Elvis Presley’s Blues as Background Music

Elvis Presley’s bluesy voice is the perfect background music for any situation. Whether you’re working on a project or just relaxing, his music will set the perfect mood.

The Birth of Elvis Presley’s Blues

Elvis Presley’s bluesy sound and style were heavily influence by the African American community he grew up around in Memphis, Tennessee. He took what he learned from them and infused it with his own unique style, creating a new genre of music altogether. Elvis’s love for the blues was evident in his performances and recordings. Over the years, he became known as the “King of Rock and Roll” for good reason – there was simply nobody else like him.

Elvis’s bluesy sound can be heard in many of his early tracks, such as “That’s All Right” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky”. As he became more popular, Elvis began to experiment with different genres of music, but the blues always remained close to his heart. In later years, he would often return to his roots, performing tracks like “In the Ghetto” and “Blue Christmas”.

While Elvis may be gone, his influence on the world of music is still very much alive. His unique blend of styles – including country, gospel, and rhythm and blues – continues to inspire musicians all over the world.

The Rise of Elvis Presley’s Popularity

In the early 1950s, while most popular music was still firmly entrenched in the swing era, a new style of music was emerging. Called rockabilly, it blended country music, rhythm and blues, and pop. Elvis Presley was one of its pioneers. His recordings for Sam Phillips’s Sun Records—such as “That’s All Right,” “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” and “Mystery Train”—were raw and energetic, with a sound that was both sensual and rebellious.

Elvis’s sexuality was a source of both fascination and speculation. His good looks and magnetism were undeniable, but he also projected an aura of innocence that made him seem like a kid—a white kid who sang black music. This combination made him irresistible to both teenage girls and their mothers. Elvis’s popularity soared, and he soon became the biggest star in the world of rock and roll.

Elvis’s style of music was unique, but it was also part of a larger trend. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, black artists such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Ike Turner, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, and James Brown were creating a new kind of music that would soon be known as rock and roll. This music was a blend of several different styles, including rhythm and blues, gospel, country, and pop. It was characterized by its use of electric guitars, bass guitars, drums, pianos, horns, and vocals.

Elvis Presley wasn’t the only white artist who recorded this new style of music; other artists such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, Patsy Cline, Connie Francis, Brenda Lee also had hits with it. But Elvis was the most successful—and the most famous. He became known as the King of Rock and Roll.

The Influence of Elvis Presley’s Blues

When most people think of Elvis Presley, they think of rock and roll. However, Elvis’s musical roots were in the blues. The blues had a profound influence on Elvis’s music, and his interpretation of the blues was unique.

Elvis grew up listening to the blues. He was exposed to the music of legendary blues musicians such as B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and John Lee Hooker. Elvis was also influenced by the sounds of rhythm and blues (R&B) artists such as Fats Domino and Little Richard. These artists would later have a direct influence on Elvis’s own rock and roll sound.

Elvis’s style of singing was also influenced by the blues. He often adapted the vocal embellishments of the blues singers he heard to his own singing style. This can be heard in Elvis’s early recordings, such as “That’s All Right” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky.”

The blues also had an impact on the lyrics of Elvis’s songs. Many of his early songs contain lyrics that are directly inspired by the bluessuch as “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Hound Dog.” Even some of Elvis’s more famous rock and roll songs, such as “Jailhouse Rock” and “All Shook Up,” contain elements of the blues.

Elvis’s love for the blues led him to record a number of influential blues albums throughout his career, including From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis (1969), Together Again (1977), Moody Blue (1977), and Guitar Man (1981). These albums showcased Elvis’s versatility as a musician and helped to solidify his place as one of the most important figures in popular music history.

The Significance of Elvis Presley’s Blues

Elvis Presley’s recordings of blues songs are some of the most important in the history of blues music. They helped to popularize the genre and bring it to a wider audience. Elvis’s blues recordings also had a significant influence on the development of rock and roll music.

Elvis’s early recordings of blues songs, such as “That’s All Right” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” were made while he was still a teenager. These recordings helped to establish him as a rising star in the music industry. Elvis’s later recordings of blues songs, such as “Hound Dog” and “Blue Suede Shoes,” were made after he had become a successful pop star. These recordings cemented his reputation as a performer who could crossover into different genres.

Elvis’s recordings of blues songs span the course of his career, from his early days as a Sun Records artist to his later years at RCA Records. They offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of his musical style and showcase his versatility as a performer.