For the world, Elvis Presley was the King of Rock ’n’ Roll—a cultural icon who lit up every stage and screen he stepped onto. But for Lisa Marie Presley, he was simply “Daddy.” And behind the glamor of Graceland, in the quiet corners of their deeply personal relationship, were two songs that Elvis didn’t just perform—he sang just for her.

Now, in her posthumously released memoir, Lisa Marie finally opens up about the two songs that meant the most to her—and the powerful, emotional stories behind them. One is a heartbreaking ballad that reflects the pain of loss. The other is a spiritual hymn, filled with comfort, hope, and the unmistakable love of a father trying to guide his daughter toward light.

“You’ll Never Walk Alone” — The Heartbreak Hymn

Lisa Marie reveals that one of her favorite songs her father ever sang was the haunting “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Originally from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carousel, the song became a gospel anthem of hope and resilience.

But for Lisa, it wasn’t just about music. It was a memory. She describes a moment when, as a young girl, she had a nightmare and ran to Elvis’s bedroom in tears. He sat her down, wrapped her in his arms, and softly sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone” until she calmed down.

“That moment is frozen in my soul. He wasn’t Elvis the superstar—he was my hero, my protector.”

She recalls that he would often sing it again after long days, especially when life felt heavy. The song took on even deeper meaning after Elvis’s death in 1977, becoming a musical balm for Lisa as she faced grief, loss, and a life under the public eye.

“In the Ghetto” — A Cry for Compassion

The second song Lisa called a favorite was Elvis’s 1969 hit “In the Ghetto.” While the track was already a political and emotional statement about poverty and injustice, Lisa connected with it differently.

“He told me it wasn’t just a song—it was a prayer. A message he wanted me to carry with me.”

She remembered Elvis playing the demo for her before it was released, pacing around the room, eyes glowing with conviction. She said he wept after recording it, overcome with the sorrow of the story it told. Lisa admired her father’s empathy for the world’s suffering, something he tried to instill in her from a young age.

In her memoir, she writes:

“He gave his voice to the voiceless. That’s what made him a king—not the records, not the fame. His heart was wide open.”

Songs That Spoke Louder Than Words

While Lisa Marie and Elvis only had nine years together before his untimely passing, those years were packed with private moments that the public never saw—quiet songs at the piano, bedtime serenades, and impromptu jam sessions in the Jungle Room.

Her favorite songs were not chosen because they were hits. They were chosen because they were his soul speaking directly to hers.

“I think he wanted me to remember him through music,” Lisa wrote. “Not as a legend, but as my father—the man who held my hand and sang me through the storm.” 

A Legacy Passed Down in Song

Today, long after both Elvis and Lisa Marie have passed, their bond lives on in these melodies. The songs they shared are no longer just performances—they are eternal echoes of love, resilience, and family.

As Lisa wrote in one of her final reflections:

“His voice was the last sound I remember from my childhood. And it’s the one I’ll carry with me forever.”