Tag: Elvis Presley

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Artist of the Week

Artist of the Week: Elvis Presley

I find it only fitting to make Elvis Presley my artist of the week, being that today is the 33rd anniversary of his death. The King of rock & roll, I’ve been listening to Elvis for as long as I can remember. Whether it’s his infamous, “Jailhouse Rock” or the beautiful “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” his songs are classics.

I’ve posted a few of the more popular videos below for your enjoyment. You can also view previously unreleased photos of Elvis as a 21-year-old at Rolling Stone here. What’s your favorite Elvis song?

“Suspicious Minds”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTYg2Q-vDJ0?fs=1]

“Jailhouse Rock”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UcY_KsvHho?fs=1]

“(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhdUucs8AlY?fs=1]

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News

Happy Birthday Elvis Presley!

The King of Rock & Roll would have turned 75-years-old today. Whether it’s the infamous “Jailhouse Rock” or the delicate “Love Me Tender,” his impact on the music industry is undeniable. I compiled a few Elvis videos below. I’d love to know what some of your favorites are!

“Heartbreak Hotel”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1Qo1eaWF8c]

“Jailhouse Rock”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRu3tw9fYxE]

“Don’t Be Cruel”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUWMSVDPdGQ]

“Suspicious Minds”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTYg2Q-vDJ0]

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Song of the Week

You Sing, I Write’s Christmas Playlist

It’s that time again. The tree is decorated, the gifts are (almost) all wrapped and holiday music has been heard non-stop since Thanksgiving. For this year’s Christmas playlist I’ve included some reader favorites as well as a few of my own. Listen below and feel free to leave additional suggestions in the comments!

Charlie Brown: “Christmas Time Is Here.”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPG3zSgm_Qo]

Bruce Springsteen: “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yErhglOXIxM]

N’Sync:”Oh Holy Night.”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXzJqRXLI08]

House of Heroes: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”
http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8267678&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1

House of Heroes “O Come, O Come Emmanuel from Ransom TV on Vimeo.

Elvis Presley and Martina McBride: “Blue Christmas”

Did I leave out any of your favorites? Let me know! Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas.

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Features

Salute To the King of Rock & Roll: Elvis Presley

Today marks the 32nd anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death. Like him or not, his impact on the music scene is undeniable. A crossover talent, his music included everything from rock & roll, pop and rockabilly to blues, gospel and R&B.; Not to mention his pulsating dance moves, distinctive clothing and seductive charm, Presley’s musical success and popularity forever made a name for himself as The King.

I was fortunate enough to visit Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, this summer while covering the CMA Music Festival, fulfilling a lifetime dream of mine to visit Elvis’ personal sanctuary and tour his home and the surrounding grounds. Below are some photos by Wendy Hu as well as my personal favorite video of “Jailhouse Rock.”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpzV_0l5ILI]


What’s your favorite Elvis song? Do you feel any other musicians will leave as big a lasting impact on music? If so, who?

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Features

New York Opens Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex

Last week I headed to SoHo to visit the recently opened Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in New York — definitely the best money I’ve spent in a while. From walking throughout three rooms of exhibits to watching a video of some of rock’s biggest icons live in concert, not to mention an autograph room where each musician’s signature lights up on the wall as their music is being played from speakers, there was something to offer every music fan.

As my friends can attest, I love quotes. So, the live footage of some of my favorite rock legends — Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, James Brown, The Beatles, Aretha Franklin and more — was great, but even better were some of the quotes intertwined with each performance. Here are a few that stuck out for me:

“A live concert to me is exciting because of all the electricity that is generated in the crowd and on stage.” Elvis Presley

“Music has to breathe and sweat. You have to play it live.” James Brown

“The words are just as important as the music.” Bob Dylan

“Music makes me high on stage, and that’s the truth. It’s like being almost addicted to music.” Jimi Hendrix

After the video, everyone was ushered into the first of three galleries where we were given a set of headphones and hand-held audio guide to walk us through each area. With personal memorabilia from every band imaginable — from concert posters, numerous acoustic and electric guitars and clothing from many well-known musicians to Johnny Cash’s boots, Elvis Presley’s personal Bible with handwritten notes in the margins (the page on display read, “The Lord is the strength of my life he shall lead me.”), and Bruce Springsteen’s 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible (see below) there was so much to see!

The Doors, the Who, Metallica, Prince, Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan — you name it, there was something to see from each band and musician. In addition to two rooms of band memorabilia, a third gallery focused solely on The Clash — complete with live concert footage and exclusive interviews as well as posters, tour outfits and band equipment.

Another interesting portion was reading notes to fans written by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones before they hit it big. One of my favorite parts of the exhibit was seeing handwritten lyrics to infamous songs like Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” Madonna’s “Express Yourself” and Billy Joel’s “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant.”

I highly recommend the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for anyone visiting New York. They have a special holiday reduced price until January 2nd which I took advantage of, but if you miss that, it’s still well worth seeing for any music lover. I hope I didn’t give away too much of the exhibit, but provided a glimpse of what it has to offer. Be sure to visit and let me know what your favorite exhibit is! For more information, check out the Web site here.

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Song of the Week

Song of the Week: “Blue Christmas”

It’s that time of the year again! The cold weather is starting to settle in, houses are fully decorated and most importantly, it’s finally time for some holiday music. I’ll warn you now, the next few weeks will most likely have tons of holiday song features. This week’s “Song of the Week” is my all-time favorite Christmas song, “Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley featuring a duet with Martina McBride.

Watch Elvis and Martina perform “Blue Christmas” live below.

http://myplay.com/share/widgets/viral

And to learn more about the album, Elvis Presley Christmas Duets, watch Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, and other artists talk about recording with Elvis below.

http://myplay.com/share/widgets/viral

If you’d like to record your own duet with The King be sure to check out http://www.singwiththeking.com. You can put his recording as well as your own duet into an e-card and send to your friends and family. Come on, that’s a pretty unconventional Christmas card to send this year. I might send one myself . . .

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Song of the Week

Songs of the Week: 5 Oldies But Goodies

I’ve been freelancing at Rolling Stone the past two weeks helping out with their “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” online package — be sure to check it out next week! I’ll definitely write a post about it once it’s live so be on the lookout. Most of the songs featured I remember from my childhood, growing up and listening to the oldies with my Dad. At the time, I wished more than anything that he’d change the oldies station to Z100, but I must say I’ve gained a newfound appreciation for classic rock ‘n’ roll over the past few years. So much so, I even have an “Oldies” Pandora channel I listen to at work. I really wish I could live a day in the 50s and 60s and cover a show back then. Not to mention interview Elvis Presley, that would be amazing!

This week instead of my typical “Song of the Week” I’ve picked five of my favorite songs from the rock ‘n’ roll era. I really couldn’t narrow it down to just one, so enjoy my mix of songs for the week!

1. “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC_UILNwWrc]

2. “My Girl” The Temptations

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCRcra2o964]

3. “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfsvE4j4ExA]

4. “In the Still of the Night” by The Five Satins.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBT3oDMCWpI]

5. “Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We8P_Ww27hY]

Honorable mention: “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” by Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers. You have to watch this hilarious video from “The Frankie Laine” show from the 1956. Lymon was only 13 when he wrote this song!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q96ylFiQK_I]

What are some of your favorite oldies songs?

Categories
Song of the Week

Song of the Week: “Jailhouse Rock”

This past weekend was Elvis Presley weekend on all the oldie stations here in South Carolina, commemorating the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s death just over 30 years ago. It’s crazy to think it’s been 31 years since the King’s death (well before my time, I know) but the reality of his impact throughout the music industry and rock ‘n’ roll is inarguable. Growing up, I listened to a lot of Elvis thanks to my Dad and his favorite station, New York’s WCBS 101.1. And, while at the time I’d wish he’d listen to anything but the oldie’s, I’ve come to fully appreciate and respect the music I grew up with, Elvis being one of my favorites. Below is the King’s fun video for “Jailhouse Rock” — a classic which can never be forgotten. Enjoy!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpzV_0l5ILI]

Categories
Song of the Week

My Favorite Holiday Tunes

I finally started to listen to some holiday songs while wrapping gifts this weekend. Besides figuring out that I am by far the worst gift wrapper (you know, the kind that cuts the wrapping paper just about an inch too short so there’s a little strip of box showing underneath), I happened to find an old Christmas CD I must have made back in high school and figured I’d share some of my favorite tunes. So here’s my top 10 favorite holiday tunes, in no particular order.

1. “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole
To be honest, I had no clue this was even the name of the song. Possibly better known for its subtitle and opening line – “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire” – Nat King Cole’s calming voice makes everyone want to sit back, relax and drink some eggnog while trying to resist the temptation of opening all those gifts under the Christmas tree.

2. “Let It Snow” by Dean Martin
Another classic holiday song by crooner Dean Martin with lyrics such as “The weather outside is frightful, but the fire’s so delightful/Since we’ve no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.” Seriously, who doesn’t love a perfect rhyme scheme repetition throughout a song? I think every song should be entirely made up of clever rhymes.

3. “Sleigh Ride” the instrumental version.
I think all those years of playing “Sleigh Ride” on my clarinet throughout high school finally has grown on me. It really is a quality song. I really like Relient K’s version as well…you can check it out on their MySpace

4. “Wonderful Christmas Time” by Paul McCartney.
From the catchy intro McCartney has me hooked. Everyone should simply have a wonderful Christmas time.

5. “Last Christmas” by Wham!
Possibly one of the more depressing holiday songs, Wham! demonstrates how horribly heart-wrenching it is to have your heart broken on Christmas.

6. “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey.
This may be my favorite Christmas song. The lyrics, the rhythm. Maybe it’s just the hopeless romantic in me, but every time I hear this song I just can’t help but sing along regardless where I am.

7. “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” by N’Sync.
Okay, okay. You can make fun of this choice, but remember I grew up during the boy band era. This song just can’t help but get you into the holiday spirit. The piano introduction, the up tempo beat throughout the song’s entirety, Justin Timberlake . . . I have a feeling it may be a lot of people’s guilty pleasure holiday song.

8. “Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley.
He is the King. Need I say more?

9. “Do They Know It’s Christmas” by Band Aid.
It’s amazing that this song was released back in 1984 and it’s probably one of the most played holiday songs today, not to mention this song has helped raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. Singers on this track include Duran Duran, Paul Young, George Michael, Sting and Bono, just to name a few.

10. “Oh Holy Night” by Josh Groban.
His voice is simply phenomenal on this song. He starts out the song softly, but then perfects throughout the song in spots where his voice and the music both slowly crescendo.

Again, these are only 10 of my picks out of hundreds of holiday songs out there. Hopefully you enjoyed a few of them! Merry Christmas.