The Shane Dillehay
Professor
Lyrics Class
10/22/2015
Impact of Music
Music of the 1950’s went through three different fazes making it the mark of the century when it came to genres that were influenced by many individual record labels. Out of the many artists that contributed; one stood out. Elvis Presley, the international speaker and song writer, promoted the early pop era into becoming a world mainstream according to Rolling Stones Magazine. Presley’s famous recordings, crazy dance moves, positive attitude, and sense of style earned him the number one best singer in the 20th century state by BBC radio. His music was greatly influenced by African American Blues, Christian Gospels, and Southern Country singers. By the way he lived his life
…show more content…
Elvis’ version of this song is based on a Texas group called Freddie Bell and The Bell Boys. Elvis and his band explored the Vegas strip one night and somehow ended up in the Sahara. When they arrived in the lounge they came to find out that Freddie Bell and The Bell Boys were the ones preforming on that current night. Throughout the night they played several different songs, but the one that stuck out the most to Elvis was their comedic version of “Hound Dog”. Elvis liked it so much he decided to put his own spin on the song. Elvis did not use the same exact words as Big Mama, instead he put his own twist, but still kept the skeleton of the song the same. In Elvis’ version of the song he sings about how he is disappointed with his lover by say, "Well, they said you was high-classed, but that was just a lie" six times. But when it comes to Thorton’s original song, she sings the line twice as "You told me you was high class, but I can see through that.” which is one of the main differences between the two songs. Hound Dog was finally released on July of 1956, and it lived up to every expectation and more. However when it was originally released it was kept out of the top spot. Soon after "Hound Dog" made it to number one on the R&B and country charts. But finally, "Hound Dog" became the number one pop song, a huge first in the recording history. Later, both Elvis’ songs, "Hound Dog" and …show more content…
It was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, both of which also wrote "Hound Dog," This song was featured in the movie with the same exact name where Elvis was the star of the film. This movie became famous for the scene where Elvis performs this song in an extravagant dance number as expected for Elvis. Jailhouse Rock, the song, is famous uniqueness and its classic sound. As his career grew, Presley made more and more movies, however producers realized that these movies did not need any songs in them in order to attract an audience. Simply having him in the movie was enough to attract a huge crowd. Elvis was one of those rare artists whose appeal could attract the attention of almost any type of listener solely due to his name.
Jailhouse Rock and Hound Dog, were both composed by Leiber and Stoller during the Rock-N-Roll mainstream of the 1950’s. Songs that are written by Leiber and Stoller often take place in unfamiliar situations and are very clever. This is true of Jailhouse Rock and Hound Dog as Hound Dog is centered on a women rejecting her man and calling him a dog and Jailhouse is focusing on events that are taken place in a jail. Both songs were written with the elements of Blues music and although they have been sung by other artist Elvis Presley’s versions have been the most
When a person thinks of rock music in the 50s, they usually think of Elvis Presley, “the King of rock and roll”. However, he seems to exhibit a more stereotypical American approach to music. As Americans, we like everything that entertains us to be bigger and better than before. Presley certainly delivers this idea through his outfit,
Presley grew up in an era where racism was strong; his music brought all races together. His music had Caucasians singing black R&B despite the racism. Teenage girls all over the world would go hysterical over Elvis and his crude moves. Elvis received one of his nicknames “Elvis the Pelvis” with his sexual moves that could not be recorded on television. 1955 and 1956 was when Presley exploded in his musical careers with his single “Heartbreak Hotel” which sold over one million copies. As I listened to this single that sold so many copies I can hear the different genres and the way his voice was so different compared to other artist in this era. The main instrument being played in this single is a guitar. There is actually a hotel named after Elvis’s first hit single. It is located in Memphis, Tennessee. Unfortunately, the hit song was inspired behind a suicide note that one of Pre...
There is no doubt that Elvis Presley’s impact on American society has revolutionized the world of music and movies, which eventually earned him the name. From truck driver to Rock and Roll icon, Presley’s charismatic attitude and dance moves have become forever remembered in American history. His record-breaking career set a higher bar for many more musicians. Talented in both vocals and acting, his image alone speaks for itself. Elvis’ audience consisted of all races, ages, and gender; his style of music combined gospel, country, blues, and Rock and Roll.
Like Martin Luther King Jr. said, “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” In the 1950’s the South was heavily racially segregated. Elvis Presley unintentionally put himself in the position to become a valuable instrument in the battle against segregation. “Without casting himself as a fighter for racial equality, Elvis became a subversive standard bearer for cultural desegregation at a time when the codified racism of the South was under increasing pressure.” How did an uneducated white hillbilly from the south influence both black and white teenagers against segregation? It was quite simple, for Elvis Presley had a unique talent of combining traditional black music; such as the blues and jazz, with the traditional white music; like country and white gospel. This unique style of blending different types of music, gave Elvis the edge on the musical racial barriers America was facing; and open the path for both sides to enjoy the music together and therefore desegregated.
In the 1920s, it was the birth of Jazz and the Blues. More importantly, black musicians/artists were becoming recognized during this decade, more before than the 1910s, due to this new genre of music. Since these artists were becoming recognized, three songs really catches the eye of this decade and represents the overall historic event of the 1920s; “social changes and profound cultural conflicts.”
After many of World War II’s harmful effects, the 1950s served as a period of time of musical change that reflected the dynamic of society as well as the traditional norms and values. Many factors contributed to this transformation. For example, the civil rights movement heightened many racial tensions, and the music produced consequently manifested this tension in itself. Rock-n-roll and R&B music universalized music typically associated with African-Americans, and many African-American musicians gained fame; however, as with any relatively-widespread success, there were many musicians as well who missed their opportunities due to the same racial segregation. While “radical” genres such as R&B and rock-n-roll laid the foundation for music future forms of music, the standard pop, jazz, and country music adhered to traditional values, and thus continued to maintain popularity amidst phenomena such as the Elvis craze.
As the era of War and Depression was coming to a close, a new America was on the rise. Women began taking their place within the role of housewife while teenagers were careless with their actions. Since the Great Depression was over, the economy was booming and all the worries about money were gone. Race and segregation was still a problem and becoming more and more controversial. African Americans were fighting for desegregation, especially in schools such as in the Board v Brown case. While the new era brought on some social changes, many known changes came from one man known as “The King of Rock and Roll”: Elvis Presley. With Market potential on his mind, Sam Phillips of Sun Records was looking for an artist who appealed to both whites and blacks, found just what he was looking for in Elvis, a man with a white face and a black sound. Phillips managed to find an artist who appealed to the largest consumer base; white society. Presley’s music would go on to revolutionize future genres along with the people themselves. Elvis Presley did not only impact fashion, attitude, music and views on race during the 1950s, but also had a profound influence regarding these aspects that can still be seen in today’s society.
The song Hound Dog, by Willie Mae Thorton, is a very unique song. What make this song unique is the raspy and soulful sound of Thortons voice. Despite the loud and upbeat tones of the drum, guitar, and base, Thorton’s voice grabs the listener’s attention. Her passion and emotion is very evident as she sings the word of the song. You can hear her anger when she is signing about not feeding the dog anymore, a message that could be interpreted in many different ways. The way I interpreted this message was her telling the story of how men treat her. At the end of the song there are howls, which I feel is a way off her making fun of those who have belittled and hurt her in the past. I could relate to her anger in regards to this subject, which made me appreciate the song even more. The way she soulfully coveys her message made me want to hear more, understand her story more, and love her sass/dramatic way of telling a story through music.
Music has continued to change throughout each decade, but the 1960s was the most influential decade in the history of music. Starting in the early 1950s, rock music was first introduced. Major record labels were releasing new “cover songs” which were originally made by black artist, but now by white artist (Rock and Roll). These cover songs changed a few lyrics from the original songs to avoid copyright issues and to also make the song more appropriate for the white listeners. The biggest star of the 1950s was Elvis Presley, who was known as the “King of rock n’ roll”.
Through Elvis Presley, rock ‘n’ roll changed the face of American music, and influenced a whole generation’s political philosophy. Composer Leonard Berstein once said, “He introduced the beat to everything and changed everything-music, language, clothes; it’s a whole new social revolution-the 60s come from it” (Wattenberg 6B). To his credit, Elvis embraced rhythm and blues not as a from to be imitated, but as a form to honored and interprete... ...
He rocked the world with his voice and soul. He was Elvis Presley. On August 16, 1977, the world sat in sorrow as one on the most renowned and loved singer had passed. He left a large impact, though. Presley’s music and almost everything about him is still found all around, today. “I never expected to be anybody important.” These were the words of the man who became the second best selling artist of all time. Through music, some dance, and pop culture, Elvis Presley proves his stand as the most influential person in American History.
Elvis Presley changed the music world as they knew it back in the 50’s he came out with a wild new style unlike any other. Even to this day if you hear Elvis’ name you automatically think of his signature style or as the king of rock and roll. Hound Dog was controversial for it’s time and made extra controversial by Elvis’ moves and how the ladies would swoon and storm the stage to see him. Presley was so ahead of his time that most adults didn’t because of his so-called vulgar ways but the younger generation went crazy for Elvis and his new style of blues meets country hence creating rock and becoming the king.
... gospel singer, had he lived for six more months. Presley also revealed his spirituality through racial reconciliation. His appreciation for black and white southern gospel music was evident, and he even showcased black performers as his backup singers. In a concert song entitled “An American Trilogy,” Presley challenged southerners to transcend sentiments rooted in racism that dated back to the Civil war. Presley’s spirituality can be seen as a white working-class southern spirituality. Overall, Presley’s southern spirituality drastically influenced his music and his career embodied the southern movement toward using modern entertainment to reach all with the age-old message of the gospel.
One of the earliest controversies involving an artist’s actions and songs in in the music world came on June 5, 1956 when rock and roll legend Elvis Presley performed a rendition of his song “Hound Dog” that had the public outraged. He received backlash for his pelvis-shaking intensity his fans screamed for while television critics described it as “appalling ...
His impact on music is one of the greatest of all time; influencing artists like Buddy Holly and The Beatles, he paved the way for current Rock and Roll. Spotify has created an entire web page, called Elvisualization, tracing current music artists to Elvis Presley, it is found at: http://static.echonest.com/insights/elvis/elvisualization.html. I was able to find many different singers including Blake Shelton, who was inspired by Vince Gill, and he was inspired by Merle Haggard who was inspired by Elvis. Many different artists attribute different characteristics which can be traced back to Elvis. That is what a true king does, encourage long after he is