Elvis Presley: Priscilla Presley Said He Sang a ‘Sexy’ ‘Blue Christmas’ in This Clip
Every holiday season, Elvis Presley becomes a radio juggernaut again thanks to “Blue Christmas.” During an interview, Priscilla Presley discussed the first time she saw Elvis perform “Blue Christmas.” Interestingly, his rendition of “Blue Christmas” became a chart hit long after its initial release.
How Priscilla Presley reacted when Elvis Presley sang ‘Blue Christmas’ in his ”68 Comeback Special’
The ’68 Comeback Special aired in December. Elvis sang a famous Christmas song in the special: “Blue Christmas.” During an interview on Elvis’ YouTube channel, Priscilla discussed watching that performance.
“Elvis’ performance of ‘Blue Christmas’ during the ’68 [Comeback] Special, we’re all blown away,” she recalled. “Especially me, because I had never seen Elvis perform live the whole time that I was with him, because he was doing movies. I was in the audience when he sang that song, and it was a very bluesy, very sexy rendition of the song.”
Priscilla Presley said ‘Elvis’ Christmas Album’ ’caused quite a stir’
Priscilla said Elvis’ Christmas songs had quite an impact. “I know it caused quite a stir, his first album, Elvis’ Christmas [Album], back in the day, because that’s exactly what people were talking about was how he was affecting our youth, his morals were terrible, he was the devil because the way he moved,” she recalled. Notably, Elvis’ Christmas Album includes his version of “Blue Christmas.”
“Blue Christmas” had relevance decades after the ’68 Comeback Special. In 2019, the track peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100, spending three weeks on the chart. This proves the song had incredible longevity in the United States. Its parent album, Elvis’ Christmas Album, peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard 200 in 2009, staying on the chart for 76 weeks.
The impact ‘Blue Christmas’ had on the United Kingdom and pop culture
“Blue Christmas” became popular in the United Kingdom as well. According to The Official Charts Company, the song peaked at No. 11 in the U.K. in 1964, staying on the chart for 15 weeks. Meanwhile, Elvis’ Christmas Album peaked at No. 2 in 1957 and lasted on the chart for six weeks. Subsequently, the album peaked at No. 7 in 1971, staying on the chart for five weeks.
The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s “Blue Christmas” had relevance outside its time on the pop charts. For example, it appeared in the Christmas horror film P2. Another version of the song appears in the seasonal favorite The Year Without a Santa Claus. In The Year Without a Santa Claus, a small girl sings the song after learning that Santa Claus will not be delivering presents that year. “Blue Christmas” seems to connect with audiences and Priscilla felt her husband knew how to make the song sexy.
