Birthday
Wainwright Lyrics
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You're not really dead.
It's a lie, it's just a crock,
Something some people said.
I heard a cassette of you speaking
On a telephone;
From a bunker beneath Graceland,
The king sits on his throne.
Happy birthday, Elvis;
Fifty-eight years old today.
It isn't true, you didn't die,
No matter what they say.
The colonel just decided
You should drop out of sight
After the Bicentennial
The timing was just right.
Happy birthday, Elvis;
You're alive in '93.
They took away the body,
But who the hell was he?
Who was that tall fat man
They buried in your place?
Just another imitator;
Plastic surgeons did his face.
Happy birthday, Elvis;
You still love to ball.
Somebody said she spotted you
In a Memphis mall.
Check out the checkout counters;
Read what the tabloids say:
Aliens abducted you,
But somehow you got away.
Happy birthday, Elvis;
I for one will not shed tears.
You'll be back for the millennium;
That's in seven measly years.
And if you're blue and lonely,
Pick up that telephone,
Down in that bunker beneath Graceland,
The king sits on his throne.
In "Birthday," Rufus Wainwright pays tribute to the legendary singer Elvis Presley, who is commonly known as the King of Rock and Roll. Wainwright starts off by challenging the notion that Elvis is dead, claiming it to be a lie perpetuated by some individuals. He mentions hearing a cassette recording of Elvis speaking on a telephone from a secret location beneath Graceland, suggesting that the singer is still alive and reigning from his bunker.
Wainwright then celebrates Elvis' supposed 58th birthday, stating that despite what people say, the singer didn't die. He speculates that Elvis' manager, Colonel Tom Parker, orchestrated his disappearance after the Bicentennial, taking advantage of the timing. Wainwright implies that Elvis' death was a strategic move, allowing the singer to drop out of the public eye.
The song continues to play with the idea of Elvis' continuing existence. Wainwright questions the identity of the man buried in Elvis' place and suggests that plastic surgeons altered his appearance to create an imitator. He references rumors of Elvis being seen in a Memphis mall and the tabloids reporting that he was abducted by aliens but managed to escape.
The lyrics express a belief that Elvis will return in the year 2000, coinciding with the new millennium. Wainwright reassures Elvis that if he feels lonely or blue, he can reach out to him through the telephone located in the underground bunker beneath Graceland, where the king will always sit on his throne.
Overall, "Birthday" pays homage to Elvis Presley and portrays him as a legendary figure who lives on beyond his perceived death.
Line by Line Meaning
Happy birthday, Elvis;
Celebrating Elvis' birthday.
You're not really dead.
Denying the belief that Elvis is dead.
It's a lie, it's just a crock,
Asserting that the notion of Elvis' death is false and ridiculous.
Something some people said.
Referring to the rumors and gossip about Elvis' death.
I heard a cassette of you speaking
Claiming to have heard recordings of Elvis' voice.
On a telephone;
Implying that the recordings were made during a phone conversation.
From a bunker beneath Graceland,
Describing the location where the recordings supposedly took place.
The king sits on his throne.
Portraying Elvis as still in control and powerful.
Fifty-eight years old today.
Acknowledging Elvis' age on his birthday.
It isn't true, you didn't die,
Reiterating that Elvis did not die.
No matter what they say.
Disregarding any contrary statements or beliefs.
The colonel just decided
Explaining that Elvis' manager made a decision.
You should drop out of sight
Deciding that Elvis should disappear from the public eye.
After the Bicentennial
Referring to the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the United States.
The timing was just right.
Indicating that the timing for Elvis' disappearance was perfect.
You're alive in '93.
Asserting that Elvis is alive in 1993.
They took away the body,
Claiming that someone removed Elvis' body.
But who the hell was he?
Questioning the identity of the person whose body was buried.
Who was that tall fat man
Referring to the physical appearance of the person buried instead of Elvis.
They buried in your place?
Expressing doubt about the substitution during the burial.
Just another imitator;
Labeling the person buried as a mere impersonator.
Plastic surgeons did his face.
Suggesting that the person's facial features were altered by plastic surgeons.
You still love to ball.
Imagining that Elvis still enjoys intimate encounters or relationships.
Somebody said she spotted you
Referring to a claim that someone saw Elvis.
In a Memphis mall.
Stating the location where the sighting allegedly occurred.
Check out the checkout counters;
Encouraging the listener to read the tabloids' headlines.
Read what the tabloids say:
Suggesting the tabloids contain information about Elvis' whereabouts or activities.
Aliens abducted you,
Mentioning a theory that Elvis was taken by extraterrestrial beings.
But somehow you got away.
Speculating that Elvis managed to escape from the aliens.
I for one will not shed tears.
Expressing the singer's lack of sadness or grief.
You'll be back for the millennium;
Predicting Elvis' return prior to the turn of the millennium.
That's in seven measly years.
Highlighting the relatively short period left until the millennium.
And if you're blue and lonely,
Addressing Elvis if he feels sad or isolated.
Pick up that telephone,
Encouraging Elvis to make contact through a phone call.
Down in that bunker beneath Graceland,
Referring again to the secret location of the recordings and suggesting it is a safe place.
The king sits on his throne.
Reiterating that Elvis still holds power and authority.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: LOUDON WAINWRIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anthony Picco
wonderful, funny, truthful... classic Loudon
Sabine Reichel
You are one of my alltime favorites. I, too, am a Virgo - they are the most talented musicians - obviously. Like Amy Winehouse, Pink, Chrissie Hynde and Aimee Mann - and Michael Jackson and Beyonce (not my favorites) and so on. Happy Birthday; Loudon!
Maui Solar PV - Pacific Energy
Best birthday song ever