Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American sin… Read Full Bio ↴Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King".

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.

Queenie Wahine's Papaya
Elvis Presley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

She sells sea shells by the seashore
But I know a girl who sells so much more

Queenie Wahine's Papaya rates higher than pineapple, pumpkin or poy
Please pick her papaya put Queenie Wahine in perfect perpetual joy
'Though some people's palates prefer pickled salads
For pudding pick popcorn peach pie
Oh Queenie's papaya you'll truly desire

When that Queenie Wahine passes by

Queenie Wahine's Papaya rates higher than pineapple, pumpkin or poy
Please pick her papaya put Queenie Wahine in perfect perpetual joy
'Though some people's palates prefer pickled salads
For pudding pick popcorn peach pie
Oh Queenie's papaya you'll truly desire
When that Queenie Wahine passes by

Queenie Wahine's Papaya rates higher than pineapple, pumpkin or poy
Please pick her papaya put Queenie Wahine in perfect perpetual joy
'Though some people's palates prefer pickled salads
For pudding pick popcorn peach pie

Oh Queenie's papaya you'll truly desire
When that Queenie Wahine passes by

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Elvis Presley's song "Queenie Wahine's Papaya" are a fun and playful ode to a woman who sells the best papayas around. The song begins with a reference to the famous tongue twister, "She sells sea shells by the seashore," but quickly moves on to Queenie Wahine and her delicious papayas. The singer expresses his admiration for Queenie's papayas, saying that they rate higher than pineapple, pumpkin, or poy, and encourages listeners to try them for themselves. He suggests that even those who prefer pickled salads for pudding will find themselves desiring Queenie's papayas when she passes by.

Line by Line Meaning

She sells sea shells by the seashore
There is a girl who sells more than just sea shells by the seashore.

Queenie Wahine's Papaya rates higher than pineapple, pumpkin or poy
Queenie Wahine's Papaya is considered more enjoyable than other fruits like pineapple, pumpkin or poy.

Please pick her papaya put Queenie Wahine in perfect perpetual joy
If you buy Queenie Wahine's Papaya, it will make her very happy.

'Though some people's palates prefer pickled salads
While some people enjoy pickled salads, others prefer different types of food.

For pudding pick popcorn peach pie
When it comes to dessert, popcorn peach pie is a great option.

Oh Queenie's papaya you'll truly desire
After trying Queenie's papaya, you will truly want more of it.

When that Queenie Wahine passes by
When Queenie Wahine is around, you should consider buying her delicious papaya.

Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC
Written by: BERNIE BAUM, BILL GIANT, FLORENCE KAYE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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