Elvis Is Everywhere
Aug. 16th, 2006 10:43 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
filkertomDied 29 years ago today, and still the King. It took me a long time to appreciate him, but The Man Could Sing. And work a crowd like nobody's business. An astonishing performer. (If not the greatest actor the world has ever seen.)
So, what are your favorite Elvis songs? I've got great love for "Jailhouse Rock", "Hound Dog", "All Shook Up", and "Heartbreak Hotel".
So, what are your favorite Elvis songs? I've got great love for "Jailhouse Rock", "Hound Dog", "All Shook Up", and "Heartbreak Hotel".
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(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 02:56 pm (UTC)And, for all the over-productoin of it, I love "In The Ghetto".
When I want something upbeat, "A Little Less Conversation".
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 02:57 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 02:59 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 03:06 pm (UTC)Death Week, when the Faithful gather at Graceland to await the Second Coming of Elvis.
I like most of his stuff with an unquallified liking, but I'm not fanatic. I don't really have a favorite.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 03:39 pm (UTC)I'd have to go with Kentucky Rain, but there are so many good songs, besides the ones that get constant radio airplay. I especially like that Tolkein song he did. ;)
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 03:59 pm (UTC)"Kentucky Rain" is one of the best. "Good time Charlie's got the blues" is one of my favorite of the more obscure.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 06:04 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 06:30 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 08:24 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 03:15 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 03:17 pm (UTC)Can't Help Falling in love with you is a sappy guilty pleasure
The King
Date: 2006-08-16 03:26 pm (UTC)Favorite Elvis Tunes
Date: 2006-08-16 03:29 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 03:38 pm (UTC)I'll also watch the movies if I catch them on cable.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 03:42 pm (UTC)And this was _St. Olaf._ One of the top vocal-music schools in the country.
In a lot of ways, though, I could make a good case that Elvis lived too long. His last years did his image no favors.
And my favorite of his songs is probably "Love me Tender," if only because I'm nuts for Civil War music, and that's to the tune of "Aura Lee."
*chanting* Elvis was a filker! Elvis was a filker!
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 04:29 pm (UTC)I have to agree, at least speaking solely of his legacy as a performer and not of his life as a human being. There's something to be said for going out on top... If he'd died in a car crash or something in 1973, his legend would be basically unqualified.
I've only started to appreciate Elvis' music over the last couple years. As a kid, I never quite saw the appeal, compared to some of the more complex and interesting music I was exposed to (namely, classic rock). But now that I understand the evolution of the genre more, not only can I appreciate the hell out of Elvis' contribution to rock on an intellectual level, but I've actually started to enjoy his music more.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 04:22 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 04:41 pm (UTC)My grandfather (who's been dead almost as long as Elvis) used to refer to him as an 'entertainer,' because entertainment is that which holds the attention. He wouldn't call the man a singer (though I would), but I don't know whether that had anything to do with his voice; it probably had a lot more to do with Pa's <clears throat> Offended Morals.
I don't know about the acting, though . . . I've only seen one movie that he acted in -- I don't remember which one -- and I frankly thought his acting sucked. It might be the difference between playing to an audience that you can see and hear and feel vs. playing to a camera which will later play to that audience.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 04:46 pm (UTC)Anyhoo, I've always been a minor Elvis fan, favorites being "Suspicious Minds," "Can't Help Falling in Love," and "Trouble." Hmmm...and should I admit that I can play CHFIL on six different instruments....?
Promised Land
Date: 2006-08-16 06:06 pm (UTC)I love both Chuck and Elvis's versions, but Elvis's version just makes the miles fly by.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 06:24 pm (UTC)"In the Gheto", I believe his last hit song, really shows that the man could sing.
Thank you.. Thank you very much.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 07:15 pm (UTC)Jailhouse Rock and Hound Dog
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 08:43 pm (UTC)Gessi
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 09:09 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 09:27 pm (UTC)And then there's the whole Lilo and Stitch soundtrack.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 09:32 pm (UTC)Elvis didn't die; he just went home... --Agent K
Date: 2006-08-16 10:14 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 10:15 pm (UTC)oddball semi-related subject, there a filksong about Elvis's sex life, I have a live tape from chambanacon many years ago with Moonwulf singing it, but who wrote it?
Native Memphian chiming in here
Date: 2006-08-17 12:04 am (UTC)That being said, I have a *slightly* different perspective on the Elvis Phenomena, I think. I was in Baptist Memorial with pnuemonia and a collapsed lung the day he died - by that evening, I had never seen a gathering of press trucks, emergency vehicles, and the like in my life (and I have never seen it since, as well) - it was eerie and more than a little surreal - especially since I was slightly oxygen-deprived from my lung problems on top of everything :). And the whole phenomenon has stayed on that other side of reality in my view ever since.
While I appreciate and respect the effect he had on popular culture and rock n' roll and I do believe he had a unmatched voice (especially during the '69 comeback era IMHO), after decades of seeing things like the annual candlelight vigil (which words, and even video, don't really do justice to - you absolutely have to actually be there to completely understand the stunning hieghts (lows?) of craptastical cheesosity of the event) and the almost mercenary whoring out of his name and image, I just really do not have any positive emotions with almost anything to do with Elvis besides the music itself - all the associated *stuff* just makes me feel kind of sad. However, I recognize and acknowledge these feelings, so I try to stay away from mass media for the week so as not to be constantly reminded of it. Would that most Memphians do the same, because what is even more disturbing is Memphis' reaction to the whole thing - so hypocritical. Area businesses will gladly take the tourists' money by the truckload while simultaneously ridiculing them - the contempt this city feels for the fans is masked by the money they make off of them. The sad thing is that most of these tourists don't see it - they don't understand that when a local radio DJ interviews them, they're being ridiculed mercilessly in the studio, or don't detect the "oh, you're one of the *those*" tone to a local's voice when being waiting on them.
I make a wish every year on this day that this be the year he can finally, truly Rest in Peace. So far no luck...
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-17 02:23 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-17 05:55 am (UTC)Elvis
Date: 2006-08-17 03:52 pm (UTC)Nate B.