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.
Also Sprach Zarathustra/An American Trilogy
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
His truth is marching on
His truth is marching on
Woo, thank you
Thank you, you're fantastic, thank you very much
Elvis Presley's "An American Trilogy" is a medley of three iconic songs that explores the history of the United States of America. The lyrics of "Glory, glory, hallelujah" come from the Civil War song "Battle Hymn of the Republic," which was written in 1861 by Julia Ward Howe. The lines "His truth is marching on" refers to the march of Union soldiers with the belief that they were fighting for what is right and just.
Elvis Presley's rendition of "An American Trilogy" is often viewed as his interpretation of racial tensions in the United States during the 1970s, with the three songs representing different points of view. The first song, "Dixie," represents the Southern pride, while "Battle Hymn of the Republic" represents a Northern perspective. The final song is a spiritual called "All My Trials," which is sung from the perspective of a black slave in the American South.
The repeating refrain of "His truth is marching on" emphasizes the underlying message of unity and perseverance, as the nation struggles to navigate the complexities of its past and present. Elvis Presley's soaring vocals, coupled with the powerful lyrics, make "An American Trilogy" a timeless masterpiece that celebrates the diversity and resilience of the American people.
Line by Line Meaning
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Praise and honor to the Almighty above
His truth is marching on
The teachings of the divine are still relevant and spreading
His truth is marching on
The values and principles upheld by the Almighty remain steadfast and everlasting
Woo, thank you
Expressing gratitude and appreciation
Thank you, you're fantastic, thank you very much
Acknowledging the greatness and excellence of the audience and expressing gratitude again
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Michael E. Renzi, Richard Strauss
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MikeyJMJ
This was such a curveball by Baz. Nobody was expecting this as the opening scene.
It felt like a small Elvis concert before the movie really started. Awesome
@soundwavesuperior28
I couldn’t stop smiling when I saw him performing at the start of the movie. Nearly put a tear in my eye. Couldn’t stop smiling the entire time lol
@kennethterry8196
It Was Just EPIC!!! Had Goosebumps throughout and Chills watching it.
@pct7620
IKR?
Who would've thought Elvis' most epic song would be the opening of the film.
@Mister_Matt_X
Hearing those horns and drums the first time I smiled like a little kid and was pumped for an epic ride of a movie!
But after the music was cut and changed to the Colonel I was like “What?” after seeing those slot machines and other signs from Sin City and turned at the Colonels bed in the hospital in my mind I was like “I think we are getting somewhere now and that’s where we start the story... Let’s begin...” or something like that effect...
@revelare_xvii6269
This legit sounds like the opening sequence to a live concert.
@burntbacon7995
It was in 1972.
@mrflyingcheesychips
@Burnt Bacon haha
@beatlesfan-ej5rz
@Burnt Bacon *73
@soundwavesuperior28
@beatlesfan2021 no, 1972