King Creole
Elvis Presley & The Jordonaires Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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.
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 Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sandy Ahmed Ragai Kelany
53 years and i am still with Elvis tip tapping and gigging to the music
pando_roblox
my uncle if a fan of elvis presely for i think 61 years
James Frost
What more could a man want? He had everything. RIP Elvis, we still love you and miss you.
Wonderfulous Industries
This man was Absolutely Beautiful! I was born in 78 but just love him! π Always will be Legendary!
Todd Holmes
How can you not tap your foot π¦Ά to this ? Incredible entertainer. π₯° Elvis
Lisa Monteiro
One of my many favourites β€
Alan Souza cruz
The king of rock N roll
Patricia Slocum
What most people fail to realize is that his music came from great black influence, and that's one of the many reasons he was so outstanding. No one had ever heard a white guy sing negro sounding songs with their kind of rythm. Elvis made a life and career out of it. He was great.
The Trance Cartel
Idk, I feel like Elvis took what Black people were walking with and ran with it, and that is why he is famous
Fkrjrbjdbb Dufbdbd
No way he made original songs and made it up by himself obviously.