Seven Covers of Songs Made Famous By Elvis Presley

Thursdaytime! 

Or, as I like to refer to it, Day Before Pay Day.  I would prefer if this day didn't exist.  Love Wednesdays, love Fridays, just hate that middle day.  

Since my powers of day deletion and calendar reformatting are not working these days, I guess we must Keep Calm and Seven On.  (see what I did there?)

Herc wrote another Elvis Week post for you.  He broke the rule of sevens and expanded to 8.  I have forgiven him though, and so should you.  Its worth the extra brain calories, I promise.

Contrary to my post on covers that Elvis did, his post is about covers of Elvis' that were done in honor of The King. Between Herc and I, we've got you covered!

Make sure to read through to the end, it will be worth your while. And don't forget to Spotify while reading, its a totally 3D blog experience!

Go Herc, go!

Seven 8 covers of songs made famous by Elvis Presley

[part of ongoing series 7 Song Playlists]

It is no secret that Elvis was a singer and not a songwriter but what many non-believers fail to hear is that he was an undeniably talented and gifted stylist as well, imprinting each song he covered with a little bit of his own unique mojo.  Countless artists were inspired by Elvis Presley and they continue to honor and pay tribute to him by covering his songs.  These are a few of the best in Herc’s Book Of The King.

Viva Covers!

“Jailhouse Rock” - Jeff Beck Group featuring Rod Stewart on vocals

There were two Elvis covers on Beck-Ola, the 1969 album from which this track is lifted but this is the better one in Herc’s humble opinion.  Jeff and the boys fatten the sound while retaining its spirit, its outlaw-ish vibe.  There are a few too many solos but Rod Stewart’s distorted vocals pay tribute without imitation as most Elvis covers are prone to.  The lesser cover? “All Shook Up”.

“Always On My Mind” - Pet Shop Boys

In 1987, at a show mourning the Tenth Anniversary of Presley’s passing, Pet Shop Boys performed it live.  It was so well received that they soon entered the studio, recorded and released a single version which went on to become the duo’s biggest selling single in the UK and has since been named as one of the best cover versions of all time.  Vocally, it’s thinner but musically it’s deeper.  And you can dance to it!

“Suspicious Minds” - Fine Young Cannibals AND Dwight Yoakam

This was Elvis Presley’s 17th and final #1 Pop single in 1968.  Eighteen years later, the Fine Young Cannibals with a vocal assist from Jimmy Sommerville unleashed their version.  Lead singer Roland Gift demonstrates some fine Elvis mimicry even if he is gifted with a vocal range but it is Sommerville ultra-high yelping in the background that gets your attention.

In 1992, Dwight Yoakam recorded his version for inclusion on the all Elvis cover version soundtrack to the movie Honeymoon In Vegas.  The spiralling guitar is still there and Dwight’s twangy vocals are matched by dynamic female backing vocalists.  It is very Elvis-like in spirit and execution.

“Don’t Be Cruel” - Cheap Trick

Elvis’s biggest selling single was covered by the Boys from Illinois in 1987.  They stayed true to the E.P. original and the sound was standard Eighties rockabilly revival (think anything by Stray Cats or Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”).  The song made it into the Top 5 and gave the band one last gasp of fame before settling into the casino concert circuit.

“Viva Las Vegas” - Bruce Springsteen

The Boss snarls and howls his way through The King’s Sin City anthem.  It’s just as rockin’ and rowdy as the original if not more enthusiastic. Originally featured on the charity album, The Last Temptation Of Elvis, and later featured in Honeymoon In Vegas, Bruce has performed this song live in concert for decades.

“All Shook Up” - Paul McCartney

Lifetime Elvis fan Paul McCartney paid the ultimate tribute to his idol by faithfully reproducing the sound and attitude of this raver.  You just know he has sung this song thousands of times when no one else is listening and we’re fortunate he let us in on his private joy.

“(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You” - UB40

They renamed it, gave it a back-beat and then UB40 topped charts worldwide in 1993 with their ode to one of Elvis’s most beautiful love songs.  Herc serenades Mrs. Herc with this one so you know it’s powerful stuff.

Viva Covers!
 

*****Bonus Herc post!  An extra hunka hunka from my favorite resident music expert!  It was just too good to be forgotten or left out, I had to add it as a bonus! Enjoy!*****

7 Songs About Elvis
[part of ongoing series 7 Song Playlists]

The life and music of Elvis Presley has been the inspiration for many songs.  Here are Herc’s favorites songs and his favorite lyrics.

About Elvis!

“Black Velvet” - Alannah Myles [1988]
“The way he moved, it was a sin, so sweet and true”

“Walking In Memphis” - Marc Cohn [1991]
“But there's a pretty little thing/Waiting for the King/Down in the Jungle Room”

“Graceland” - Paul Simon [1986]
“Poor boys and pilgrims with families/And we are going to Graceland”

“Calling Elvis” - Dire Straits [1991]
“Well tell him I was calling just to wish him well/Let me leave my number/
Heartbreak hotel”

“Riding With The King” - Eric Clapton & B.B. King [2000]
“You can see it in his face/The blues is his life”

“Man On The Moon” - R.E.M. [1992]
“Hey Andy, are you goofing on Elvis? Hey baby, are we losing touch?”

“Elvis Is Everywhere” - Mojo Nixon [1987]
“Elvis is in Nutty Buddies!”

About Elvis! 

A quick blurb on blog-keeping.  
     I am always trying to improve the experience for the reader and am open to your suggestions and input. Leave them in the comments or shoot me an email!  As you may have already noticed, I have added a few new features.  One is the "Your Thoughts?" poll at the bottom of each post.  Its just for fun(completely anonymous) and some of you have already had fun labeling some of my posts utter crap.  For this, I thank you.  Honesty is nice, especially if you are being sarcastic as intended.  On that note, has anyone noticed I can't handle not knowing who the "anonymous" comments are coming from? Sign your name!  Help me sleep at night!
     The next new thing is the "you might also like" links at the bottom of each post.  This is very new and works best with the blog posts that have images, all TWO of them.  I am thinking about retro-fitting some posts with images after discovering how easy it was to do.  Would you like that?
     Lastly, as a shameless plug, we are rapidly approaching my 50th post.  More of you read than I ever imagined.  I am wondering if my little slice of blog is worthy of being passed along to any of your friends and family?  Click any of the sharing widgets at the bottom of your favorite post and share it on your Twitter Feed, Facebook Wall, Gmail, Google+, or even your very own Blog!  I must reach more minds and grow the fanbase.  Bigger fanbase=bigger Devyn-ego.  Please and Thank you.  

     Truly, thank you for reading.  Thank you to those of you that guest post and take the reins every once in a while!  Thanks to Herc for letting me hijack the bottom of his post for business matters and for always letting me fluff up the start of each post of his, too!(Love that guy.) 

Just think, this is only the beginning...