Introduction:
Elvis Presley’s song Raised on Rock was released in 1973 as the title track of his Raised on Rock/For Ol’ Times Sake album. This song was part of a pivotal recording session at Stax Studios in Memphis, a venue associated with soul music and known for its influence on American rhythm and blues. Raised on Rock marked a slight stylistic shift for Elvis, integrating a rock vibe influenced by the music he grew up on, reflecting the era’s nostalgia and his personal connection to rock and roll’s roots.
Written by Mark James—who also penned Elvis’s hit Suspicious Minds—Raised on Rock recalls the rebellious and energetic spirit that defined early rock music, a genre that Elvis had a major hand in popularizing in the 1950s. The album, however, was released during a time of personal and professional challenges for Elvis, including shifts in the music industry and changes in his fanbase’s expectations. Consequently, Raised on Rock/For Ol’ Times Sake received mixed reviews, and its commercial performance was modest compared to his earlier works, selling less than 200,000 copies.
Despite the subdued reception, Raised on Rock holds a place in Elvis’s discography as a reflective piece. It underscores his status as a musical icon who was both a product of and a contributor to the evolving rock and roll genre. The song and the album encapsulate Elvis’s attempt to reconnect with his roots while exploring contemporary sounds of the 1970s. Fans and historians now view Raised on Rock as part of his journey through different musical styles, bridging the gap between his early successes and his later career.