969 Elvis recorded 22 takes of the ballad, but finally the track with his voice was silenced and just the music was used. Two days after the initial recording the king produced a new vocal track, on January 24th Chips Moman and Felton Jarvis added harmony voices. The production was finalized on March 18th with the overdub of horns and strings. The skilled arrangement and Elvis' emotional and believable performance turn this ordinary and simple consternation-tune into something very special. Just a few months after the release of "From Elvis In Memphis" RCA Victor issued a live recording of "In The Ghetto" on the double album "From Memphis To Vegas / From Vegas To Memphis". The studio version was re-released on the boxed set "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits - Volume 1" (1970).

The title song of the king's first movie was released on a single in late 1956, became a number one hit and sold 4.5 million copies. RCA Victor re-released the track on the soundtrack ep "Love Me Tender" (1956), the album "A Legenary Performer (1974) as well as on the boxed set "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits - Volume 1" (1970). Live versions can be found on "Elvis" (1968) and "Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden" (1972). The many lackluster performances prove, that Elvis himself didn't like the song too much. I cannot help to agree. The ballad was written by Ken Darby, who based it on the classic "Aura Lee" from 1861. Because Darby didn't want to be associated with the movie project he credited the song to Vera Matson, his wife. Elvis was also credited as writer, because his manager had dealt out a share in the royalties of 50%. The rock'n'roll king didn't spent much time on "Love Me Tender". He recorded it on August 24, 1956 at the soundstage of 20th Century Fox within two takes.