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.
King Creole
Elvis Presley Lyrics
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There's a man in New Orleans who plays rock and roll
He's a guitar man with a great big soul
He lays down a beat like a ton of coal
He goes by the name of King Creole
You know he's gone, gone, gone
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Hip-shaking King Creole (King Creole, King Creole)
When the king starts to do it, it's as good as done
He holds his guitar like a tommy gun
He starts to growl from way down in his throat
He bends a string and that's all she wrote
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Jumping like a catfish on a pole, yeah
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Hip-shaking King Creole (King Creole, King Creole)
Well, he sings a song about a crawdad hole
He sings a song about a jelly roll
He sings a song about a-pork and greens
He sings some blues about New Orleans
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Jumping like a catfish on a pole yeah
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Hip-shaking King Creole (King Creole, go)
He plays something evil, then he plays something sweet
No matter how he plays, you gotta get up on your feet
When he gets a rocking fever, baby, heaven sakes
He don't stop playing 'til his guitar breaks
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Jumping like a catfish on a pole, yeah
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Hip-shaking King Creole (King Creole)
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Hip-shaking King Creole (Creole, Creole, Creole, Creole)
In Elvis Presley's song "King Creole," the lyrics introduce a rock and roll artist in New Orleans called King Creole. The song describes King Creole's style and ability to create a sound that hearkens back to the roots of the genre- using his guitar to lay down a beat like a ton of coal while growling from deep in his throat, with a great big soul that shakes the hips of his listeners. King Creole even seems to have a gun-like grip on his guitar, as he wields it with precision and passion.
The song takes listeners on a journey through King Creole's setlist, highlighting the songs he sings about the culture of the city, from a "crawdad hole" to "meat and greens." As the track progresses, Elvis's staccato delivery of "gone, gone, gone" punctuates King Creole's thunderous performance.
Although Elvis never performed the song live, the track became the title track for his fourth movie, "King Creole," enhancing the song's reputation and lasting legacy. The song is an ode to the vibrant and unique music scene of New Orleans, with Kin Creole as the city's ambassador, and is still an iconic piece of rock and roll history.
Interesting facts about the song, "King Creole":
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
King Creole
Introducing the subject of the song, a rock and roll musician in New Orleans with a guitar and a big soul.
There's a man in New Orleans
Describing the location of King Creole - New Orleans.
Who plays rock and roll
Specifying King Creole's genre of music - rock and roll.
He's a guitar man
Describing King Creole's primary instrument - the guitar.
With a great big soul
Emphasizing the depth and passion in King Creole's music.
He lays down a beat
Describing King Creole's role as the rhythm-setter in the band.
Like a ton of coal
Comparing the forcefulness of King Creole's beat to a heavy weight.
He goes by the name of King Creole
Providing King Creole's stage name.
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Expressing the speed and intensity of King Creole's musical style.
Jumpin' like a catfish on a pole
Comparing King Creole's movements on stage to a lively fish.
Hip-shaking King Creole
Repeating and emphasizing King Creole's name and defining characteristic.
When the king starts to do it
Highlighting King Creole's prowess as a performer.
It's as good as done
Implying that King Creole always delivers on stage.
He holds his guitar
Describing King Creole's physicality while playing.
like a Tommy gun
Comparing the way King Creole holds his guitar to the way a gangster would hold a firearm.
He starts to growl
Describing King Creole's vocal style as aggressive and expressive.
From way down his throat
Emphasizing the depth and power of King Creole's voice.
He bends a string
Illustrating King Creole's technical expertise on the guitar.
And that's all she wrote
Suggesting that King Creole's performance is complete and impressive.
Well, he sings a song about a crawdad hole
Introducing the subject of one of King Creole's songs.
He sings a song about a jelly roll
Introducing the subject of another one of King Creole's songs.
He sings a song about meat and greens
Introducing the subject of yet another one of King Creole's songs.
He sings some blues about New Orleans
Introducing the subject of one of King Creole's songs which expresses his connection to his hometown.
Well, he plays something evil
Describing one aspect of King Creole's versatility as a musician.
Then he plays something sweet
Describing another aspect of King Creole's versatility as a musician.
No matter what he plays
Highlighting King Creole's ability to excel at any style of music.
You got to get up on your feet
Suggesting that King Creole's music is so good, it will compel listeners to dance.
When he gets the rockin' fever
Describing the intense energy and passion of King Creole's performance.
Baby, heaven sakes
Expressions of excitement and enthusiasm.
He don't stop playin'
Emphasizing King Creole's commitment to his craft.
'Till his guitar breaks
Illustrating the extent and intensity of King Creole's musical passion and dedication.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
비정한세상
[Verse 1]
There's a man in New Orleans who plays rock and roll
He's a guitar man with a great big soul
He lays down a beat like a ton of coal
He goes by the name of King Creole
[Chorus]
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Jumping like a catfish on a pole yeah
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Hip-shaking King Creole (King Creole, go)
[Verse 2]When the king starts to do it, it's as good as done
He holds his guitar like a tommy gun
He starts to growl from way down in his throat
He bends a string and that's all she wrote
[Verse 3]Well, he sings a song about a crawdad hole
He sings a song about a jelly roll
He sings a song about a-pork and greens
He sings some blues about New Orleans
[Verse 4]He plays something evil, then he plays something sweet
No matter how he plays, you gotta get up on your feet
When he gets a rocking fever, baby, heaven sakes
He don't stop playing till his guitar breaks
Joc Mosri
There's a man in New Orleans
Who plays rock and roll
He's a guitar man
With a great big soul
He lays down a beat
Like a ton of coal
He goes by the name of King Creole
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Jumpin' like a catfish on a pole
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Hip-shaking King Creole
When the king starts to do it
It's as good as done
He holds his guitar
like a Tommy gun
He starts to growl
From way down his throat
He bends a string
And that's all she wrote
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Jumpin' like a catfish on a pole
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Hip-shaking King Creole
Well, he sings a song about a crawdad hole
He sings a song about a jelly roll
He sings a song about pork and greens
He sings some blues about New Orleans
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Jumpin' like a catfish on a pole
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Hip-shaking King Creole
Well, he plays something evil
Then he plays something sweet
No matter what he plays
You got to get up on your feet
When he gets the rockin' fever
Baby, heaven sakes
He don't stop playin'
'Till his guitar breaks
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Jumpin' like a catfish on a pole
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Hip-shaking King Creole
You know he's gone, gone, gone
Hip-shaking King Creole
Reto
One of his best movies! I love this song.❤️🙏
Saymon Bondade
Tenho só 12 anos e amo Elvis Presley prefiro Elvis do que funk Brasil aqui💚
Mara Jane
Maravilhaaaaaaaa
Felipe777
e quem gosta de funk? KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
Sara Hunter
Amazing After all these years i still love to hear him sing
TammyC
Ikr
@Elvis Presley
It brings me so much joy that people still like him today
Christa Kulikowski
For me there is nothing better than watching and enjoying Elvis' movies. Love his acting and the songs in them very much! Am 71 and I will never get tired watching them! Thank you great humble handsome Elvis!
TammyC
Amen
Lisa Cassar
I used to play air guitar and sang this when i was a kid in the 1970s. Still ROCKS this song❤🎶