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.

Shake Rattle and Roll
Elvis Presley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well get out of that bed, wash your face and hands
Get out of that bed, wash your face and hands
Well get in that kitchen
Make some noise with the pots and pans

I believe it to my soul you're the devil in nylon hose
I believe it to my soul you're the devil in nylon hose
For the harder I work the faster my money goes

Well I said shake, rattle and roll

I said shake rattle and roll
I said shake, rattle and roll
I said shake rattle and roll
Well you won't do right
To save your doggone soul
Shake rattle and roll

I'm like the one-eyed cat peeping in a seafood store
I'm like the one-eyed cat peeping in a seafood store
Well I can look at you tell you ain't no child no more
I believe you're doing me wrong and now I know
I believe you're doing me wrong and now I know
'Cause the harder I work the faster my money goes

Well I said shake, rattle and roll
I said shake rattle and roll
I said shake, rattle and roll
I said shake rattle and roll
Well you won't do right
To save your doggone soul
Play it again!

I went over the hill, way down underneath
I went over the hill, way down underneath
You make me roll my eyes
And then you make me grit my teeth

Well I said shake, rattle and roll
I said shake rattle and roll
I said shake, rattle and roll
I said shake rattle and roll

Well you won't do right
To save your doggone soul

Overall Meaning

The song "Shake rattle and roll" by Elvis Presley is an upbeat song about the joys of making noise and having a good time. The lyrics encourage the listener to get out of bed, wash their face and hands, and make some noise in the kitchen with the pots and pans. The song then takes on a slightly more sinister tone, with the singer painting a picture of a seductive woman, who he believes is the devil in nylon hose. He accuses her of taking all his money, no matter how hard he works. In the final verse, the singer describes himself as a one-eyed cat peeping in a seafood store, implying that he is always wanting something he can't have. Despite all these troubles, the song remains upbeat, with the chorus encouraging listeners to "shake, rattle, and roll" even when things aren't going their way.

Line by Line Meaning

Well get out of that bed, wash your face and hands
Wake up and start your day by taking care of yourself

Well get in that kitchen Make some noise with the pots and pans
Cook a meal and enjoy the sound of clanging pots and pans

I believe it to my soul you're the devil in nylon hose For the harder I work the faster my money goes
I have a strong feeling that you are an embodiment of temptation and luxury, which makes it harder for me to save money

Well I said shake, rattle and roll
Let's get moving and dancing

Well you won't do right To save your doggone soul
You are not behaving properly and not improving your life

I'm like the one-eyed cat peeping in a seafood store Well I can look at you tell you ain't no child no more
I am like a curious observer, and I can see that you have grown up and are not naive anymore

I believe you're doing me wrong and now I know 'Cause the harder I work the faster my money goes
I believe you are mistreating me, and my hard work is not enough to keep up with your extravagant lifestyle

Shake Rattle and RollElvis Presley Lyrics

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Shake Rattle and Roll
Elvis Presley Lyrics