Skip to content
quotesby

'Elvis had a center of gravity that was low, but also set back and deep; his sexiest moves - legs lolling back and forth, smooth like jelly, hips rolling and tossing everywhere - were performed as if there were a paperweight on a string tied around his waist, and hung from his lower back; with his own weight adjusted to the back, he could free one leg to twist, pop, and jerk while maintaining perfect balance; Elvis' glory was in the shifting of his weight; when he gets going fast, the force of the shifts make his shoulders jerk so hard he looks like he is being electrocuted'

Elvis Presley#115

ElvisPerformanceStage presenceBodyDance

About this quote

What does it mean?
Elvis’s low center of gravity and weight distribution gave him fluid, dynamic movement on stage, making his performance visually striking.
In plain terms
His balance and weight allowed smooth, dramatic stage moves.
What can you take from it?
Physical control enhances stage charisma.

Where it applies

  • concerts
  • dance routines
  • theatrical shows

Putting it to work

  • train balance for fluid movement
  • use weight shifts for visual effect

Questions to consider

  • What role does physicality play in a performer’s appeal?
  • Can movement compensate for vocal limitations?

Another view

Physical showmanship can overshadow musical substance.

More from Elvis Presley

  1. ' That night at the 'Eagle's Nest', I remember, he was playing a D-18 Martin acoustic guitar and he was dressed in the latest teen fashion, but the thing I rea…

    Permalink to quote #114
  2. 'Elvis' early vocals, was a witches' brew of gospel swoops, falsetto shrieks, growls, howls, and scat...an anthem to human cockiness, to the healing, transcend…

    Permalink to quote #116
  3. 'A great, obscure, bluesy ballad that builds in intensity to a powerful ending, the song remains a hidden treasure in Presley's vast catalog; in 1968, while pr…

    Permalink to quote #113

Related quotes

  1. 'I merely leap and pause.'

    Vaslav NijinskyVaslav Nijinsky quote #1
  2. 'I see who you are with the laser, you little dickhead. Oh, aren't you so cool? ahahahahah... Yeah, I saved all my allowance from mommy to go buy a laser so I …

    Dave MustaineDave Mustaine quote #2
  3. She was our queen, our rose, our star; And then she danced-O Heaven, her dancing!

    Winthrop Mackworth PraedWinthrop Mackworth Praed quote #2