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'In the mid-60s, when Elvis was making those godawful movies and my friends and I were buying albums by the Stones and the Yardbirds, a mate and I would always go to see Elvis on the big screen; we knew the formula and always used to laugh about them afterwards, but what I also remember is what used to happen in the cinema: not long after the opening credits the audience would start talking and laughing through the dialogue - but the second Elvis sang everyone would stop and listen; Elvis' voice had that effect, even when he was considered as a joke by a generation grown up on tougher music and rock musicians who seemed much more rebellious, dangerous and innovative; so, for me, it has always been about the music and even when he was all but lost to us, in those final years, you can still hear that raw passion flare up; and I defy anyone, knowing that he had just separated from his wife and was heartbroken, to listen to 'Always on my Mind' and 'Fool', and not be moved; you can hear a man whose heart is breaking; listening to the best of his music, whether it be raw rock'n'roll or those genuinely heart aching ballads, confirms for me that Elvis has never left the building'

Elvis Presley#130

MusicPerformanceElvis presley

About this quote

What does it mean?
Even when considered a joke, Elvis's voice could command the audience's attention and convey raw passion.
In plain terms
Elvis's singing stopped people from talking and showed his powerful impact.
What can you take from it?
A strong vocal presence can cut through distraction.

Where it applies

  • concerts
  • movie screenings
  • listening parties

Putting it to work

  • play recordings loudly
  • focus on vocal delivery

Questions to consider

  • What makes a voice command attention?
  • How does nostalgia shape perception of music?

Another view

The anecdote reflects personal nostalgia and may not generalize to all listeners.

More from Elvis Presley

  1. 'Elvis Presley did more to change the course of popular music and youth culture than any other entertainer in the twentieth century, beginning with his meeting…

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  2. 'Elvis manages to pull off exponential, seismic shifts in energy, unleashing hoards of it through his voice whilst, within the space of a second, racing up the…

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  3. 'Once upon a time, all we knew about Elvis was that he sang like a motherfucker; and that was all that mattered; you know, when you gas up and you go to pay in…

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