'Take a track like 'One Sided Love Affair' (1956), and really examine every nuance of his voice, every caress, every tease and every growl that he lets loose for the song's duration, and you`ll you come to understand that the reason Presley's voice has been so often imitated is because it was unique and, furthermore, fuckin' great; no phony piano intro, not even a puerile lyric could have ever stopped him from turning this song into a real classic; imagine, then, how great it is when Elvis gets to sing material that is up to his standards - like on the Sun Records label song 'Tryin' To Get You' (1955) - , probably the bluesiest song on this record, where Presley shows a sense of determination, not just a combination of nobleness and sex, but an expression of guts as well; quite simply, this is a guy who knows what he wants, and knows he's gonna get it, and his confidence - never arrogance -, is so contagious that by the end of the song, you believe it too'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Elvis's voice is unique and powerful, making his songs classics when the material matches his standards.
- In plain terms
- His voice stands out and makes good songs great.
- What can you take from it?
- Match strong vocal talent with quality material.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes a voice unforgettable?
- How do song choices affect a singer's impact?
Another view
Even great vocal talent can be limited by weak songwriting.
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