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.
How Would You Like to Be
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little circus clown
And you could wear a smile
Instead of a frown
How would you like to be?
A little kangaroo
A-hoppin' up and down
Come on and smile a little, smile a little
Hop a little, hop a little,
Smile a little, hop a little bit with me
Come on and smile a little, smile a little
Hop a little, hop a little,
Smile a little, hop a little bit with me
How would you like to be?
A little buzzing bee
And instead of a tree
You could buzz around me
How would you like to be?
A little mocking bird
And you can sing me songs
Like I never heard
Come on and buzz a little, buzz a little
Sing a little, sing a little
Buzz a little, sing a little bit with me
Buzz, buzz, buzz a little
Do re mi a little
Buzz a little, sing a little bit with me
How would you like to be?
A little baby bear
And you can hug me tight
Any time you care
How would you like to be?
A little dancing doll
And you could dance with me
Everytime I call
The lyrics of How Would You Like to Be by Elvis Presley is a playful and cheerful invitation to various characters and creatures to spread joy and positivity. The song expresses the idea of imagination as a powerful tool that can transform oneself and the world around. Each verse offers a unique possibility of transformation to be a circus clown, a kangaroo, a buzzing bee, a mockingbird, a baby bear, or a dancing doll. The repetition of the phrase "smile a little, hop a little, buzz a little, sing a little" creates a sense of unity and harmony as if the singer wishes to connect with the listener in happy moments.
Overall, the song has a light-hearted tone with a subtle message to embrace imagination, playfulness, and kindness. Elvis Presley's soothing and lively voice adds to the beauty of the song, making it a perfect feel-good tune.
Line by Line Meaning
How would you like to be?
Elvis is asking how the listener would like to imagine themselves in different scenarios.
A little circus clown
The first scenario is being a happy circus clown.
And you could wear a smile
In this scenario, the listener would be able to smile and be content.
Instead of a frown
This is a contrast to the previous line, where the listener is currently unhappy or frowning.
A little kangaroo
The second scenario is being a bouncy kangaroo.
A-hoppin' up and down
In this scenario, the listener would be energetic and lively.
And I could hop with you
Elvis imagines being part of the listener's playful world in this scenario.
Come on and smile a little, smile a little
Elvis is encouraging the listener to smile and be happy.
Hop a little, hop a little,
Elvis continues to describe the actions of the kangaroo scenario.
Smile a little, hop a little bit with me
Elvis invites the listener to join him in experiencing this imaginary world.
A little buzzing bee
The third scenario is being a cheerful bee.
And instead of a tree
In this scenario, Elvis would be the flower that the bee visits.
You could buzz around me
The listener would be able to enjoy the delightful world of buzzing.
A little mocking bird
The fourth scenario is being a musical mockingbird.
And you can sing me songs
In this scenario, the listener would be able to provide Elvis with beautiful music.
Like I never heard
Elvis imagines the listener's songs to be original and captivating.
Come on and buzz a little, buzz a little
Elvis invites the listener to buzz like a bee.
Sing a little, sing a little
Elvis invites the listener to sing like a mockingbird.
Buzz a little, sing a little bit with me
Elvis once again invites the listener to join him in experiencing this imaginary world.
How would you like to be?
Elvis returns to the initial question, posing two new scenarios.
A little baby bear
The fifth scenario is being a cuddly baby bear.
And you can hug me tight
In this scenario, the listener would be able to provide comfort and affection to Elvis.
Any time you care
Elvis imagines the listener being there for him at all times.
A little dancing doll
The final scenario is being a dancing doll.
And you could dance with me
In this scenario, the listener would be Elvis's dance partner.
Everytime I call
Elvis imagines being able to call the listener to join in dancing at any time.
Lyrics © O/B/O CAPASSO, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BEN RALEIGH, MARK BARKAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
👑 CometMatti 👑
➡️ Text in Deutsch und Englisch!
➡️ Text in German and English!
🎶🎼🎸🎙 Since Elvis Presley's death on August 16, 1977, I've been a loyal but sometimes critical Elvis Presley fan! When Elvis Presley died in 1977 at the age of only 42, I was only 12 years old and had known little about Elvis Presley before! I currently own over 500 Elvis Presley CDs / records and a total of over 600 different Elvis Presley items (e.g. films, shows, characters, etc.)! I will continue to be an Elvis Presley fan, but occasionally I also listen to music from other singers and music groups! 🎵🎼🎸🎙
🎶🎸🎵 Seit Elvis Presleys Tod am 16. August 1977 bin ich ein treuer, aber manchmal auch kritischer Elvis Presley-Fan! Als Elvis Presley 1977 im Alter von nur 42 Jahren starb, war ich erst 12 Jahre alt und hatte vorher wenig über Elvis Presley gewusst! Ich besitze derzeit über 500 Elvis Presley-CDs / Schallplatten und insgesamt über 600 verschiedene Elvis Presley-Artikel (z. B. Filme, Shows, Charaktere usw.)! Ich werde weiterhin ein Elvis Presley-Fan sein, aber gelegentlich höre ich auch Musik von anderen Sängern und Musikgruppen! 🎸🎶🎵
👉 To my 🎼 The Elvis Presley FOREVER Fan Group❣
(all languages):
https://www.facebook.com/groups/383491762896798/
Anthua Izaba
How would you like to be?
A little circus clown
And you could wear a smile
Instead of a frown
How would you like to be?
A little kangaroo
A-hoppin' up and down
And I could hop with you
Come on and smile a little, smile a little
hop a little, hop a little,
Smile a little, hop a little bit with me
Come on and smile a little, smile a little
hop a little, hop a little,
Smile a little, hop a little bit with me
Oh ho, ha ha, a-tra la la la la la la
a ha, tra la la la la la la
How would you like to be?
A little buzzing bee
And instead of a tree
You could buzz around me
How would you like to be?
A little mocking bird
And you can sing me songs
Like I never heard
Come on and buzz a little, buzz a little
Sing a little, sing a little
Buzz a little, sing a little bit with me
Buzz, buzz, buzz a little
Do re mi a little
Buzz a little, sing a little bit with me
Oh-ho ah-ha, tra la la la la la la
Oh-ho, a-ha ,a-tra la la la la la la
How would you like to be?
A little baby bear
And you can hug me tight
Any time you care
How would you like to be?
A little dancing doll
And you could dance with me
Everytime I call
Oh-ho, tra la la la la la la
oh-ho...ah-ah...tra la la la..la.la..la
StabbyMcCutty
I had this on a 45 when I was a little girl and I played it so much it wore out. When I grew up, I sang this to my babies as a lullaby. I plan on singing it to my grandbabies too. Will always be one of my favorites ❤
Bob Dob
I think you understand, when those kids grow up and long after they gather to weep (Hank Williams lyric) they'll hear it and remember how great you were and maybe even to simple child's mind how great things were back then. It's small little things that can make people go "oh yea" and feel so great remembering the fondness of a memory it hurts. God Bless you.
Stephen Ainsworth
lovely tune
Stephen Ainsworth
rrrrrrrrr
Marizete Pessanha
muito legal essa música do elvis .
Roxy A
Elvis sang this to me in my dreams last night ♥️
thewhiterose48
the most beautiful voice ever!!!
Brittany Lawson
Elvis Presley is so awesome!! He is so handsome back then!!! True king of rock n roll!! My parents got me hooked on Elvis Presley’s music when I was a little girl! I watched Elvis movie blue Hawaii yesterday! Loved it!! 💕❤️
Peter Franks
Bring a tear to a stone, thanks Elvis
jerry jones
And we enjoy once again the king of singing timing an easiness of smoothness and charm.