# Can someone explain why Elvis was and is so dammn popular? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 12, 2003, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234 "2003-04-12T09:58:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![jack\_ss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c77e96/32.png) [@jack\_ss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jack_ss)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2003, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234/41 "2003-04-13T22:30:59Z")
> [@](#): > > gobear: I have to agree with bren. Big Mama Thornton did the definitive version of “Hound Dog,” IMO. But who else did as good a cover of _Blue Moon of Kentucky_ as the King? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2003, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234/42 "2003-04-13T23:37:16Z")
**Gobear** Wrote: > [@](#): > > Elvis? KNOCKOFF?? Are you kidding? Which songs did ANYone else do better than he? Suspicious Minds? Hound Dog? Can’t Help Falling in Love? Heartbreak Hotel? Jailhouse Rock? Good criminy. Well, I’ll list some songs that I would say were definitely done better before, but subsequently became better associated with Elvis. A lot of the covers I’m skipping here might belong on the list, because I’ll bet if I survey people, a lot more songs would turn out to be associated with Elvis more than anyone else. And there are some cases where I wouldn’t assert that the Elvis version is distinctly inferior, such as with _Blue Suede Shoes_. _Crying in the Chapel_ – Sonny Til and the Orioles _Good Rockin’ Tonight_ – Wynonie Harris _A Fool Such as I_ – The Robins _Hound Dog_ – Big Mama Thronton _Money Honey_ – The Drifters _One Night with You_ – Smiley Lewis (_One Night of Sin_) _Such a Night_ – The Drifters _Ain’t that Lovin’ You, Baby_ – Jimmy Reed _High-Heel Sneakers_ – Tommy Tucker _I Can’t Stop Loving You_ – Ray Charles _Lawdy Miss Claudy_ – Lloyd Price _Mystery Train_ – Little Junior Parker ---
**Author:** ![Payton\_s\_Servant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3da27b/32.png) [@Payton\_s\_Servant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Payton_s_Servant)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2003, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234/43 "2003-04-13T23:49:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\*It all has to do with historical and cultural perspective, which a great many people under 30 seem to lack. > > In the 1950s, the pop culture world was incredibly different from ours. For one thing, there was barely an acknowledgement of the teenage audience. The closest thing to a teenage pop idol in the first half of the 50s was, believe it or not, Pat Boone, whose songs and movies were extremely popular. Because of the segregated nature of radio in those days, songs by black artists were played only on black radio stations because white radio would not touch so-called “race music.” When music exectuives wanted to break a “race” song into the larger culture, they would have a white artist like Pat Boone cover a sanitized version of the song and therefore keep the kids safe from the vulgarity and unsavory nature of race music (pass me the smelling salts, Mrytle!). > > Then came Elvis. > > He was a lanky, devilishly handsome white boy who had the fire and drive that made black music so enticing to teens. Because he was white, Elvis’s music could be played on stations that would not touch Little Richard. Elvis was raw sexuality so scorching that he son had the adult establishment calling for his head. To quote an apocryphal saying attributed to Sam Phillips, the man who released Elvis’s early songs, Elvis was “a white man who sang like a n\_\_\_\_r.” > > Elvis broke the walls between white and black music, and soon white kids were listening to the black radio stations and learning the beat laid down by Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard. > > Elvis was a one-man cultural revolution who paved the way for the 60s. \*\* Actually Pat Boone’s music career didn’t take off until 1955, so he was hitting the charts the same time that Elvis was. Also, I think that white kids were listening to _“black”_ radio stations, in fact, Alan Freed was a Dee-Jay for what probably would have been called a "_black_ radio station. All that meant was that the stations format leaned heavily on R&B, which was primarily played by black acts. As for the Phillips quote, what he said was, _If I could find a white man who sounds like a black man when he sings, I’ll make a million dollars."_ Sam Phillips was **not** the type of person to use the word _nigger._ ---
**Author:** ![GraceTX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c4cdca/32.png) [@GraceTX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GraceTX)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2003, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234/44 "2003-04-14T01:21:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hamlet \* > \*\*I think Johnny Angel was referring to the fact Elvis didn’t write his own songs, and barely played a musical instrument. He was an entertainer to be sure, but not a musician. \*\* Elvis didn’t play the guitar very well. He only knew three chords, but he definitely was a musician. He played the piano and did a pretty good job of it too. And I don’t agree with the statement that Elvis’ singing wasn’t as good before his death. I think some of the recordings before his death were some of his best vocal performances. I never say he was fat because I think there’s a difference between being fat and being bloated. He was unhealthy and his body was bloated from years of drug abuse, but his voice was still pretty damn amazing. ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2003, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234/45 "2003-04-14T02:01:30Z")
What’s been said by previous posters is on the mark about Elvis’ talent and popularity. He was the right guy at the right time to funnel hip-shakin’ Black music into a mainstream American audience. Good-lookin’, great voice, and loved his Mama plenty, with all the right M’am and Sirs. To me, a lot of his music pales in comparison with the originators, but he had more energy than his contemporaries. And certainly beared the brunt of a naiscent _Star_ mechanism. The man behind the curtain, Sam Phillips, should get a good heap of accolade too, for funneling African hip-shake into 1950’s America. He knew exactly what he was doing, he loved the music, and Elvis was the perfect white guy to more acceptably cast out the diaspora of African rhythm. Not to say that Sam was a multi cultural advocate, but he well saw the power of the music. If you’d like to know the whole story, Peter Guralnick has written the definitive biography of Elvis, in two hefty books: _Last Train to Memphis_ and _Careless Love_, by Little Brown and Co. Guralnick is an impeccable researcher, and presents the whole history of Elvis, warts and all, no sensationalism. A must read for Elvis fans, but also important in understanding the Elvis Era in context of current popular music. To add a bit: In Mississippi, I lived around the corner from Elvis’ saddlemaker and jeweler, the guy who made all those TCB necklaces. He lived at Graceland for awhile, and always commented on Elvis’ generosity and loyalty to friends. As superstars go, Elvis really did keep to his humble roots with sharing the wealth. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2003, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234/46 "2003-04-14T02:02:55Z")
Elvis was pretty weird in the end, but oh my GOD! He oozed sex appeal back in the fifties. And he DID have a fantastic voice. Ever listen to “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” Oh wow…I get chills. I mean, back then, remember, conformity was everything. Then you had this guy with bedroom eyes and a sexy sneer and a Southern drawl, that hank of hair hanging in his eyes, thrusting his pelvis around…that was something! He had to be shot from the waist up on the Ed Sullivan Show, because back then the censors would never DARE allow such raw sexuality on television! If you don’t get it…well, I guess I can’t help you. ---
**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2003, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234/47 "2003-04-14T02:05:45Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Hamlet_ > I think Johnny Angel was referring to the fact Elvis didn’t write his own songs, and barely played a musical instrument. He was an entertainer to be sure, but not a musician. There’s a picture on a CD case here (Louisiana Hayride/Elvis Broadcasts) that has Elvis behind the drumkit, but I don’t know if he played. He also seemed to have played bass guitar, based on his ownership of two Fender basses and pictures of him playing them. I consider the voice to be a viable instrument, anyway. [sub]And – sorry, Elvis – _Hound Dog_ is Ms. Thornton’s song. :)[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![minega](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@minega](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minega)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2003, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234/48 "2003-04-14T18:53:07Z")
Okqy FINE! he had a good voice…i got it, i got it. Otherwise, thanx for the answers… ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2003, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234/49 "2003-04-14T19:20:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Johnny Angel \* > \*\ ***Gobear** Wrote: > > _Mystery Train_ – Little Junior Parker \*\* I had to take issue with this one; the others on your list were maybe open to debate, but Little Junior Parker’s _Mystery train_ better than Elvis’s? I regret to inform you that I now question your sanity. 😃 **djf750** , Elvis Aron Presley did indeed have a twin brother who died at birth, named Jesse Garon Presley. Jesse is buried at Graceland now, with Elvis and their parents. And **elelle** , I’m glad you mentioned the Guralnick books; they are fantastic and should be required reading for anyone with an interest in the history of rock and roll. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2003, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234/50 "2003-04-14T19:20:32Z")
It’s long been trendy in some circles (especially among rock critics) to dismiss Elvis as nothing more than a white guy who got rich re-making of songs black artists had already done better, but I don’t take such stuff seriously. First, because Elvis’ version of Hound Dog" was a million times better than Willie Mae Thornton’s. Second, Elvis was NEVER a Pat Boone type who watered down black music. He frequntly revved up and energized songs. By the time Elvis got through with a song (be it Bill Monroe’s “Blue Moon of Kentucky” or “Hound Dog”), it sounded very different from (and usually better than) the original. Moreover, Elvis’ roots were NOT solely in black music. Of COURSE he’d grown up listening to black music (primarily gospel and blues), but also to country, and also to crooners like Dean Martin! In case you didn’t know it, Dean Martin was Elvis’ idol, and the guy he tried hardest to emulate, both vocally and in appearance (his trademark bouffant was copied from Dean Martin). Elvis was a synthesizer, not a mere copycat. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2003, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234/51 "2003-04-14T19:50:47Z")
His Sun Sessions material is absolutely legendary rock’n’roll. I normally do prefer the original R&B recordings over white artists’ cover recordings. But while giving Wynonie Harris, Big Mama Thornton, and Arthur Crudup props for being the originators, what Elvis and his boys did with their songs just sends chills down my spine. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2003, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234/52 "2003-04-15T12:21:14Z")
Elvis had charisma. Charisma is a thing rooted in time and context. The films and recordings don’t convey much but a hint of that magnetism. If you weren’t there, you probably won’t ever understand it. Think of it in these terms: When you watch old newsreels, do FDR and Hitler seem like particularly charismatic guys? To the people of their time and place, they were. ps Elvis was also genuinely a very talented performer. He can hang with any of the great musical performers, no question about it. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2003, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234/53 "2003-04-15T23:50:46Z")
> [@](#): > > Which songs did ANYone else do better than he? Love Elvis to pieces, but Simon & Garfunkel OWN “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” I’ve yet to hear one person or group that could sing it better. ---
**Author:** ![forreal7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ccd318/32.png) [@forreal7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/forreal7)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234/54 "2017-06-19T20:57:14Z")
that’s an insult. how can you compare him to madonna? unlike most singers today, elvis was a straight, talented, soulful and respectable singer who deeply believed in God. He didn’t cross dress, sing like a girl such as prince or perform homosexual and sacriligious acts like madonna. Elvis was the King of rock ‘n’ roll. today’s musicians are disgusting. singers like elvis, would wear the best suits and ties and the women were always well-dressed. now it’s all about body piercings, tattoos, sex, drugs, and sexual perversion. > [@Mockingbird](#): > > He was the first to be a charismatic white rock and roll singer. > > He was the Madonna of his time, without longevity. > > Remember: his career ended with him being a bloated joke, sorta like Delta Burke, but less attractive. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234/55 "2017-06-19T21:16:13Z")
> [@forreal7](#): > > that’s an insult. how can you compare him to madonna? unlike most singers today, elvis was a straight, talented, soulful and respectable singer who deeply believed in God. He didn’t cross dress, sing like a girl such as prince or perform homosexual and sacriligious acts like madonna. Elvis was the King of rock ‘n’ roll. today’s musicians are disgusting. singers like elvis, would wear the best suits and ties and the women were always well-dressed. now it’s all about body piercings, tattoos, sex, drugs, and sexual perversion. This thread is 14 years old, **Mockingbird** hasn’t posted here since 2006. Capitals can be your friend. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234/56 "2017-06-19T21:18:21Z")
I’d like to hear from a higher ranked “for real” than no. 7. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234/57 "2017-06-19T21:43:01Z")
> [@forreal7](#): > > that’s an insult. how can you compare him to madonna? unlike most singers today, elvis was a straight, talented, soulful and respectable singer who deeply believed in God. He didn’t cross dress, sing like a girl such as prince or perform homosexual and sacriligious acts like madonna. Elvis was the King of rock ‘n’ roll. today’s musicians are disgusting. singers like elvis, would wear the best suits and ties and the women were always well-dressed. now it’s all about body piercings, tattoos, sex, drugs, and sexual perversion. And that has what to do with the music? ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234/58 "2017-06-19T22:19:13Z")
Rhinestone encrusted jumpsuits were the best suits around in the 70s? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234/59 "2017-06-19T22:25:48Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Capitals can be your friend. I was once in a bowling league with Ulaanbaatar. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234/60 "2017-06-19T22:33:01Z")
> [@forreal7](#): > > that’s an insult. how can you compare him to madonna? unlike most singers today, elvis was a straight, talented, soulful and respectable singer who deeply believed in God. He didn’t cross dress, sing like a girl such as prince or perform homosexual and sacriligious acts like madonna. Elvis was the King of rock ‘n’ roll. today’s musicians are disgusting. singers like elvis, would wear the best suits and ties and the women were always well-dressed. now it’s all about body piercings, tattoos, sex, drugs, and sexual perversion. Are you not aware of the nickname Elvis the Pelvis? I’m not sure what you mean by “sacriligious acts” but he certainly played up the fucking motion to the teens…like Madonna. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-elvis-was-and-is-so-dammn-popular/168234.md?page=4)