This is a companion piece to a similarly-themed article on Pete’s site which, all things being equal, should be published at roughly the same time.
A few short steps away from last week’s Memphis playlist, this week we were listening to Elvis. It was mostly not awful.
Lawdy Miss Clawdy from Elvis Presley: Having said that, i didn’t like this much.
Mystery Train from Elvis At Sun: The thing I like most about this is the percussion.
Long Black Limousine from From Elvis In Memphis: A bit of a dirge. Heh.
His Latest Flame from No1s: Why is this song so familiar? For some reason I feel that it featured a lot in certain of my teenage years. I don’t know anyone called Marie, and I dislike the song; but I cannot recall the precise reason that I know it so well.
Tomorrow Is A Long Time from Tomorrow Is A Long Time: With its delicate guitar sound and simple beauty, this is the hit of the playlist. This song makes me understand why they called him The Voice. While listening, I feel it is the most romantic song in the world, and yearn to be dancing in the arms of the man I love. I am waiting for the original Bob Dylan version to be provided, for research purposes.
Good Rocking Tonight from Elvis At Sun: Sounds as though the commercial call of the dancefloors has been heard by this point. I bet he really did have a pair of Rockin Shoes.
I’m Leavin’ from Burning Love: Lovely melody and sliding vocals; this one will stay on the iPod.
In The Ghetto from From Elvis In Memphis: A dull tale of woe.
Heartbreak Hotel from No1s: My initial thought was “blah blah,” but then I actually listened, and the vocals on this song are FAB, and the instruments not overdone. I think I would like to hear this song covered by Pete’s band.
One Night from No1s: Puts me in mind of a sleazy old man giving the come-on to some girl who doesn’t know any better. I object strongly to the notion that for Elvis, one night with said girl would make all his dreams come true. I feel that most girls would find the offer of a single night less than romantic; not that were all looking for a great big commitment, but what about her dreams? Obv. it’s the 1960s and this is Elvis Presley offering to spend one wonderful night with her, so perhaps in fact that would be a dream come true for thousands of girls. It just seems kind of arrogant.
Sounds like our opinions of Tomorrow Is A Long Time were fairly directly opposite then.
One Night was not from the sixties, Elvis recorded it in 1957, (he was 22!). He didn’t write the lyrics, he sang them brilliantly, as he did everything he recorded. C’mon, it’s a song, not a political statement, how can you take it so literally and so seriously?!!!
But I believe you’re right when you say “….this is Elvis Presley offering to spend one wonderful night with her, so perhaps in fact that would be a dream come true for thousands of girls..” that statement is still true today!
I’m glad you appreciated Tomorrow Is A Long Time, and you understood why they called him The Voice, please don’t tell me after you hear Dylan’s original version you think it’s better….incidentally, not sure if you know, (or care, LOL), Dylan said that Elvis recording one of his songs was one of his proudest moments!
No, I definitely preferred Presley’s version over Bob’s. But on the whole I remain somewhat repulsed by One Night.