Promised Land



This song was written and recorded by Chuck Berry in 1965. Elvis recorded it on December 16, 1973 at Stax Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. Working this session were: James Burton, Johnny Christopher and Charlie Hodge (all on guitar); Norbert Putnam (bass), Ronnie Tutt (drums), and David Briggs and Per-Erik "Pete" Hallin (both on piano and organ). Female backing vocals were by Kathy Westmoreland, Mary Greene, Mary Holladay and Susan Pilkington. Male vocalists were by: J.D. Sumner and The Stamps, consisting of J.D. Sumner, Bill Baize, Ed Enoch and Dave Rowland; and by Voice, consisting of Donnie Sumner, Sherrill Nielson and Tim Baty. Elvis later overdubbed vocal harmony for himself. Strings and horns were also overdubbed. The "Promised Land" single was released in October 1974 with "It's Midnight" as the other side. In the U.S. it peaked at #14 in its 13-week run on the pop chart. In the UK it reached #9 in its 8-week run on the pop chart.