'I am reminded of a comment made shortly after the death of Elvis Presley by a musician he had worked with. He pointed out that despite an impressive vocal range of two and a half octaves and something approaching perfect pitch, Elvis was perfectly willing to sing off-key when he thought the song required it. Those off-key notes were art.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Elvis could sing off‑key deliberately when it served the song, turning imperfections into artistic expression.
- In plain terms
- He used intentional off‑key notes as art.
- What can you take from it?
- Purposeful deviation can enhance artistic impact.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is breaking musical rules effective?
- What risks come with intentional imperfections?
Another view
Off‑key singing may alienate listeners expecting precision.
More from Elvis Presley
'I suppose you'd had to call him a lyric baritone, although with exceptional high notes and unexpectedly rich low ones. But what is more important about Elvis …
Permalink to quote #71 'He got even more maturity in his voice as he got older; I was often amazed at his range, just as one singer listening to another. He could sing anything. I've…
Permalink to quote #73 'Elvis Presley has been described variously as a baritone and a tenor. An extraordinary compass- the so-called register-, and a very wide range of vocal color …
Permalink to quote #70
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