https://i.imgur.com/BpWrmun.jpg
42. Elvis Presley - “Any Day Now” 145 points, 4 votes, 1 number one
― droit au butt (Euler), Monday, 30 July 2018 16:12 (five years ago) link
I'm not a Spotify user, so I won't be making a playlist, but it would be cool if someone did. We'll have had our own take on Elvis' top songs and there's a certain vibe I think you'll recognize as we continue (though that may just be me).
― droit au butt (Euler), Monday, 30 July 2018 16:15 (five years ago) link
I was surprised by how high "Any Day Now" placed, but a #1 will do that. I think of it more as a Ronnie Milsap song.
― droit au butt (Euler), Monday, 30 July 2018 16:16 (five years ago) link
One of my least favorite tracks on From Elvis In Memphis. But I voted for some pretty gooey early '70s stuff, so we'll see what happens as we go on.
― grawlix (unperson), Monday, 30 July 2018 16:24 (five years ago) link
https://i.imgur.com/L9uMnnz.jpg
41. Elvis Presley - “Baby What You Want Me To Do” 153 points, 5 votes
― droit au butt (Euler), Monday, 30 July 2018 16:27 (five years ago) link
Another one where I figure the votes are for the '68 comeback special versions, which are admittedly incredible. As we talked about yesterday, though, it's hard to decide which songs are "enough" Elvis' to vote for them, and like "Any Day Now", this isn't enough his for me to vote for it. But those '68 versions are spectacular, so I understand voting for it.
― droit au butt (Euler), Monday, 30 July 2018 16:29 (five years ago) link
I didn’t vote for Polk Salad Annie but it is one of his A+ live songs for sure
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 30 July 2018 16:37 (five years ago) link
Was thinking there's not many people who could cover "Polk Salad Annie" and do any kind of justice to Tony Joe White's original. Bobbie Gentry would be one of the few.
― Josefa, Monday, 30 July 2018 16:39 (five years ago) link
Other than Elvis, I mean
― Josefa, Monday, 30 July 2018 16:40 (five years ago) link
https://i.imgur.com/hmYvNTA.jpg
40. Elvis Presley - “Trouble” 159 points, 8 votes
― droit au butt (Euler), Monday, 30 July 2018 16:47 (five years ago) link
some votes for "Trouble" included "Guitar Man", from the '68 comeback special version. I put those votes all into "Trouble, since it's the first song of that melody. "Guitar Man" is #56 as it is.
― droit au butt (Euler), Monday, 30 July 2018 16:49 (five years ago) link
"Trouble" was in my top ten (#9, to be exact). Didn't vote for "Baby..."
― grawlix (unperson), Monday, 30 July 2018 16:52 (five years ago) link
Oh, and "Guitar Man" was my #23, at least half because of the Jesus & Mary Chain's cover version. They've rarely sounded this alive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wr-ufpIhmo
― grawlix (unperson), Monday, 30 July 2018 16:55 (five years ago) link
I'm gonna hurry up the last three for the day so that I can get off my computer for the day & move onto phone as needed
― droit au butt (Euler), Monday, 30 July 2018 16:55 (five years ago) link
xp yes I love the JAMC cover, it's what I think of when I think of "Guitar Man". I wish ZZ Top had covered it too.
― droit au butt (Euler), Monday, 30 July 2018 16:56 (five years ago) link
https://i.imgur.com/8ufuyl3.jpg
39. Elvis Presley - “(You're the) Devil in Disguise” 171 points, 7 votes
― droit au butt (Euler), Monday, 30 July 2018 16:57 (five years ago) link
https://i.imgur.com/C8Bjt0w.jpg
38. Elvis Presley - “(You're so Square) Baby I Don't Care” 180 points, 8 votes
― droit au butt (Euler), Monday, 30 July 2018 16:58 (five years ago) link
Trouble is great - one of my favorite performances from the movies
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 30 July 2018 16:58 (five years ago) link
oh actually that's the last for today
I'll continue the roll out tomorrow!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaKds2nev-k
― droit au butt (Euler), Monday, 30 July 2018 17:01 (five years ago) link
Looking up "You're So Square..." I had no idea Buddy Holly had done it before Elvis. (It's a Lieber/Stoller song.) I've never liked Holly, so have only ever heard his four or five biggest hits.
― grawlix (unperson), Monday, 30 July 2018 17:04 (five years ago) link
In the early days of MTV that was the one Elvis "video" they would always show (the clip from Jailhouse Rock Probably the introductory Elvis tune for a lot of '80s kids.
― Josefa, Monday, 30 July 2018 17:08 (five years ago) link
― 3-Way Tie (For James Last) (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 30 July 2018 17:12 (five years ago) link
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/cryptosicko/playlist/15K0ZzVnHRRa3a95ZqLNZz?si=NQL5hJJqQRWp2JGNFvKMzg
I've tried my best to get original studio versions of everything, but the Elvis discography is often confusing (including a few things that only appear to be available on compilations). Please let me know if I've grabbed the wrong version of something if you catch it.
― Police, Academy (cryptosicko), Monday, 30 July 2018 17:13 (five years ago) link
Jackie DeShannon did a great version of Trouble. Embarrassingly I didn't even know it was an Elvis song (well it's Leiber/Stoller, but Elvis did it before Jackie)
― Colonel Poo, Monday, 30 July 2018 17:17 (five years ago) link
And it's very similar to Leiber/Stoller's later hit, "I'm a Woman" by Peggy Lee. Those guys loved Muddy Waters riffs.
― Josefa, Monday, 30 July 2018 17:30 (five years ago) link
I voted for "You're So Square," and always thought it was a Buddy song first, but James Redd is correct.
― clemenza, Monday, 30 July 2018 17:38 (five years ago) link
Did not know Holly recorded it, will have to check it out. Such a funny, silly song can't listen without raising a smile.
― Dan Worsley, Monday, 30 July 2018 17:45 (five years ago) link
You’re So Square was actually played a lot on early MTV, there was a black and white video for it. Great song.With regard to Spotify playlist, I’m sure all the votes for Baby What You Want Me To Do are from comeback special, released as the Tiger Man album.
― kornrulez6969, Monday, 30 July 2018 17:52 (five years ago) link
I know mine was. Was it released in some other configuration?
― 3-Way Tie (For James Last) (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 30 July 2018 17:58 (five years ago) link
Where did you get this information, Phil? Pretty sure it was written for the film Jailhouse Rock.
I must have just misread the dates. That, plus thinking Holly died pretty early on led me to assume he must have gotten to it first. Either way, Elvis's version is the one.
― grawlix (unperson), Monday, 30 July 2018 18:01 (five years ago) link
Any Day Now was my #1. For me it's the pinnacle of the American Studios sessions. The band came up with an unbeatable arrangement (I love Reggie Young's descending intro lick), and Elvis's vocal is impeccable. BTW, Ronnie Milsap was working out of Memphis at the time, appearing nightly at a club called TJs, and Elvis went to see him several times. Milsap recorded over a dozen sides at American and was also a background singer on the Elvis sessions. He did a fine version of the song but doesn't communicate anguish like Elvis does.
― Ρεμπετολογια, Monday, 30 July 2018 18:10 (five years ago) link
I’ve always preferred the first version by Chuck Jackson, never even listened to Ronnie Milsap, will listen again to Elvis’s version.
― 3-Way Tie (For James Last) (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 30 July 2018 18:12 (five years ago) link
47. Elvis Presley - “It's Now Or Never” 128 points, 7 votes― droit au butt (Euler), Monday, July 30, 2018 3:22 PM (three hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― droit au butt (Euler), Monday, July 30, 2018 3:22 PM (three hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
couldn't fit this on my ballot, i love his wannabe mario lanza phase. there are a couple of other tunes that edge it for me in that regard.
actually am posting after seeing a lot of the rollout so far and worried/perplexed that my choices aren't making it, particularly my no.1.
was looking forward to seeing your no.1 james redd. great rationale for it. he never (or very rarely) failed to use it in live concerts, like it was a kind of 'tuning up' exercise to get into a groove.
― lefal junglist platton (wtev), Monday, 30 July 2018 18:34 (five years ago) link
I voted for this one too (#47). I don't even think he ever recorded this in the studio, did he? Only live versions.― grawlix (unperson), Monday, July 30, 2018 4:43 PM (two hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― grawlix (unperson), Monday, July 30, 2018 4:43 PM (two hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
i thought he did, but i could be wrong, going to go check.
― lefal junglist platton (wtev), Monday, 30 July 2018 18:37 (five years ago) link
Any Day Now was my #1. For me it's the pinnacle of the American Studios sessions. The band came up with an unbeatable arrangement (I love Reggie Young's descending intro lick), and Elvis's vocal is impeccable. BTW, Ronnie Milsap was working out of Memphis at the time, appearing nightly at a club called TJs, and Elvis went to see him several times. Milsap recorded over a dozen sides at American and was also a background singer on the Elvis sessions. He did a fine version of the song but doesn't communicate anguish like Elvis does.― Ρεμπετολογια, Monday, July 30, 2018 7:10 PM (twenty-eight minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― Ρεμπετολογια, Monday, July 30, 2018 7:10 PM (twenty-eight minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
nice description. it's also quite a challenging melody line in the verses, which he nails with aplomb.
― lefal junglist platton (wtev), Monday, 30 July 2018 18:48 (five years ago) link
I voted for "You're So Square," and always thought it was a Buddy song first, but James Redd is correct.― clemenza, Monday, July 30, 2018 6:38 PM (one hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post PermalinkDid not know Holly recorded it, will have to check it out. Such a funny, silly song can't listen without raising a smile.― Dan Worsley, Monday, July 30, 2018 6:45 PM (one hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― clemenza, Monday, July 30, 2018 6:38 PM (one hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― Dan Worsley, Monday, July 30, 2018 6:45 PM (one hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
Interesting fact about 'Baby I don't care' is that Elvis played the electric bass introduction because Bill Black (his sidekick from the beginning at Sun Studio and a master on the slap double bass) couldn't nail it on an electric bass guitar. I think from memory that if you listen closely Elvis is slightly ahead of the beat to start with before the rest of the band comes in.
Understand Dan's point about the lyrics, but I've always thought the song was quite threatening, partly because of the bass line and partly because of the spare punkish arrangement. What my dad would describe as a 'tough sound'.
― lefal junglist platton (wtev), Monday, 30 July 2018 18:51 (five years ago) link
Up to date now with my comments :-) and none of my picks have appeared so far. Thanks Euler and Moka, this has been one of my favourite ILM days in all my years on here.
https://i.imgur.com/4L244EQ.jpg
― lefal junglist platton (wtev), Monday, 30 July 2018 18:57 (five years ago) link
Always thought it was quite welcoming in that the protagonist is clearly a rocker/beatnik/hipster but overlooks the girls faults in not fitting into his clique and is happy to accommodate her warts and all. May be due to my first exposure being through the Bryan Ferry version where he's plays it rather more needily.
― Dan Worsley, Monday, 30 July 2018 19:08 (five years ago) link
Also love that "You're So Square" is 1:50! That's the length of, like, a Minor Threat song.
― grawlix (unperson), Monday, 30 July 2018 19:10 (five years ago) link
That one was my #8
― 3-Way Tie (For James Last) (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 30 July 2018 19:22 (five years ago) link
“You’re So Cubed (Baby, I’m No Rube)”
xxxxp Polk salad Annie never recorded in studio
― lefal junglist platton (wtev), Monday, 30 July 2018 19:23 (five years ago) link
Apparently Bill Black threw or slid that electric bass across the floor, he was that frustrated by his inability to play it.
― 3-Way Tie (For James Last) (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 30 July 2018 19:27 (five years ago) link
Polk salad Annie never recorded in studio
There's a lot of contemporary '70s material that he only did live, presumably because the Colonel's publishing reigns weren't as tight. That's one of the interesting facets of the Elvis On Tour film from '73 is that the setlist is almost all those kinds of songs.
― Making Plans For Sturgill (C. Grisso/McCain), Monday, 30 July 2018 19:34 (five years ago) link
Also, speaking of movies, I guess there weren't enough votes for the side poll?
― Making Plans For Sturgill (C. Grisso/McCain), Monday, 30 July 2018 19:40 (five years ago) link
There's a lot of contemporary '70s material that he only did live, presumably because the Colonel's publishing reigns weren't as tight. That's one of the interesting facets of the Elvis On Tour film from '73 is that the setlist is almost all those kinds of songs.― Making Plans For Sturgill (C. Grisso/McCain), Monday, July 30, 2018 8:34 PM (eleven minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― Making Plans For Sturgill (C. Grisso/McCain), Monday, July 30, 2018 8:34 PM (eleven minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
I didn't know that, I'm going to go back and check the soundtrack! Had On Tour as my no.2 film, as even thought it's more hectic and unexpected in parts, that's the way it is is so magisterial.
― lefal junglist platton (wtev), Monday, 30 July 2018 19:48 (five years ago) link
I've never seen On Tour. I own That's The Way It Is on DVD, though. The alternate cut with more performance and rehearsal footage is fantastic.
― grawlix (unperson), Monday, 30 July 2018 19:54 (five years ago) link
On Tour is awesome -highly recommend if you havent seen it
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 30 July 2018 20:07 (five years ago) link
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
it's basically 'that's the way it is' but with added prescription meds and karate yoga
https://i.imgur.com/Q4V1Jac.jpg
― lefal junglist platton (wtev), Monday, 30 July 2018 21:07 (five years ago) link
oops
― lefal junglist platton (wtev), Monday, 30 July 2018 21:08 (five years ago) link