Dear 53310761
You might wonder what the hell this song is about, until you hear a certain name mentioned past the halfway mark. Even then, you have to know your pop music history to figure it out.
Comments
It has been said that his stint in the U.S. Army stalled his career. I think that it didn't help that he made all those insipid movies.
Posted by KDP on 06/17/15 at 09:20 AM
Back when Elvis and a whole generation of teenagers were "off to war" he'd've killed his career had he NOT gone. Only a$$holes like Hanoi Jane were blaming the teenagers.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 06/17/15 at 10:00 AM
Actually the Army probably shortened his life. Elvis was living his up-all-night lifestyle while the Army wanted him working nine-to-five for them. One of the officers introduced him to prescription meds, to which he was addicted for the rest of his life.
Posted by Phred22 on 06/17/15 at 03:48 PM
Speaking of insipid, those vocals!!!
Posted by ges on 06/17/15 at 10:00 PM
From the number in the title, I first thought, it's to a prisoner; which, with Paul saying, "certain name mentioned," I was thinking, what, somebody's love song to Charles Manson or something?
Then, from the lyrics, I got to "barracks," which changed the prison to military.
Then I got "gave up your guitar for a gun," and there was no question.
Now, musically... anyone else notice the similarity between the basic melody and the Siamese Cats song from Lady and the Tramp? The bridge changes were sweet, sounded like something Harry Nilsson wrote for Olive Oyl in the Popeye movie.
And then, as ges said, those vocals!!
And, "...know your pop music history"? Yeah, it's easier to know when you lived it. wheeze
Wikipedia lists this on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_about_or_referencing_Elvis_Presley as Threeteens "with Duane Eddy"
But, Google "threeteens" and whattaya get?
Three teens injured in single-vehicle crash in Troutville
Three teens arrested in alleged burglary attempt
Three teens arrested for raping 16-year-old girl in woods of ...
Three teens charged in BB shooting spree aimed at St. Peters ...
Three teens charged in Havre de Grace fire
Flood water sweeps three teens away near McAllister Park
Obviously, this vocal group came to a bad end.
Then, from the lyrics, I got to "barracks," which changed the prison to military.
Then I got "gave up your guitar for a gun," and there was no question.
Now, musically... anyone else notice the similarity between the basic melody and the Siamese Cats song from Lady and the Tramp? The bridge changes were sweet, sounded like something Harry Nilsson wrote for Olive Oyl in the Popeye movie.
And then, as ges said, those vocals!!
And, "...know your pop music history"? Yeah, it's easier to know when you lived it. wheeze
Wikipedia lists this on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_about_or_referencing_Elvis_Presley as Threeteens "with Duane Eddy"
But, Google "threeteens" and whattaya get?
Three teens injured in single-vehicle crash in Troutville
Three teens arrested in alleged burglary attempt
Three teens arrested for raping 16-year-old girl in woods of ...
Three teens charged in BB shooting spree aimed at St. Peters ...
Three teens charged in Havre de Grace fire
Flood water sweeps three teens away near McAllister Park
Obviously, this vocal group came to a bad end.
Posted by mindful webworker on 06/18/15 at 12:18 AM
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Category: Celebrities | Music | 1950s | Armed Forces