Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American sin… Read Full Bio ↴Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King".

Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, with his family when he was 13 years old. His music career began there in 1954, recording at Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips, who wanted to bring the sound of African American music to a wider audience. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was a pioneer of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country music and rhythm and blues. In 1955, drummer D. J. Fontana joined to complete the lineup of Presley's classic quartet and RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who would manage the singer for more than two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", was released in January 1956 and became a number one hit in the United States. With a series of successful network television appearances and chart-topping records, he became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race relations, made him enormously popular—and controversial.

In November 1956, Presley made his film debut in Love Me Tender. Drafted into military service in 1958, Presley relaunched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work. He held few concerts however, and guided by Parker, proceeded to devote much of the 1960s to making Hollywood movies and soundtrack albums, most of them critically derided. In 1968, following a seven-year break from live performances, he returned to the stage in the acclaimed television comeback special Elvis, which led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of highly profitable tours. In 1973, Presley gave the first concert by a solo artist to be broadcast around the world, Aloha from Hawaii. Years of prescription drug abuse severely compromised his health, and he died suddenly in 1977 at his Graceland estate, just 42 years of age.

Presley is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century. Commercially successful in many genres, including pop, country, blues, and gospel, he is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music. He won three competitive Grammys, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.

Adam and Evil
Elvis Presley Lyrics

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Now Adam and Evil, they go hand in hand
Eve taught him sin, that's the way it all began
But every time you kiss me, my heart pounds like a drum
So trouble is a woman, trouble here I come

I'm lonely like Adam, you're evil like Eve
I shouldn't take forbidden fruit 'cause I believe
I'll be heading straight for heartache

I should cut loose and run
But if loving you means heartache
Heartache, here I come

You're not the angel that I dreamed about
But you're the devil I don't want to live without
A woman's a woman, a man is a man
I can't be free I'm just putty in your hands
Who cares about tomorrow, I need your love tonight

And even if you're evil, baby hold me tight (Hold me tight)

You're not the angel that I dreamed about
But you're the devil I don't want to live without
A woman's a woman, a man is a man
I can't be free I'm just putty in your hands
Who cares about tomorrow, I need your love tonight

And baby if you're evil, baby hold me tight (Hold me tight)
Hold me tight (Hold me tight)

Hold me tight (Hold me tight)
Hold me tight (Hold me tight)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Elvis Presley's song "Adam and Evil" appear to be drawing on the biblical story of Adam and Eve, but updated for a modern context. The song speaks to the idea that men and women are inherently linked in their vices and sins, drawing on the idea that Eve was the "temptress" who led Adam astray. The singer is portrayed as a man who knows that the woman he is with is trouble, but is nevertheless drawn to her because she makes his heart race. He seems to realize that getting involved with her will inevitably lead to heartache, but he can't resist the temptation.

The lyrics play with the idea of good and evil, suggesting that the singer's love interest is not the angel he once imagined, but rather a devilish figure that he can't live without. The song also touches on issues of gender and power dynamics, with the lyric "I can't be free I'm just putty in your hands" suggesting that the woman holds more power in the relationship. Overall, the song seems to be a cautionary tale about the dangers of succumbing to temptation and desire, warning that even if something feels good in the moment, it can ultimately lead to pain and heartache.

Line by Line Meaning

Now Adam and Evil, they go hand in hand
Adam's temptation by Eve led to the origin of evil and from then on, sin and temptation have always been interlinked.

Eve taught him sin, that's the way it all began
Eve playing with the forbidden fruit was the starting point of sin and all evil in the world.

But every time you kiss me, my heart pounds like a drum
Despite knowing the consequences of loving someone who is not right for you, the rush of emotions make it hard to resist.

So trouble is a woman, trouble here I come
Knowing that the person you love can bring trouble, still choosing to pursue the relationship.

I'm lonely like Adam, you're evil like Eve
Feeling alone and vulnerable like Adam, getting attracted to someone who can potentially harm, just like Eve did.

I shouldn't take forbidden fruit 'cause I believe
Knowing that giving into temptation can bring about negative consequences but attracted towards it anyway.

I'll be heading straight for heartache
Giving in to temptation and ignoring the warning signs, knowing that it can lead to heartache.

I should cut loose and run
Realizing that sometimes it's better to end things before they start, but the emotions make it hard to do so.

But if loving you means heartache
Despite knowing the risk of heartache, still being willing to pursue the relationship.

Heartache, here I come
Expecting and preparing for the negative consequences of the actions being taken.

You're not the angel that I dreamed about
Realizing that the person you love is not perfect, but still being attracted to them.

But you're the devil I don't want to live without
Despite their negative qualities, still being willing to be with them because they make life better.

A woman's a woman, a man is a man
Recognizing gender differences but still being willing to pursue the relationship.

I can't be free I'm just putty in your hands
Despite knowing that the other person has power over them, still being unable to resist them.

Who cares about tomorrow, I need your love tonight
Ignoring the potential consequences of the actions being taken, and focusing on the present moment and the feeling of love.

And even if you're evil, baby hold me tight (Hold me tight)
Despite knowing that the other person can bring trouble, still being willing to be close to them because of the intensity of their emotions.

Hold me tight (Hold me tight)
Emphasizing the desire to be physically and emotionally close to the person even if it might not be the right choice.

Hold me tight (Hold me tight)
Reiterating the desire for the other person to hold them tight despite the potential negative consequences.

Hold me tight (Hold me tight)
Emphasizing the need for physical and emotional closeness to the other person, despite the potential dangers of doing so.

Hold me tight (Hold me tight)
Reiterating the desire to be held tightly, despite the risks involved.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., NADEL MUSIC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: FRED WISE, RANDY STARR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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