I Shall Not Be Moved

This time, it's not just Elvis singing.  This recording is of The Million Dollar Quartet, consisting of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash. Here, they sing the African American spiritual "I Shall Not Be Moved." 

video credit: thehepcatturinmafia

The song is from the 1800's, originally sung by slaves holding on their faith to persevere through the hard times. The song became popular again during the civil rights movement. The song repeatedly uses the phrase, "Just like a tree that's planted by the waters, I shall not be moved," showing a stoic, passive resistance to unrelenting forces. It is easy to see why the song became popular during the civil rights movement, as its message aligns with that of Dr. Martin Luther King and the non-violent protests he supported. The repetition of "I shall not be moved" makes it feel like the singer is holding onto something that is in danger of being taken away. I would imagine that many slaves were holding onto what little traditions and ways of life they still had, trying to keep an identity with so much uncertainty in their future.

 

image credit: Rupert Sagar-Musgrave

The Bible verse that the song probably takes its title from is Jeremiah 17:8, "For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit," King James Version. Not only will you be unmoved, you will never cease to prosper, and never be in need.

In the Ghetto

This week’s highlighted song is Elvis’s “In the Ghetto.” A song about hardship in Chicago’s poor neighborhood. It chronicle the life on a poor man’s life from birth to death. Below is a photo of tenements that half of the city's poor black children lived in.

photo credit: Wayne Miller/ Magnum Photos

The America Elvis describes is one of poverty with no means of relief. Once again, Elvis sings a song of compassion. The song attributes the lawlessness of the young man's life with his situation and the environment he is exposed to. I believe this problem is still alive today, and many people in need are exposed only to negative lifestyle choices and do not know how, or are not even able, to make better life decisions. As in my last post, we shouldn't judge a man until we walk a mile in his shoes. For some people struggling, there does not appear to be a way out. The song closes with “and another little baby child is born in the Ghetto, and his momma cried.” This America has no way out for the poor. The cycle is doomed to perpetuate itself. The American Dream is dead.

video credit: ramonda

Walk a Mile in My Shoes

Another great song by Elvis is "Walk a Mile in My Shoes," by Joe South. In the link I provided, he opens it by quoting Hank Williams's "Men With Broken Hearts," another great song by another great artist. "Walk a Mile..." calls for compassion for someone who is being judged by a closed minded person, and asks the listener to "walk a mile in my shoes." Written in 1969 among many societal tensions, the song delicately and tactfully deals with racial issues. Race is never explicitly brought up, only that "there are people on reservations and out in the ghetto." This vagueness gives the song a broader reach without offending the judgmental person it addresses. It can be applicable to anyone who feels judged unfairly, no matter what the reason. I do find it to be a little one-sided, as the singer does not offer to do the same. It sort seem a little egocentric and self-centered. But it is still a great song, and it makes it point quite well, nonetheless. Enjoy!

video credit: SoundAndArt2010

If I Can Dream

I first heard this song by Elvis in the credits to the movie, "The Skeleton Key." It was one of his later recordings, and his voice was a little shot, so I honestly thought it was an Elvis impersonator. But I was intrigued by the song, so I looked it up. I think it's one of my favorite songs by him.

image credit: http://vesti.az/news/270483

The song was recorded in 1968, two months after Martin Luther King was assassinated, and the lyrics are inspired by quotes by King. Alluding to King's "I Have a Dream" speech. The song's title line, "If I can dream," alludes to King's quote, "If you can't fly, then run, if you can't run, then walk, if you can't can't walk, then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward." Elvis encourages us to keep fighting for good, as long as we can still dream. The song laments the hardships of the times and looks looks to a hopeful, brighter future. Elvis felt a connection to the civil rights movement and the struggle of black Americans and that can be heard in the passion in his voice as he sings this song.

video credit: Marco Hebbling

Introduction

There is perhaps no greater American musical icon as Elvis Presley. This blog will examine the political slant behind some of his music. I am by no means an Elvis expert, so if you have anything to add, please feel free! I hope you enjoy!