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.
Beach Boy Blues
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a poor hawaiian beach boy
A long way from the beach
'cause someone shoved his face against my hand
Now I'm a kissing cousin to a ripe pineapple
I'm in the can
I was minding my own business
I swear I'll never touch that stuff again
Just like a pig before he gave his all that aluhau
I'm in the pen
Got those beach boy blues
Don't the time go slow
Lonely beach boy blues
Only 30 day's and 90 years to go
I want a taste of honey
From my wahini's lips
I want to be her ever loving man
But I'm a kissing cousin to a ripe pineapple
I'm in the can
But I'm a kissing cousin to a ripe pineapple
I'm in the can
The lyrics to Elvis Presley's song Beach Boy Blues elucidate the story of a Hawaiian beach boy who is no longer at the beach because he was falsely accused of a crime he didn't commit - someone forced his face onto their hand. The singer has been incarcerated and is now a "kissing cousin to a ripe pineapple" trapped in a cell making him 'pineapple' the prison slang for a sentenced prisoner.
In the second stanza of the song, he recounts drinking "daddy's juice" and is remorseful as he swore never to touch it again. The regretful simile comparing himself to "a pig before he gave his all that aluhau" refers to the traditional Hawaiian celebration, which features a roast pig, and how foolish he feels for drinking too much alcohol. As it happens, he's currently 'doing time' which makes him feel even more foolish.
In the final stanza, the singer laments his situation that as much as he wants to be with his beloved, his current residence in the jail has made him a "kissing cousin to a ripe pineapple." This line means he's deemed undesirable to be around, as most people don't feel inclined to get close to a pineapple - a prickly fruit and given that he's in prison and can't be with the one he loves, he feels the same way.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a poor hawaiian beach boy
I am a young man from Hawaii who loves the beach and enjoys the simple island lifestyle.
A long way from the beach
Even though I love the beach, I find myself far away from it and longing to be back in its salty embrace.
'cause someone shoved his face against my hand
I got into a physical altercation with someone, and my face came into contact with their hand, leaving me feeling violated and angry.
Now I'm a kissing cousin to a ripe pineapple
As a result of the altercation, I am now in prison and being forced to engage in close physical contact, similar to the way that a cousin might kiss a ripe pineapple.
I'm in the can
I am currently incarcerated.
I was minding my own business
I was not causing any trouble or bothering anyone.
But drinking daddy's juice
I made the mistake of drinking alcohol that belonged to my father, which led to my current predicament.
I swear I'll never touch that stuff again
I have learned my lesson and will refrain from consuming alcohol in the future.
Just like a pig before he gave his all that aluhau
I am currently feeling defeated and humiliated, similar to the way a pig might feel after a feast.
I'm in the pen
I am currently incarcerated in a prison, or 'penitentiary.'
Got those beach boy blues
I am feeling depressed and homesick, missing the happy, carefree times I used to enjoy on the beach.
Don't the time go slow
In prison, time seems to pass by much more slowly than it did outside of it.
Lonely beach boy blues
I am feeling isolated and alone, pining for the company of friends and loved ones back home.
Only 30 days and 90 years to go
I have a long sentence ahead of me, with just a few short weeks behind bars so far and many more years of confinement to come.
I want a taste of honey
I long for the sweet, loving embrace of my partner, or perhaps just a tangible reminder of them, in the form of a kiss or intimate moment.
From my wahini's lips
My 'wahini' is my partner, and I crave their affection and attention above all else.
I want to be her ever loving man
I desire to be seen as a dependable, loving partner to my significant other.
But I'm a kissing cousin to a ripe pineapple
Unfortunately, I am currently incarcerated and forced to engage in close contact with other prisoners, just like a cousin might kiss a ripe pineapple.
I'm in the can
I am still incarcerated and serving out my sentence.
Lyrics © RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: BENNETT TEPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ash Lee
“I'm a poor Hawaiian beach boy
A long way from the beach
'Cause someone shoved his face against my hand
Now I'm a kissing cousin to a ripe pineapple
I'm in the can
I was minding my own business
But drinking daddy's juice
Just like a pig before he gave his all at that aluhau
I'm in the pen
Got those beach boy blues
Don't the time go slow
Lonely beach boy blues
Only 30 days and 90 years to go
I want a taste of honey
From my wahine's lips 🧍🏻♂️
I want to be her ever loving man
But I'm a kissing cousin to a ripe pineapple
I'm in the can”
Argie Moshbangers
I'm a poor Hawaiian beach boy
A long way from the beach
'Cause someone shoved his face against my hand
Now I'm a kissing cousin to a ripe pineapple
I'm in the can
I was minding my own business
But drinking daddy's juice
I swear I'll never touch that stuff again
Just like a pig before he gave his all at that aluhau
I'm in the pen
Got those beach boy blues
Don't the time go slow
Lonely beach boy blues
Only 30 days and 90 years to go
I want a taste of honey
From my wahine's lips
I want to be her ever loving man
But I'm a kissing cousin to a ripe pineapple
I'm in the can
But I'm a kissing cousin to a ripe pineapple
I'm in the can.
Soren the Kirin
“You guys sing beautiful! I hope you get life with me!”
My favorite line in the whole movie
ginny white
I wondered what he said
RandomBlake
I love this movie with all my heart Elvis is my favorite singer of all time
Ty Larose
first time i watched this movie sometime last year, i fell head over heels in love with it. such a beautiful, amazing, and perfect masterpiece. thank you for creating this movie :)💕
J.D. Wolf
My mother was a huge Elvis fan (a stark contrast to her Southern Baptist\Gothic persona) and had all his movie soundtracks on vinyl. It took me awhile, but I am blessed to have grown up in a household with movie and music aficionados for parents. Thanks for posting this gem.
Frances Roma
Love this man with my whole heart🥺❤😍😘
Lorraine Smallman
Absolutely gorgeous love this movie and this song. Blinking gourgous ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
woodstock
The greatest Elvis ❣️
ffionthedog
I absolutely love this film and this is my favourite from the film 🏴
Diane Fiske-Foy
From one of the best Elvis movies “Blue Hawaii”.