Introduction:
“Viva Las Vegas” is a vibrant song recorded by Elvis Presley in 1963 for his film of the same name. Written by the renowned duo Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, the track captures the energetic spirit of Las Vegas, reflecting the city’s lively nightlife and casino culture.
Released as a single on April 28, 1964, with “What’d I Say” as the B-side, “Viva Las Vegas” achieved moderate success, reaching No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Interestingly, the B-side outperformed it, peaking at No. 21. In the UK, the song reached No. 17 on the Singles Chart and improved to No. 15 after a reissue in 2007.
Despite its initial chart performance, “Viva Las Vegas” has become one of Presley’s most enduring songs. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the single gold on March 27, 1992, signifying over 500,000 copies sold in the United States.
Over the years, “Viva Las Vegas” has been covered by various artists, including a notable version by ZZ Top in 1992, which reached the Top 10 in both the UK and Ireland.
Although Elvis Presley never performed “Viva Las Vegas” live, its enduring popularity and association with the city have solidified its place as a classic in American music history.