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.
The Lady Is A Tramp
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She likes the theater and never comes late
She never bothers with people she'd hate
That's why the lady is a tramp
Doesn't like crap games with barons and earls
Won't go to Harlem in ermine and pearls
Won't dish the dirt with the rest of the girls
That's why the lady is a tramp
Life without care
She's broke--and it's "oke"
Hates California, it's cold and it's damp
That's why the lady is a tramp
She gets too hungry to wait for dinner at eight
She loves the theater but never comes late
She'd never bother with people she'd hate
That's why the lady is a tramp
She'll have no crap games with sharpies and frauds
And she won't go to Harlem in Lincolns or Fords
And she won't dish the dirt with the rest of the broads
That's why the lady is a tramp
She loves the free, fresh wind in her hair
Life without care
She's broke--but it's "oke"
Hates California, it's so cold and so damp
That's why the lady
That's why the lady
That's why the lady is a tramp
In Elvis Presley's rendition of "The Lady Is a Tramp," the lyrics paint a vivid image of a woman who defies societal norms and expectations. The woman described in the song is independent-minded and unapologetically authentic in her approach to life. From her disdain for conforming to societal standards of dining times to her love for the theater, the lady's preferences are clearly unconventional. She values her own enjoyment and chooses not to engage with activities or people that don't align with her personal values and interests.
The lady depicted in the song is portrayed as someone who values her individuality and autonomy. She rejects the superficialities of high society, symbolized by her aversion to participating in crap games with barons and earls or wearing extravagant attire to places like Harlem. Instead, she revels in the simplicity of life, cherishing the freedom of the open air and finding joy in the absence of cares or burdens. The singer highlights her financial situation, emphasizing that despite being broke, she remains content and unaffected by material wealth.
The woman's disdain for societal expectations and her preference for a more carefree and authentic lifestyle are further exemplified in her dislike for California's climate. The mention of California being cold and damp suggests that she prefers environments that are more conducive to her free-spirited nature. Despite her unconventional choices and perceptions, the lady stands firm in her identity, unbothered by the judgments of others. She is unapologetically herself, unafraid to march to the beat of her own drum, even if it means being labeled as a "tramp" by society's standards.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Lady Is a Tramp" celebrate the spirit of individuality and nonconformity. The song praises the woman for her authenticity, independence, and rejection of societal norms, embodying a sense of liberation and self-assurance. Through vivid imagery and character descriptions, Elvis Presley's rendition captures the essence of a woman who boldly asserts her personality and values, unafraid to defy conventions and live life on her own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
She gets too hungry for dinner at eight
She can't wait until dinner at the typical time and gets hungry earlier
She likes the theater and never comes late
She enjoys the theater and is always punctual
She never bothers with people she'd hate
She avoids interacting with individuals she dislikes
That's why the lady is a tramp
This is the reason why she is seen as unconventional or rebellious
Doesn't like crap games with barons and earls
She doesn't enjoy playing deceitful or manipulative games with wealthy individuals
Won't go to Harlem in ermine and pearls
She refuses to visit a place like Harlem in expensive clothing and accessories
Won't dish the dirt with the rest of the girls
She won't engage in gossip or share secrets with other women
She likes the free, fresh wind in her hair
She enjoys the feeling of unrestricted freedom, with the wind blowing through her hair
Life without care
She lives her life without worrying or stressing about little things
She's broke--and it's 'oke'
She has little money, but she's okay with it and doesn't let it affect her happiness
Hates California, it's cold and it's damp
She dislikes California because of its chilly and damp weather
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alexandreseynaeve8251
Since I'm European. I've got to admit...honestly : America did provide the world with the best singers (ever).
@jackspry9736
RIP Frank Sinatra (December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998), aged 82
And
RIP Ella Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), aged 79
You both will be remembered as legends.
@tomlaud
No crazy sets, no wind machines, no pyrotechnics, no back up dancers….just pure talent.
@MarCapa-ed5uv
No one half naked lol
@IgnoranceOfLife
hi, you are so right tbh, i completekt agree with your train of thought on this one tbh cvhoo choo thbe train has kleft thge station and it aint cvomingn bCK BABAY AND NO WAY ITS COINGBBA CJK OBA BY TBHJ
@paulmaes6054
Who could hold a candle to Ella...one of the few celebrities ..I asked for an autograph I was a star struck room service busboy. She snarled a little bit me her autograph. I gave the autograph to a man who was a dancer who reminded me of Fred Astaire ..... The Legendary Ella......
@daking589
Ella is sheer perfection. Every vocal choice she makes is always a stunning surprise.
@rosie8126
Ella was and still is the Queen of Jazz. The quality of sound, the pearls given to the mere mortals is a joy to behold that will last a lifetime. Glorious.
@ElizabethOpondo
“Ella Fitzgerald is the only performer with whom I’ve ever worked who made me nervous. Because I try to work up to what she does. You know, try to pull myself up to that height, because I believe she is the greatest popular singer in the world, barring none—male or female.” —Frank Sinatra
@nhatle4291
That's why she was such a tramp for him.