While there are some similarities between Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton and Elvis Presley’s versions of the song Hound Dog, I am of the opinion that there were more differences. The obvious similarities would be the lyrics retained in Elvis’ version of the song, though the interpretation of those lyrics were very different. Perhaps what I feel is colored by growing up in a household where my mother was an Elvis fan who played his version, and my father, who was a coal miner’s son born in the 1920s in the “hills” of Virginia, sang and played a much loved copy he had of Big Mama Thornton’s version. While my father masculinized the song when he sang it, he did so retaining much of the spirit Thornton’s recording had. Early on I was too young to understand any of the risqué meanings behind the lyrics, but I knew it had a deeper meaning than the fun version my mother and her sisters would bounce to while it played. …show more content…
Big Mama Thornton’s style was gritty, sassy, and powerful. The tempo is slower, her words clearer (in her version, she enunciates better than Elvis Presley), as was her intent. She was fed up with her man’s philandering and she was not going to take it anymore, no matter how much he wags his tail, she was no longer going to feed it. I also decided to watch a recording posted online of Big Mama singing Hound Dog. I found two versions, one with Buddy Guy obviously performed in the latter part of the fifties or early sixties, and another performance in 1971. I thought both versions, sung in different eras of Thornton’s life, were
After five cutting-edge singles, Elvis’s contract was sold to RCA Records and then his career rapidly took off (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame). His first number one single was “Heartbreak Hotel,” and his first album was Elvis Presley (biography.com). By 1956 Presley was an international sensation. Although many of the teenagers of Elvis’s time was very intrigued by his diverse musical styles, sexy dance moves and good looks, much of the older generations were outraged by his gyrating hips and music (biography.com). One of Elvis’s most controversial instances was on the Ed Sullivan Show where he sang “Hound Dog,” for the first time on television (Comprehensive History of Elvis Presley’s Dynamic Life). He was already considered to be a rebel and no one knew what
During the 1900s, passion of composing music arose and encouraged many young teens to create garage bands and elder to perceive music as career. Famous musicians like Robert Johnson, Bill Monroe, and Elvis Presley were seeking the same. Although many were composing songs, most of them adapted their own versions from many which created a list of similarities and differences between them. Most commonly similar were themes or forms yet some differentiated in delivery style or instrumentation. Many artists got more creative and used similar instruments but give a twist into the sound play. This can be seen in the script or heard in the audio of the songs “Walkin’ Blues” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky” like many others.
Elvis Presley has made a name for himself playing live, touring, and starring in movies, as Son House was founded by two blues enthusiast who played just for the blues. Presley could be marked down as one of the best musicians in our time, whereas Son House is not as recognized nearly as much. Son House came a little before Presley when blacks weren’t really publicized, and when Elvis came around he was all over the place. Son House has true bluesy type music, where Elvis has plenty of different styles. I will be comparing two of the artists songs from the instruments, tempos, message, and
Elvis Presley was one of the most influential rock and roll singers in the American history. Presley’s work revolutionized the music and brought about significant changes in the entertainment industry. He grew up in an environment where racial segregation between the whites and African Americans was highly pronounced. In fact, Presley schooled in Memphis where he graduated from a whites-only high school. However, he upheld the Black’s music and made it possible for their music to be accessed by the White American youths. Presley’s tracks broke past the racial barrier as many teenagers loved his amazing voice. Through his music, he confronted racism and challenged both social and moral values. Elvis Presley changed the manner in which the Black minority were treated in the U.S. through his music, and this initiated the fights against racial discrimination leading to the civil rights movement.
In the book “mama might be better off dead” written by Laurie Kaye Abraham, tells a story of Jackie Banes and her family, and their struggles to hold the family’s health together. Her grandmother Mrs. Cora Jackson, who pretty much raised her, has suffered the amputation of one leg because of uncontrolled diabetes. Jackie’s father, Tommy, who has suffered a stroke because he didn’t care about the consequences of high blood pressure. Jackie’s husband, Robert, who has a progressive kidney disease. Abraham has gone out of her way to find more about the American health care system in North Lawndale, Illinois. Throughout the book she talks about how the health care system in America is so unfair and unsatisfactory to the needs of poor people such as the Banes’s Family.
Presley facilitated desegregation through his music genre and selection. He did this by creating music for both Black and White listeners “integrating” the two music genres. For instance, Elvis Presley’s first single released in July of 1954 began his career of integrating Black and White music. This record contained a cover of “That’s All Right” an R&B song which was originally written and recorded by the African American artist Arthur Crudup on side A. While side B was a recording of a cover of the bluegrass song “Blue Moon of Kentucky” by the white artist Bill Monroe. This representation showed the American people that both Black and White culture could live side by side beautifully. This record also displayed the beginning Presley’s attitude and complete disregard for segregation.
In Alice Walker’s, Nineteen Fifty-Five, a young white singer, Traynor, acquires song rights from an African American rhythm and blues singer, Gracie Mae. The song makes Traynor rich and famous. Obsessed with finding out the song’s meaning, Traynor remains in contact with Gracie Mae through letters, gifts, and visits. The conflict of the story is in Traynor’s inability to ascertain the meaning of the song. Traynor eventually passes away, without ever resolving the conflict.
and Willie Nelson. The song is an old southern anthem of the basic tale and fate of growing up. The song goes on to
Compare and Contrast Outline Elvis Presley – - Born in Tupelo, MI - Was criticized that he “imitated black artists” and that’s how he rose to fame - Appealed to young, white America - Blues influence - Country and R&B - Was basically doing the same this as Chuck Berry but since he was white it was okay Chuck Berry – - Born in St. Louis, MO - Father of two - Formed a vocal quartet while in prison in 1944 - After release, performed in bars and parties for both whites and blacks - First paid nightclub performance was in 1952 - Racial oppression was a major obstacle for Berry - “Little Queenie” – pretend musicians in the video - Country mixed with R&B - Created rock guitar licks and riffs Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry’s influence on rock and
When Elvis was born, Jessie Garon, Elvis’s twin brother, was stillborn. From then on, Elvis’s mother, Gladys Presley, was so scared to think that she would lose Elvis too, that she didn’t let him out of her sight. When he first started school, it was sad. People judged him by the clothes he wore and that his mom walked him to school everyday. From the very beginning, Elvis’s family didn’t
Elvis Presley was best known for his integration of R&B and country music. The public was scared that not only Presley would integrate music but also the white and black community. Which was something he did actually achieve according to Little Richard “He was an integrator. Elvis was a blessing. They wouldn’t let black music through. He opened the door for black music” (Elvis After 198). Parents were afraid of his music, considering it was said that he had a voice of a black man. He caused controversy, a white man singing black music on the radio.This controversy grew as Presley grew in
Elvis Presley’ musical career has many differences from Frank Sinatra’s, while they still share some similarities such as their fan base and their middle lower social status. The differences between them are affected by many factors such as the development of technology, social environment and so on.
In 1956 Elvis Presley recorded and performed Hound Dog, in this rhythmic blues type of newfound Rock and roll. Elvis Presley brought into feeling; the movements of rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s. While listening to Elvis Presley's cover presentation of Hound Dog, his rendition was quite different in one emotional effect from that of Willie Mae Thornton presents. The feeling one may obtain while listening to Elvis Presley's Hound Dog, may be to get up and dance, and clap your hands, as it energizes the insides of your soul. Rock 'n' roll can take a sad song and pump it with enthusiasm. The mindset as one, listening to Elvis Presley's rendition of hound dog, would be livelier. The soul and inner soul of a human would be more to jump and dance at this version versus Willie Mae Thornton’s version of Hound Dog. This classic rock 'n' roll/rhythmic blues genre, that Elvis created, is classic, and body moving
On the other hand, the narrator adds fictional events revolving around her and Elvis's life. Beginning in 1955, when she sold Traynor, the historic based character of Elvis, one of her songs. One year later she sees Traynor or Elvis singing "her song" on television. A year after that she mentions that Traynor and his manager had "bought up all her records" and on his record he "had put, written by Gracie Mae Still." Then, receives a "gold grill, white Cadillac" from Elvis, as a gift. Furthermore, she says that when Traynor got drafted, he kept
Appalachian music changed after the 1920’s to more of what those outside Appalachian music liked about the music. Appalachian music was no longer the name for the music of this area and Hillbilly music came about for the commercial spread of Appalachian music (Malone, 1994). With the commercial spread of Appalachian music as Hillbilly music gave a way for the music to transform and continue to make new songs (Malone,