The bulk of the songs originated from the stable of writers contracted to Hill and Range, the publishing company jointly owned by Presley and Colonel Tom Parker: Fred Wise, Ben Weisman, Claude Demetrius, Aaron Schroeder, Sid Tepper, and Roy C. Bennett. Conspicuous in their relatively limited contribution were Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who had come to an impasse with the Colonel during the making of the previous movie, Jailhouse Rock (1957), in which they had practically dominated the musical proceedings. Furious over mere songwriters having such easy access to Presley without going through Parker's "proper channels," the Colonel closed off their avenue to his prize client, especially since the duo had also tried to influence Presley's film direction, pitching him an idea to do a gritty adaptation of Nelson Algren's recent novel, A Walk on the Wild Side (1956), with Elia Kazan directing, and Leiber and Stoller providing the music. The Colonel put the kibosh on such notions, although echoes of the concept remained in the film, and the pair still managed to place three songs on the soundtrack, including the title track and "Trouble", arguably the film's best songs. Presley's performance of "Trouble" in the film alludes to Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley; he would return to the song for his tremendously successful 1968 television comeback special.
The songs "Hard Headed Woman" and "Don't Ask Me Why" appeared as two sides of a single on July 10, 1958, to coincide with the release of the film. "Hard Headed Woman", the A-side, and "Don't Ask Me Why" both made the pop singles chart, peaking at number one and number 25 respectively.
RCA first reissued the original 11-track album on compact disc in 1988. In 1997, RCA reissued the album again in an expanded edition with an additional seven bonus tracks including the song "Danny" recorded during the same sessions, with six alternates, four previously unreleased. In 2015, King Creole was reissued on the Follow That Dream label in a special edition that contained the original album tracks along with all available alternate takes.
King Creole
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a man in New Orleans who plays rock and roll
He's a guitar man with a great big soul
He lays down a beat like a ton of coal
He goes by the name of King Creole
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Jumping like a catfish on a pole, yeah
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Hip-shaking King Creole (King Creole, King Creole)
When the king starts to do it, it's as good as done
He holds his guitar like a tommy gun
He starts to growl from way down in his throat
He bends a string and that's all she wrote
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Jumping like a catfish on a pole, yeah
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Hip-shaking King Creole (King Creole, King Creole)
Well, he sings a song about a crawdad hole
He sings a song about a jelly roll
He sings a song about a-pork and greens
He sings some blues about New Orleans
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Jumping like a catfish on a pole yeah
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Hip-shaking King Creole (King Creole, go)
He plays something evil, then he plays something sweet
No matter how he plays, you gotta get up on your feet
When he gets a rocking fever, baby, heaven sakes
He don't stop playing 'til his guitar breaks
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Jumping like a catfish on a pole, yeah
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Hip-shaking King Creole (King Creole)
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Hip-shaking King Creole (Creole, Creole, Creole, Creole)
In Elvis Presley's song "King Creole," the lyrics introduce a rock and roll artist in New Orleans called King Creole. The song describes King Creole's style and ability to create a sound that hearkens back to the roots of the genre- using his guitar to lay down a beat like a ton of coal while growling from deep in his throat, with a great big soul that shakes the hips of his listeners. King Creole even seems to have a gun-like grip on his guitar, as he wields it with precision and passion.
The song takes listeners on a journey through King Creole's setlist, highlighting the songs he sings about the culture of the city, from a "crawdad hole" to "meat and greens." As the track progresses, Elvis's staccato delivery of "gone, gone, gone" punctuates King Creole's thunderous performance.
Although Elvis never performed the song live, the track became the title track for his fourth movie, "King Creole," enhancing the song's reputation and lasting legacy. The song is an ode to the vibrant and unique music scene of New Orleans, with Kin Creole as the city's ambassador, and is still an iconic piece of rock and roll history.
Line by Line Meaning
King Creole
Introducing the subject of the song, a rock and roll musician in New Orleans with a guitar and a big soul.
There's a man in New Orleans
Describing the location of King Creole - New Orleans.
Who plays rock and roll
Specifying King Creole's genre of music - rock and roll.
He's a guitar man
Describing King Creole's primary instrument - the guitar.
With a great big soul
Emphasizing the depth and passion in King Creole's music.
He lays down a beat
Describing King Creole's role as the rhythm-setter in the band.
Like a ton of coal
Comparing the forcefulness of King Creole's beat to a heavy weight.
He goes by the name of King Creole
Providing King Creole's stage name.
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Expressing the speed and intensity of King Creole's musical style.
Jumpin' like a catfish on a pole
Comparing King Creole's movements on stage to a lively fish.
Hip-shaking King Creole
Repeating and emphasizing King Creole's name and defining characteristic.
When the king starts to do it
Highlighting King Creole's prowess as a performer.
It's as good as done
Implying that King Creole always delivers on stage.
He holds his guitar
Describing King Creole's physicality while playing.
like a Tommy gun
Comparing the way King Creole holds his guitar to the way a gangster would hold a firearm.
He starts to growl
Describing King Creole's vocal style as aggressive and expressive.
From way down his throat
Emphasizing the depth and power of King Creole's voice.
He bends a string
Illustrating King Creole's technical expertise on the guitar.
And that's all she wrote
Suggesting that King Creole's performance is complete and impressive.
Well, he sings a song about a crawdad hole
Introducing the subject of one of King Creole's songs.
He sings a song about a jelly roll
Introducing the subject of another one of King Creole's songs.
He sings a song about meat and greens
Introducing the subject of yet another one of King Creole's songs.
He sings some blues about New Orleans
Introducing the subject of one of King Creole's songs which expresses his connection to his hometown.
Well, he plays something evil
Describing one aspect of King Creole's versatility as a musician.
Then he plays something sweet
Describing another aspect of King Creole's versatility as a musician.
No matter what he plays
Highlighting King Creole's ability to excel at any style of music.
You got to get up on your feet
Suggesting that King Creole's music is so good, it will compel listeners to dance.
When he gets the rockin' fever
Describing the intense energy and passion of King Creole's performance.
Baby, heaven sakes
Expressions of excitement and enthusiasm.
He don't stop playin'
Emphasizing King Creole's commitment to his craft.
'Till his guitar breaks
Illustrating the extent and intensity of King Creole's musical passion and dedication.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vickie Yoakum-Biggs
on Can't Help Falling in Love
Enjoy your Birthday!
ÅmïNøũ Lãmãrtĩnãã
on Jailhouse Rock
Waww
Anusit Moonsup
on Jailhouse Rock
กู.............แปลไม่ออก
Anusit Moonsup
on A Little Less Conversation
] topmost.....................