Friday, August 10, 2012

Talking About Elvis

Some friends and I were having great ice cream at a little shop, and there on the wall was a picture of Elvis Presley.  A story of a chance encounter came out and a discussion ensued.

The first time I saw Elvis was on the Ed  Sullivan Show.  I was a young girl.  My sisters and I weren't impressed.  I was not a big fan.  I might have gone to one of his movies.  I know that I did enjoy a lot of his music, mostly the ballads.

Later, when I was an adult I remember voting for the early Elvis stamp instead of the one with the white jumpsuit.  That was never my era.

Over the years, I heard more and enjoyed more of his music.  When we went to Nashville a few years ago, we saw a performer who did most of the big songs from all  phases of his career.  He wore the different era outfits.  What a great show. If I weren't a fan before then, I became one that night. I got an Elvis Inspirational C.D.  Some of the songs I love on it are: If I Can Dream, Amazing Grace, You'll Never Walk Alone, The Impossible Dream, and Danny Boy.  Danny Boy is one of my all-time favorite songs.  He does it so well and it has a second verse that I had never heard before.  Every time I play that song, tears come to my eyes.

Shakespeare says in Julius Caesar, "The evil that men do live after them; the good is oft interred with their bones."  In Elvis' case, I think it is just the opposite.  There were a lot of things not to like, but because of his music, we have much good to remember him by.  That's pretty much the consensus of our little discussion at the ice cream shop.  As time goes by, those ballads become more and more sweet.  I would love to be remembered for any good I have done.  To further tweak Shakespeare a bit, "so let it be with me."

5 comments:

  1. I was not an Elvis fan when I was young either. I did watch some of his movies :)

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  2. I'm not a huge Elvis fan, but there are a few songs that stand out to me too.

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  3. I'm not an Elvis fan at all, but I do remember his first appearance on Ed Sullivan. (Wow, I'm dating myself here!)

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  4. There's always something we can learn from someone's life, isn't there? He surely made an impact in many ways. I like your paraphrase of Shakespeare. :)

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  5. I have never been a huge Elvis fan either, but there are certain songs of his I do like. I haven't heard his inspirational CD, though. Maybe I'll check it out!

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