Elvis Presley – That’s the Way It Is (1970)
Studio album • Released: November 11, 1970 • Label: RCA Victor • Producer: Felton Jarvis
That’s the Way It Is is the twelfth studio album by American music legend Elvis Presley. Released as a companion to the documentary film Elvis: That’s the Way It Is, it uniquely blends studio recordings with live concert tracks from his August 1970 Las Vegas performances, capturing Elvis at a pivotal moment in his post‑comeback career.
📀 Tracklist
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I Just Can’t Help Believin’ (Live)
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Twenty Days and Twenty Nights
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How the Web Was Woven
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Patch It Up (Live)
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Mary in the Morning
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You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me
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You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (Live)
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I’ve Lost You (Live)
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Just Pretend
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Stranger in the Crowd
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The Next Step Is Love
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Bridge Over Troubled Water
🧑🎤 Album Credits
Artist: Elvis Presley
Producer: Felton Jarvis
Label: RCA Victor
Recorded: June 5–7 & August 11–12, 1970
Venues: RCA Studio B (Nashville) & International Hotel (Las Vegas)
Genres: Pop • Country • Rock
Musicians (main contributors):
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Elvis Presley – lead vocals, guitar
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James Burton – lead guitar
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Jerry Scheff – bass
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Glen Hardin – piano (live)
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The Sweet Inspirations – backing vocals
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The Imperials – backing vocals
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The Jordanaires – backing vocals (studio tracks)
🖼️ Cover Art & Design
The album cover features a candid performance photo of Elvis at his August 11, 1970 Dinner Show during his Las Vegas engagement. Fans often note its raw, reflective quality — showing “the King” in a moment between songs — symbolizing the energy and humanity of his live performances.
Unlike many classic album covers of the era, this design doesn’t rely on heavy graphics but instead focuses on Elvis mid‑show, reinforcing the live connection between the music and the accompanying documentary.
📈 Chart Performance & Certifications
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Billboard 200: #21
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Billboard Country: #8
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RIAA Certification: Gold (1973), Platinum (1,000,000+ units) post‑humously certified in 2018
⭐ Ratings & Reception
While not universally hailed as Elvis’s strongest studio album, That’s the Way It Is is generally appreciated for blending emotive live performance with polished studio work.
Critics and commentators note:
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The album leans more toward middle‑of‑the‑road pop and country than Elvis’s raw early rock sound.
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Its live tracks stand out as highlights, capturing Elvis’s showmanship and vocal confidence.
Unofficial reviewers sometimes rate it highly — citing strong vocal performances and emotional depth — even if mainstream critics were mixed.
🎵 Popular Tracks
Many songs from the album remain beloved by fans and collectors:
✔ I Just Can’t Help Believin’ – Live version became a UK Top‑10 hit.
✔ You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me – Released as an advance single.
✔ Patch It Up (Live) – Energetic performance, often cited as a concert highlight.
✔ Bridge Over Troubled Water – Elvis’s cover of the Simon & Garfunkel classic.
🎉 Fun Facts & Trivia
🔹 This album isn’t strictly a soundtrack, but it was released alongside the documentary Elvis: That’s the Way It Is.
🔹 Nearly all studio tracks were recorded in June 1970 in Nashville, with live tracks from Elvis’s August Las Vegas engagement.
🔹 The original LP had a mix of studio and live material, an uncommon format that bridges two significant aspects of Elvis’s work.
🔹 “I Just Can’t Help Believin’” was later released as a single in the UK, peaking at #6 on the UK Singles Chart.
🤔 Did You Know?
🎸 The album includes a mix of genres — from powerful pop ballads to soul covers and heartfelt country numbers — showcasing Elvis’s versatility as a performer late into his career.
🎬 The accompanying That’s the Way It Is film documented Elvis’s return to live performance after years focused on movies, making this album a key part of that creative resurgence.
🎤 Some songs on the album, like “Just Pretend” and “Stranger in the Crowd,” reveal a more introspective Elvis, adding depth beyond the typical Las Vegas glitz.
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Elvis Presley - Elvis' Christmas Album (1957)
Elvis Presley - Blue Hawaii (1961)
Elvis Presley - Viva Las Vegas (1964)
