In the late '60s and early '70s, Baez came into her songwriting own, penning many songs (most notably "Diamonds & Rust," a nostalgic piece about her ill-fated romance with Bob Dylan, and "Sweet Sir Galahad," a song about sister Mimi Fariña's ( of Richard & Mimi Fariña fame) second marriage, and continued to meld her songcraft with topical issues. She was outspoken in her disapproval of the Vietnam war and later the CIA-backed coups in many Latin American countries.
She was also instrumental in the Civil Rights movement, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King on many occassions and being jailed for her beliefs. In 1963, her performance of "We Shall Overcome" at the Lincoln Memorial just prior to Dr. King's famous "I Have A Dream..." speech helped confirm the song as the Civil Rights anthem.
In December 1972, she traveled to Hanoi, North Vietnam, and was caught in that country's "Christmas Campaign," in which the U.S. bombed the city more times than any other during the entire war. While pregnant with her only son, Gabriel, she performed a handful of songs in the middle of the night on day one of the 1969 Woodstock festival. She is considered the "Queen of Folk" for being at the forefront of the 1960s folk revival and inspiring generations of female folksingers that followed. Over fifty years after she first began singing publicly in 1958, Joan Baez continues to tour, demonstrate in favor of human rights and nonviolence, and release albums for a world of devoted fans.
1959
Elvis Presley Blues
Joan Baez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Day that he died, day that he died
I was thinking that night about Elvis
Day that he died, day that he died
Just a country boy that combed his hair
And put on a shirt his mother made and went on the air
And he shook it like a chorus girl
And he shook it like a Harlem queen
Baby,
Like you never seen
I was thinking that night about Elvis
Day that he died, day that he died
I was thinking that night about Elvis
Day that he died, day that he died
How he took it all out of black and white
Grabbed his wand in the other hand and he held on tight
And he shook it like a hurricane
He shook it like to make it break
And he shook it like a holy roller, baby
With his soul at stake
I was thinking that night about Elvis
Day that he died, day that he died
I was thinking that night about Elvis
Day that he died, day that he died
He was all alone in a long decline
Thinking how happy John Henry was that he fell down and died
When he shook it and he rang like silver
He shook it and he shine like gold
He shook it and he beat that steam drill, baby
Well bless my soul
He shook it and he beat that steam drill, baby
Well bless my soul, what's wrong with me?
I was thinking that night about Elvis
Day that he died, day that he died
I was thinking that night about Elvis
Day that he died, day that he died
Just a country boy that combed his hair
Put on a shirt his mother made and he went on the air
And he shook it like a chorus girl
He shook it like a Harlem queen
He shook it like a midnight rambler, baby
Like he never seen
The lyrics to "Elvis Presley Blues" by Joan Baez are a tribute to the legendary musician Elvis Presley who passed away in 1977. The song is about how Elvis was just a country boy who combed his hair, put on a shirt his mother made and went on the air, but he became a sensation with his dance moves and music. The song mentions how Elvis shook his hips like a chorus girl, a Harlem queen, and a midnight rambler. The whole song is a remembrance of a great musician who brought the world together with his music.
The lyrics speak to the impact and importance of Elvis in the music industry. He was a pioneer in rock and roll and his influence can be seen in many musicians that have succeeded him. Joan Baez's song pays tribute to the musician who left an unfillable void with his untimely death. The song speaks to how Elvis was able to capture the hearts of people with his music and his unbeatable dancing style.
Line by Line Meaning
I was thinking that night about Elvis
The singer expresses how Elvis has always been on their mind and that they were thinking about him the day that he passed away.
Day that he died, day that he died
The day of Elvis' death is continually repeated, highlighting the magnitude of his passing.
Just a country boy that combed his hair
Elvis was simply a young man from the South who took care in his personal appearance.
And put on a shirt his mother made and went on the air
Elvis wore clothing made by his mother, and he performed on the radio.
And he shook it like a chorus girl
Elvis moved and danced with elegance and finesse, similar to a women's dance troupe.
And he shook it like a Harlem queen
Elvis borrowed his moves from the African-American community, shaking his hips like he was part of a drag queen show in Harlem.
He shook it like a midnight rambler, baby, like you never seen
Elvis' dancing style was revolutionary, and the way he moved was unlike anything the world had seen before.
How he took it all out of black and white
Elvis' music was a mix of African-American and white Southern styles, breaking down racial boundaries.
Grabbed his wand in the other hand and he held on tight
Elvis was a master of his craft and knew how to connect with his audience and fans.
And he shook it like a hurricane
Elvis was a force of nature with his music and dancing, as if he were unleashing a powerful storm.
He shook it like to make it break
Elvis' dancing and singing was so intense and passionate, it seemed like he was going to break himself and everything around him.
And he shook it like a holy roller, baby, with his soul at stake
Elvis' music was deeply spiritual and soulful, as if he were a religious devotee putting his all into his performance.
He was all alone in a long decline
Later in life, Elvis dealt with personal struggles, depression, and substance abuse, making him feel isolated and alone.
Thinking how happy John Henry was that he fell down and died
Elvis felt like he was in a competition with other musical legends, like the fictional character John Henry, who was said to have died after defeating a steam drill.
When he shook it and he rang like silver
Elvis' music was pure and clear, like the sound of a bell ringing.
He shook it and he shine like gold
Elvis' performances were bright and polished, like glittering gold.
He shook it and he beat that steam drill, baby, well bless my soul
Elvis' music and dancing was so powerful, it felt like he could conquer anything and everything in his way.
Well bless my soul, what's wrong with me?
The singer is in awe and deeply affected by Elvis' influence in their own life and music career.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: David Rawlings, Gillian Howard Welch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Trina Simon
Please please someone post the video where she did this song live on axis TV. She even danced! It’s fantastic and the sound quality is even better than this version, thank you so much for adding
Tolkien Study
Whoa! Please yes
Claudie Hebrard
Super même en rockeur séduisante !
Claudie Hebrard
Formidable Joan 🇨🇵🌟 trop belle en rockeurs bisous ❤️☀️🤩😍🍀
Billy Lake
oh yeah that works
Claudie Hebrard
Grandiose 🇺🇦♥️🇨🇵♥️🌟🤩🌈✨💐🇺🇦