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 Walls Have Ears
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every time you stamp, throw a lamp, and every cup and dish you break
But they can't hear a kiss or two arms that hold you tight
So come on baby, don't fight tonight
The walls have ears, better think before you fling that shoe
If you part my hair with a chair, they'll spread the news to Timbuktu
But they can't hear a kiss or two arms that hold you tight
So come on baby, don't fight tonight
Jets can fly, fast and high, rockets can go even faster
But they can't catch or even match sound traveling through plaster
The walls have ears, ears that hear each little sound you make
Every time you stamp, throw a lamp, and every cup and dish you break
But they can't hear a kiss or two arms that hold you tight
So come on baby, don't fight tonight
Just dim the light
Don't fight tonight
The lyrics of Elvis Presley's song The Walls Have Ears suggest that a couple should be careful with their actions as the walls could hear them. The first verse explains how every little sound made can be heard by the walls. It warns the couple to be careful with their movements, or it could travel as far as Timbuktu. However, the song also suggests that the walls cannot hear the positive actions, such as a kiss or two arms holding tight. The chorus encourages the couple not to fight, and to dim the lights, suggesting to create a more romantic environment.
The second verse of the song is fascinating, as it describes some inventions of that time. Jets and rockets were a new and fascinating invention when the song was released, but even they could not match the sound traveling through the plaster. It suggests that the walls could hear everything, and therefore one should be very careful with what they say or do. The song's final verses reiterate the warnings and the encouragement to love and not fight.
Line by Line Meaning
The walls have ears, ears that hear each little sound you make
Be mindful of your actions as the walls are keen listeners, capturing even the slightest noise you create.
Every time you stamp, throw a lamp, and every cup and dish you break
Your clumsy actions are being recorded by the walls - each time you stomp or accidentally break something, they take note.
But they can't hear a kiss or two arms that hold you tight
Despite their sharp hearing, the walls can't pick up on the tender moments that involve physical touch, such as an embrace or a kiss.
So come on baby, don't fight tonight
Given that the walls are privy to all that you do, let's avoid any arguments and just spend time together peacefully.
The walls have ears, better think before you fling that shoe
Be cautious before throwing any object as the walls will know exactly what you did - whether it's a shoe, a vase or any other item.
If you part my hair with a chair, they'll spread the news to Timbuktu
Even if you accidentally cause any harm, such as hitting someone's head with a chair, the walls will pass on the information to others.
Jets can fly, fast and high, rockets can go even faster
While planes and rockets can travel at great speeds, they still can't compare to the speed at which sound travels through walls.
But they can't catch or even match sound traveling through plaster
Regardless of how fast technology advances, it won't be able to replicate or catch up to the speed at which sounds can travel through walls.
Just dim the light
Finally, it's time to relax and lessen any chances of causing further noise - by dimming the light, we can create a peaceful environment.
Don't fight tonight
Once again, let's avoid any quarrels and enjoy some quality time without worrying about the walls listening in.
Lyrics © RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: TEPPER BENNETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
n00se
The walls have ears, ears that hear each little sound you make
Every time you stamp, throw a lamp, and every cup and dish you break
But they can't hear a kiss or two arms that hold you tight
So come on baby, don't fight tonight
The walls have ears, better think before you fling that shoe
If you part my hair with a chair, they'll spread the news to Timbuktu
But they can't hear a kiss or two arms that hold you tight
So come on baby, don't fight tonight
Jets can fly fast and high, rockets can go even faster
But they can't catch or even match sound traveling through plaster
The walls have ears, ears that hear each little sound you make
Every time you stamp, throw a lamp, and every cup and dish you break
But they can't hear a kiss or two arms that hold you tight
So come on baby, don't fight tonight
Just dim the light
Don't fight tonight
Maynard Smith
This about to blow up thanks to jre
Jon Gilman
That’s why I’m here lol thank you joe and Theo
Craigy Gerrard
Me too..
Tiffany Cheong
@Rob Miller Yes. We're all here to see if he's really the King of Hard Rock music or not lol 😜😉 and so are you as well since you're admitting that's why you're here lol 😜😉
Mike Smith
You say jre. "Joe rogan Whats the E stand for sir? You mean jrp??
Jorge
😂 the fact You can see when she first felt it
Don’tForgetToLike
King of rock hard.
Don’tForgetToLike
Heard he went face first into a door right before the scene too. His head was throbbing.
TheeLovePanda
had to think long and hard about this one
Doc Holladay
You are being hard-on him