Elvis Has Left the Building
The Old Dogs were an American country music supergroup composed of singers … Read Full Bio ↴The Old Dogs were an American country music supergroup composed of singers Waylon Jennings, Mel Tillis, Bobby Bare, and Jerry Reed. Signed in 1998 to Atlantic Records, they recorded a self-titled studio album for the label that year. The album's content was lagely written by author, poet, and songwriter Shel Silverstein. Most of the group's songs were based on the realization of aging, after Bare commented that there were "no good songs about growing old".[The album was recorded live in studio, so audience applause can be heard between the tracks. The two discs come in different cases, and has different album art for them. The album was also issued as a single disc.

Elvis Has Left the Building
Old Dogs Lyrics


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Well, wake up pretty Mama and hear what I'm sayin'
You gotta stop them non-stop Elvis records you keep playin'
Take off your headphones, Baby, and pay a little mind to me
Elvis has left, but he's livin' in your memory

It's Love Me Tender ev'ry mornin', Don't Be Cruel ev'ry night
Hound Dog while we're makin' love, you know that ain't right
I'm All Shook Up and, Mama, that ain't all right with me

Elvis has left the building
Elvis has left the building
Elvis has left, and all ya got left is me

Alright

Well, I can twirl my hips (He can twirl those hips)
And I can curl my lips (He can curl that lip)
I can squint my eye, (Yeah), quiver my voice
C'mon, Baby, you ain't got no choice

Alright, um-um-um-um

I don't want your Money Honey, won't be your Teddy Bear
But I'll love you so tender, you'll swear the King is there
I'll buy some Blue Suede Shoes, tight pipe jeans
I'll eat them jelly doughnuts till I bust at the seams

Oh, Baby, wake up to reality
Elvis has left the building
Elvis has left the building
Elvis has left the building
But you can't see
Elvis has left, and all ya got left is me





Thank ya v'ry much

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Elvis Has Left the Building" by Old Dogs are a humorous take on a lover's frustration with their partner's obsession with Elvis Presley. The singer is pleading with their lover to stop playing Elvis records over and over again and pay attention to their present relationship, now that Elvis is no longer alive. The singer addresses their lover as "Mama" throughout the song, a reference to Elvis's nickname, and sarcastically points out that listening to "Hound Dog" while making love is not appropriate.


The song's title, "Elvis Has Left the Building," was a phrase made famous by Elvis's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, when he would say it after Elvis finished a concert and had left the stage. It became a well-known catchphrase and even inspired a 2004 movie of the same name.


The lyrics also reference several of Elvis's most iconic songs, including "Love Me Tender," "Don't Be Cruel," and "All Shook Up." The singer promises to be just as entertaining as Elvis by twirling his hips, curling his lip, and quivering his voice. He even offers to buy some "Blue Suede Shoes" and eat "jelly doughnuts" until he bursts.


At its core, the song is a playful jab at Elvis's enduring popularity and the way his music can almost become a substitute for a real relationship. The singer reminds his lover that while Elvis may live on in her memory, she has a real, living partner standing in front of her.


Overall, "Elvis Has Left the Building" is a lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek anthem that both Elvis fans and non-fans can appreciate.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, wake up pretty Mama and hear what I'm sayin'
Hey, wake up and listen to me.


You gotta stop them non-stop Elvis records you keep playin'
Quit playing Elvis songs on repeat.


Take off your headphones, Baby, and pay a little mind to me
Stop ignoring me while you listen to music.


Elvis has left, but he's livin' in your memory
Elvis is gone, but you can't stop thinking about him.


It's Love Me Tender ev'ry mornin', Don't Be Cruel ev'ry night
You listen to Elvis all the time, even in the morning and at night.


Hound Dog while we're makin' love, you know that ain't right
It's inappropriate to listen to Hound Dog while being intimate.


I'm All Shook Up and, Mama, that ain't all right with me
I'm upset that you're still obsessed with Elvis.


Elvis has left the building
Elvis is gone.


Elvis has left the building
Elvis is gone.


Elvis has left, and all ya got left is me
I'm the only one left for you now that Elvis is gone.


Well, I can twirl my hips (He can twirl those hips)
I can dance like Elvis.


And I can curl my lips (He can curl that lip)
I can make my face look like Elvis.


I can squint my eye, (Yeah), quiver my voice
I can even imitate Elvis' voice.


C'mon, Baby, you ain't got no choice
You have to choose me now that Elvis is gone.


I don't want your Money Honey, won't be your Teddy Bear
I don't want to be one of Elvis' songs.


But I'll love you so tender, you'll swear the King is there
I'll love you just as much as Elvis did.


I'll buy some Blue Suede Shoes, tight pipe jeans
I'll even dress like Elvis.


I'll eat them jelly doughnuts till I bust at the seams
I'll eat like Elvis, too.


Oh, Baby, wake up to reality
Snap out of your Elvis obsession.


Elvis has left the building
Elvis is really gone.


Elvis has left the building
He's not coming back.


Elvis has left the building
Seriously, he's gone.


But you can't see
You're still not over him.


Elvis has left, and all ya got left is me
I'm your only option after Elvis.


Thank ya v'ry much
Thank you very much.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SHEL SILVERSTEIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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