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.
G. I. Blues
Elvis Presley Lyrics
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with a view of the beautiful Rhine
They give us a room
with a view of the beautiful Rhine
Gimme a muddy old creek
in Texas any old time
I've got those hup, two, three, four
From my G.I. hair to the heels of my G.I. shoes
And if I don't go stateside soon
I'm gonna blow my fuse
We get hasenpfeffer
and black pumpernickel for chow
We get hasenpfeffer
and black pumpernickel for chow
I'd blow my next month's pay
for a slice of Texas cow
We'd like to be heroes,
but all we do here is march
We'd like to be heroes,
but all we do here is march
And they don't give the Purple Heart
for a fallen arch
I've got those hup, two, three, four
occupation G.I. Blues
From my G.I. hair to the heels of my G.I. shoes
And if I don't go stateside soon
I'm gonna blow my fuse
The frauleins are pretty as flowers
But we can't make a pass
The frauleins are pretty as flowers
But we can't make a pass
Cause they're all wearin' signs saying:
"Keepen sie off the grass"
I've got those hup, two, three, four
occupation G.I. Blues
From my G.I. hair to the heels of my G.I. shoes
And if I don't go stateside soon
I'm gonna blow my fuse
In Elvis Presley's song "G.I. Blues," the singer laments his deployment in Germany during the U.S. military occupation following World War II. The lyrics describe the beautiful view of the Rhine River from his barracks window, but the singer longs for a simpler life in his native Texas. The military rations of hasenpfeffer and black pumpernickel fail to satisfy his cravings for American cuisine, and instead, he yearns for a slice of Texas cow, even if it means spending his next month's pay. He also wishes to be a hero, but all they do in Germany is march, and his fallen arches will not earn him a Purple Heart. Even the pretty frauleins cannot bring him joy because of their strict rules, which prevent him from making a pass.
Elvis Presley's "G.I. Blues" provides detailed insight into the life of an American soldier during the U.S. occupation of Germany. The song captures the soldiers' longing for home and their frustrations with the restrictions of military life. However, the catchy beat of the song masks the underlying complaint, giving the song a lighthearted feel. Through these lyrics, Elvis effectively represents the common experience of soldiers serving in foreign territory, feeling homesick, and yearning for a better life.
Line by Line Meaning
They give us a room
with a view of the beautiful Rhine
We're given a room with a view of the Rhine River which is scenic and picturesque.
Gimme a muddy old creek
in Texas any old time
I would prefer a dirty creek in Texas rather than the Rhine River view.
I've got those hup, two, three, four
occupation G.I. Blues
I'm feeling tired and bored of being a G.I. marching through the occupation.
From my G.I. hair to the heels of my G.I. shoes
Everything about me is a G.I., even the hair and the shoes.
And if I don't go stateside soon
I'm gonna blow my fuse
If I'm not sent back to America soon, I'm going to lose my mind.
We get hasenpfeffer
and black pumpernickel for chow
Our meals consist of rabbit and dark bread, hasenpfeffer and black pumpernickel.
I'd blow my next month's pay
for a slice of Texas cow
I would give away my next month's payment just for a slice of beef from Texas.
We'd like to be heroes,
but all we do here is march
Even though we wish to be heroic, our occupation requires us to march.
And they don't give the Purple Heart
for a fallen arch
We can't even get a medal for a fallen arch in our foot.
The frauleins are pretty as flowers
But we can't make a pass
The German women are beautiful but we cannot make advances towards them due to legal restrictions.
Cause they're all wearin' signs saying:
"Keepen sie off the grass"
The women are wearing signs that prohibit us from flirting with them.
I've got those hup, two, three, four
occupation G.I. Blues
I'm feeling tired of the occupation and the constant marching.
From my G.I. hair to the heels of my G.I. shoes
Everything about me symbolizes the military, even my hair and shoes.
And if I don't go stateside soon
I'm gonna blow my fuse
If I'm not sent back to America soon, I'm going to lose my mind.
Lyrics © RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: ROY C. BENNETT, SID TEPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joanne26
Hello from England
I was 12 when ELVIS died. He WAS and STILL is my HERO.
ELVIS as we know got so FED UP with the films as they were becoming the "SAME OLD STORYLINES" but they made MONEY because the FANS were paying to go and see them. Such different times and different people and watching some of these videos it makes me think of the time that has passed since - 55 + years.
EVERY song from EVERY film is my FAVOURITE. ELVIS could sing a Nursery Rhyme and i would love it.
It was just the way he was - A PHENOMENON - he had bucket loads of CHARISMA
EVERY person who saw the films would come out of the cinema HAPPY. All ELVIS wanted to do was make people HAPPY.
@calderjack7818
This isn't a once in a generation artist, he's once in a millennium!!
@georgiakritikos4955
THEY DEFINEETLY USED elvis! 100% LABELED THE KING!
@lynnelovett8999
Elvis fans miss you Elvis. Happy 88th Birthday. RIP.
@Fred-wy4ix
We played this during my days in The United States Army back in the 70:s.
Never got tired of it.
@rogerjetters2269
I love the movie G I BLUES. And I loved Elvis Presley then now and forever. Sincerely, Karen Jetters ❤️
@christakulikowski7567
Elvis - the most handsome, loveable soldier with that GOLDEN VOICE and wonderful to see him moving to the music! I LOVE every movie of him - they are such good entertainment - just because of him, that's for sure! Am 71 and still love him tremendously. Grateful forever to him for every song he produced. They make me happy and lift me up each day.
@user-gd9ot8bc2o
А родилась в России.. В 1966году!!!и сейчас.. В 2023году..Яего Абожаю!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@dianeleone1634
Distant memories. My brother born in the late 40's and me, mid 50's.. He would belt out Elvis songs in the shower. Wear his hair slicked back, play the piano to Elvis tunes.. All his buddies too. Then Vietnam, then marriage and the style changed but forever in our hearts. Elvis💕💕💕
@priestessthea
That is so very well described and poignant. 🙏
@user-ue4gm4ib6b
Обожаю песни и танцы Элвиса Пресли ! Много десятилетий он радует своим творчеством миллионы людей , котопых восхищает истинный талант Короля рок-н- ролла Элвиса Пресли ! Спасибо каналу и Ютубу ! ❤❤❤