Exactly What Was Elvis Presley’s Biggest Hit Record?

Was it “Heartbreak Hotel” or “Hound Dog” or something else?

RCA Victor 47–6604, “Hound Dog” / “Don’t Be Cruel,” was the first Elvis 45 issued commercially with a picture sleeve. In its penny-pinching wisdom, RCA made the sleeve on uncoated papers. The cheap paper aged quickly, obvious here in the border at the top, which should be starkly white. Finding a near mint copy of this sleeve is difficult and the ones most commonly found are counterfeits. (Image: personal collection)

WHAT WAS ELVIS PRESLEY’S BIGGEST HIT? The term “hit” almost always refers to one side of a single, whether it is an antiquated 45 rpm single (1949–1989) or a prehistoric 78 rpm single (1898–1958). The term is relative: A record that made it to #88 and stayed on the national Top 100 for three weeks in 1966 would be a big hit for a rock & roll band on a local record company that only received airplay and distribution in northeastern Pennsylvania.

On the other hand, a record that reached #11 for a group following five straight #1 records might be considered a disaster and the sign of impending doom! In deciding what was the biggest hit for artists with multiple chart-topping hits (Elvis, the Beatles, the Supremes, etc.), several factors would usually have to be taken into account to determine their “greatest hit.”

For casual observers, the record that spent the most weeks at #1 on Billboard or Cash Box would probably provide the answer. With artists with many hits, other factors might need to be addressed, such as the success of the record in other markets around the world. And then there are sales, which can also be viewed relatively or absolutely.