Wednesday, April 03, 2013

Top 5 Songs: Elvis Presley

So today is.......


















Yeah, I thought so;)

Today is also time for another edition of the Top 5.
To be perfectly honest, this'll probably be the last one for awhile unless I drastically change things up. I don't know about you people, but I've been really bored lately with some of the features here, so a change is desperately needed. As they say when it comes to creativity when it's no longer fun and seems more like a chore, than its time to do something else or quit.

And don't get me wrong, it's not like making a list like the top 5 hasn't been fun. Because it has. I get to expose you guys to new things, or rather old songs you may not have heard before, or you have, so we have an open dialogue that goes back and forth on what we agree or disagree on.
But yeah, I've been getting bored with it, so I'm either changing the format, or just letting it fall by the wayside for a bit.

Anyhoo, here's the last Top 5 for awhile, and it's a doozy because it's my all-time top 5 picks from the legendary king of rock himself, Elvis Presley.....



So here goes, and yes, I'm pretty sure there are enough Elvis fans or casual fans to probably disagree with me on this list.


Also, I made a conscious effort to stay away from some of those songs that are so instantly associated with him anytime you mention his name. Nope, I'm going for my picks here, and yes, there will be a tie;)


5). "Teddy Bear"/ "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck"
                                   Teddy Bear


                           Wear My Ring

To me at least, these songs are pretty much the same, although that shouldn't hurt their standing as far as his list of hits go. But yeah, they're pretty much interchangeable, but still good, classic fun songs all the same. It's just Elvis having fun you know?

4). "Return To Sender"


It wasn't just a classic song, it was an f'n movie too! Gotta' love that right?
This was around 62', and Elvis-mania was arguably at it's peak. He had hit singles and albums, and hit movies as well. Was there anything he couldn't do during this time period?

3). "Suspicious Minds"

"We're caught in a trap 
I can't walk out 
Because I love you too much baby 

Why can't you see 
What you're doing to me 
When you don't believe a word I say? 

We can't go on together 
With suspicious minds 
And we can't build our dreams 
On suspicious minds"

Yep, we certainly are aren't we Elvis? Gotta' love a song like this that you know Elvis knows all about from personal experience many, many time over. Hunka, hunka burnin' love indeed;)


2). "Can't Help Falling In Love With You"

To perfectly honest, this is one of those rare times where I prefer a cover over the classic. Yes it dones't happen often, but when it does, much props have to be given when earned. As much as I respect and appreciate Elvis' version of this song, and I do, esepcially with that Hawaiian vacation-vibe and tone to it, I just prefer UB40's version more. Sorry people, just stating a fact.


1). "In The Ghetto"

This choice for the top spot might shock you guys, but I absolutly love this one! Of course the song became  further indeared to me after having some friends make a private joke about it, but yeah, this is classic Elvis, but with a twinge of that social relevance that he was starting become known for in the latter stages of his career. This song would really be a precursor in a strange way to rap as far as social commentary on the plight on inner-city youths and the struggles of blacks, and really all minorities then and and especially now in today's society. But leave it to Elvis to paint such a beautifully sad portrait with nothing but the paints and brushes of his voice and lyrics.

Country legend Dolly Parton would later cover this song, and I really enjoy her version as well, but yeah, Elvis is still king baby!

As always, feel more than free to tell what you think, and even show off your top 5 list.
Have a good one;)

5 comments:

IADW said...

First drive in movie I ever saw was Via Las Vegas and that song will always be number one for me, for both that reason and its building pace. We were meant to see E.T. But got our nights wrong.

The other four, Suspicious Minds -cos we've all been there, A little less conversation - cos it works so well in remixes, don't be cruel, and finally White Christmas which isn't exactly his, but when I heard him sing it, I got it dubbed - and I hate carols!

Omega Agent1 said...

The King has definitely made his mark on our American culture, and is one of the best to have ever touched a stage or graced a microphone. Until Graceland. Nice post Dale.

Mr. Morbid's House Of Fun said...

@Dan, yeah I forgot to mention "A little less conversation", especially for the remixed version alone as you mentioned.

Also "Fools rush in" and "Are you lonesome tonight". Good god that's a damn good song that we all can relate to.
And there's probably more I unintentionally left, but you guys get the picture.

Getting to see Viva Las Vegas, not to mention any movie @ a drive-thru is something I'd like to do before I kick the bucket, so kudos to you for being able to do that.

@Omega, appreciate it good sir;)

Randomnerd said...

I was going to say "Are you Lonesome Tonight" ;) That would replace "In the Ghetto" for me, although not in the order you've got them.
@Dan, I've never heard him sing White Christmas! And I LOVE Christmas songs, especially that one. I'm a Crosby NUT.
It would be really hard for me to make this list Dale. There are too many songs. I grew up watching Elvis Movies with my mom in the afternoons. I never knew what the plots were, but I loved listening to the music. Excellent choice.

Mr. Morbid's House Of Fun said...

@Random, thanks for the feedback, always a pleasure you know;)

If I had to do it over, I'd save the tie for 1st place with "Are you lonesome" and "In the Ghetto", but that's just me.

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