The Jungle Room at Graceland stands as an iconic space steeped in legend. Its exotic Polynesian décor, complete with a fountain and distinctive green shag carpeting adorning both floor and ceiling, creates an unforgettable ambiance. In February 1976, RCA set up a recording studio within the Jungle Room, hauling in studio equipment for Elvis Presley’s recording sessions. During these sessions, Elvis produced tracks like “Moody Blue,” “Solitaire,” and “Hurt.”
Interestingly, Elvis himself never referred to this space as the Jungle Room; to him, it was simply the den. However, when Graceland opened its doors to the public, the room gained fame under the moniker of the Jungle Room, owing to its distinctive atmosphere. The exquisite carved wooden furniture gracing the room was personally handpicked by Elvis from a Memphis furniture store named Donald’s.
The evolution of this space is a testament to Elvis’s creativity and penchant for creating unique living areas. Originally conceived as a screened porch in the 1960s, it later evolved into a proper room. In 1965, Elvis had a majestic waterfall installed, adding to the room’s allure. In 1974, while hunting for furniture, Elvis encountered a collection of Polynesian-inspired pieces that resonated deeply with him, reminiscent of his beloved vacation destination – Hawaii. Reportedly, Elvis swiftly purchased the entire collection within a span of just 30 minutes, enchanted by the carved wood details, faux fur upholstery, and the iconic green shag carpet that enveloped both the floor and ceiling. Despite its Hawaiian inspiration, all the furniture was procured locally in Memphis.
The peculiar green shag carpeting would later serve a unique purpose when Elvis transformed the Jungle Room into an impromptu recording studio. The songs recorded in this unconventional space made their way onto Elvis’s albums, notably “From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee,” and several tracks featured on “Moody Blue.” Fans can delve into the full breadth of Elvis’s Jungle Room sessions through the 2016 compilation album “Way Down in the Jungle Room.”