Phair's 1993 debut studio album, Exile in Guyville, was released to acclaim; it has been ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Phair followed this with her second album, Whip-Smart (1994), which earned her a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, and Whitechocolatespaceegg (1998). Ten years after the release of her debut, Phair's fourth album, Liz Phair (2003), released on Capitol Records, moved towards pop rock, earning her a mainstream audience but alienating critics.
After the release of her fifth album, Somebody's Miracle (2005), Phair left Capitol and released her sixth album Funstyle independently in 2010. In 2018, it was announced that Matador Records would be releasing a retrospective set for Phair's debut album Exile in Guyville which includes remastered recordings from her original Girly-Sound demo tapes. Phair released her seventh studio album, Soberish, in 2021.
Elvis Be True
Liz Phair Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause it seems like the thing that we do
Elvis is walking around listlessly
Seems he can't even die if he wanted to
It's a bad business to be in
You don't get thanked and you don't get paid
It's a hard world to be in with
And to end with, and to think about leaving behind
Waiting five hours to get into Graceland
Is this anybody's idea of a good time or a good joke?
Airport biographies are usually true
Fame and fortune took its' toll
He's not the king of rock and roll anymore
He's just a junkie redneck
Pull the sheet over your head
Fold your arms across your chest
Lie back in bed, you can call folks constantly tomorrow
Ohhh, everyone's talking 'bout Elvis
'Cause it seems like a thing that we do
Elvis is living too fat and slow now
To care what we say about him
Picking up hitchhiking Elvises
Christening babies at the foot of his grave
He was watching TV and laughing to himself
Just had to tell someone how he did it
Elvis, be good to me
Elvis, be true
Elvis, I love you
Elvis, be true
Elvis, be near me
Elvis, be mine
Elvis, come back to me
Please, Elvis, be fine
Everything's coming up roses
Everything's coming up Elvis
Everything's coming up roses
Everything's coming up Elvis
Elvis
Elvis
Elvis
Elvis, be true
The song "Elvis Be True" by Liz Phair is an insightful commentary on the phenomenon of idolizing celebrities, specifically Elvis Presley. The opening lines suggest that the act of constantly talking about Elvis is simply a social trend without any real significance. The image of Elvis walking around listlessly adds to the idea that he has become detached from his own life and the world he once knew. Phair then delves into the darker side of fame and fortune, suggesting that being a celebrity is a bad business to be in, both emotionally and financially. She also notes the absurdity of people waiting five hours to get into Graceland and exhuming Elvis's body in Memphis. The line "airport biographies are usually true" highlights the tendency to believe everything we hear about celebrities, regardless of whether it's true or not, and how this can affect their lives and legacies.
Phair takes a more somber tone towards the end of the song with the repetition of "Elvis, be good to me / Elvis, be true / Elvis, I love you / Elvis, be true." These lines reflect the sadness and desperation of fans who want to connect with the person behind the image of their idol, and perhaps be reassured that their hero is still "true" to them. The final lines of "everything's coming up roses / everything's coming up Elvis" suggest that, despite everything that has happened, the legacy of Elvis Presley still shines bright as a symbol of success and adoration.
Overall, "Elvis Be True" is a haunting depiction of the pressure and isolation that comes with celebrity, as well as the complexities and illusions that surround the world of fame.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyone's talking 'bout Elvis
Elvis is a subject of much discussion and interest among many people.
'Cause it seems like the thing that we do
Talking about Elvis has become a cultural norm, and people do it often because it's expected or trendy.
Elvis is walking around listlessly
The image of Elvis that people hold is one of him being directionless and wandering aimlessly.
Seems he can't even die if he wanted to
The cultural obsession with Elvis has rendered him immortal in a sense, such that even his death is constantly being discussed and dissected by people.
It's a bad business to be in
Being famous and loved by many is a tough and often thankless job.
You don't get thanked and you don't get paid
Fame comes with many pressures and demands, but the rewards are often not what they seem.
It's a hard world to be in with
Living in the public eye is tough, and it takes a toll on a person's mental and emotional health.
And to end with, and to think about leaving behind
In the end, the legacy of the famous is always on their minds, and they wonder what kind of impact they'll leave behind.
Exhuming the body in Memphis
The constant scrutiny and fascination with Elvis has led some to even dig up his remains in search of answers and validation.
Waiting five hours to get into Graceland
People will go to great lengths to get a glimpse of the famous and their lives, even if it means waiting in long lines.
Is this anybody's idea of a good time or a good joke?
The singer questions the motives of those who partake in the spectacle of Elvis' life and wonders if it's all just a joke or a way to make themselves feel important.
Airport biographies are usually true
Despite the many rumors and myths surrounding Elvis, the stories that circulate in the media and in books are often founded in truth.
Fame and fortune took its' toll
The price of fame and success is steep, and it often leads to mental and emotional exhaustion.
He's not the king of rock and roll anymore
The cultural relevance and importance of Elvis has diminished over time, and younger generations might not appreciate him as much as previous ones did.
He's just a junkie redneck
The stereotype of Elvis as a drug addict and a simple Southern man endures, despite any efforts to portray him differently.
Pull the sheet over your head
The artist addresses Elvis directly and urges him to retreat from the world and its harsh demands.
Fold your arms across your chest
The artist suggests that Elvis should seek comfort and solace in death.
Lie back in bed, you can call folks constantly tomorrow
The idea of being free from the pressures of fame and the need to constantly entertain and interact with people is a tempting one, and death offers that release.
Elvis, be good to me
The singer expresses a desire to connect with Elvis on a personal level and asks him to be kind and gentle.
Elvis, be true
The artist hopes that Elvis will stay true to himself and his ideals, despite the many obstacles he faced in life.
Elvis, I love you
The artist expresses her deep admiration and affection for Elvis, and acknowledges the impact he had on her life.
Elvis, be near me
The artist longs for Elvis' presence and support in her life, even if he's not physically there.
Elvis, be mine
The singer desires an intimate and meaningful relationship with Elvis, one that goes beyond just being a fan of his music.
Elvis, come back to me
The artist wishes that Elvis was still alive and could be a part of her life and the world around her.
Please, Elvis, be fine
The singer expresses a deep concern for Elvis' well-being and safety, hoping that wherever he is, he's happy and healthy.
Everything's coming up roses
Life is good and full of opportunities for the singer, and everything seems to be going well.
Everything's coming up Elvis
The singer is optimistic about Elvis' influence and legacy, and believes that he will continue to be adored and celebrated for generations to come.
Elvis, be true
The song ends with a plea to Elvis to stay true to himself and his ideals, and to continue being an inspiration to those who love him.
Contributed by Thomas T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
headache79
@OneEyedJack1982 That's what we've called in on the Girlysounds Bootleg CDs/cassettes circulating all these years, but when Liz officially released it on the second CD included with "Funstyle" she referred to it as the "Elvis Song".
Tweegrrl
it's originally from the Girly Sound "Yo Yo Buddy Yup Yup Word to Ya Muthuh" <3
OneEyedJack1982
Isn't "Elvis, be true" the title of this song?