Introduction and Short Summary of the Song
Released in 1967 as the title track of his second gospel album, How Great Thou Art, Elvis Presley’s rendition of this Christian hymn became one of the most powerful recordings of his career. The song, originally a Swedish hymn written in the late 19th century, had been translated into English and gained popularity in evangelical circles by the mid-20th century. Presley’s version, with its soaring vocals and reverent delivery, turned the hymn into both a commercial and critical triumph. The album won Presley his first Grammy Award and cemented his reputation as one of the finest interpreters of gospel music. More than a simple hymn, it became a declaration of faith and one of the defining performances of his later career.
Origins of the Song
The hymn “How Great Thou Art” was originally written in 1885 by Swedish pastor Carl Boberg, who was inspired by a thunderstorm he witnessed. The song was later translated into German, Russian, and eventually English by British missionary Stuart K. Hine, whose version became the standard English text. By the mid-20th century, the hymn had become widely beloved in American churches.
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Elvis Presley had always been deeply influenced by gospel music. Raised in Tupelo, Mississippi, and later in Memphis, Tennessee, he grew up surrounded by gospel quartets, church choirs, and spirituals. Despite his fame as the “King of Rock and Roll,” Presley repeatedly expressed that gospel was his true musical foundation. Recording “How Great Thou Art” for his 1967 gospel album was both a personal and artistic statement, reaffirming his roots and his faith.
Why Elvis Released “How Great Thou Art”
By the mid-1960s, Presley’s career had become heavily associated with lightweight Hollywood films and their accompanying soundtracks. While these projects were commercially successful, critics often dismissed them as formulaic. Presley himself grew increasingly frustrated with the artistic limitations.
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Releasing a gospel album allowed him to reconnect with the music that mattered most to him. How Great Thou Art was intended not only as a creative departure but also as a deeply personal expression of spirituality. The hymn was chosen as the title track because it embodied reverence, grandeur, and Presley’s ability to deliver both tenderness and power in a single performance.
The gamble paid off. The album won Presley his first Grammy Award in 1967 for Best Sacred Performance, affirming his place not just as a pop idol but as a serious interpreter of sacred music.
The Message Conveyed in the Song
The message of “How Great Thou Art” is a declaration of awe at the majesty of God and creation. Its lyrics move from contemplating the natural world—“O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy hands have made”—to the redemptive story of Christ’s sacrifice.
Presley’s performance amplifies the hymn’s message. His delivery begins with quiet reverence, building gradually to powerful, almost operatic crescendos that convey both humility and exultation. The song communicates not just belief but overwhelming gratitude and devotion. For many listeners, Presley’s rendition transcended mere performance, becoming a genuine act of worship.
The Recording and Musical Characteristics
Recorded in May 1966 at RCA Studio B in Nashville, “How Great Thou Art” featured Presley backed by The Jordanaires and The Imperials Quartet, as well as an orchestra.
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Vocals: Presley’s vocal range is fully on display, moving from gentle prayer to powerful, sustained notes that carry immense emotional weight.
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Arrangement: Orchestral strings and gospel harmonies give the track both majesty and intimacy.
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Production: Felton Jarvis, Presley’s producer, emphasized the dynamic build of the song, allowing Presley to unleash his vocal power at the climactic moments.
The combination of gospel quartet harmonies, orchestral accompaniment, and Presley’s impassioned delivery made the recording both traditional and innovative, bringing a church hymn into the realm of popular music without losing its sacred character.
Cultural and Commercial Impact
The release of How Great Thou Art in 1967 was a major success for Presley, both artistically and commercially. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Sacred Performance, Presley’s first Grammy win after more than a decade of superstardom. It also reached the Top 20 on the Billboard album chart, proving that gospel music could achieve mainstream popularity when performed with sincerity and excellence.
The title track became one of Presley’s signature gospel performances, often featured in his live shows during the 1970s. Audiences were consistently moved by the intensity and sincerity of his delivery, with many considering it the highlight of his concerts.
Culturally, the song helped reaffirm Presley’s identity as more than just a rock and roll icon. It showed that beneath the glitz of Hollywood and Las Vegas, he remained deeply connected to the spiritual traditions of his youth. For many fans, “How Great Thou Art” offered insight into Presley’s personal faith and values.
Legacy of “How Great Thou Art”
Today, “How Great Thou Art” is remembered as one of Elvis Presley’s greatest recordings. It stands alongside “Peace in the Valley” and “He Touched Me” as proof of his mastery of gospel music. The song’s combination of lyrical reverence, orchestral grandeur, and Presley’s unmatched vocal performance continues to inspire listeners decades after its release.
Presley returned to the hymn throughout his career, performing it in concerts and even winning another Grammy for a live recording included on the 1974 album Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis. These performances cemented the song’s place as one of the cornerstones of his gospel repertoire.
More broadly, the track is a testament to Presley’s versatility. While he will forever be known as the King of Rock and Roll, “How Great Thou Art” reminds audiences that his artistry extended far beyond rock and pop. In gospel, he found a form of music that allowed him to combine his passion, faith, and vocal brilliance in ways unmatched by any other performer of his era.
More than fifty years after its release, “How Great Thou Art” endures as a spiritual and cultural landmark. For fans of Presley, it is not only a song but also a window into his soul—a moment when his music and his faith became one.