Gillian Welch - Elvis Presley Blues

Gillian Welch and her musical collaborator Dave Rawlings have recorded about four albums of roots/folk/bluegrass music under her name and one just recently under his name. She also appeared on the soundtrack to the 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' film. "Elvis Presley Blues" is from the third album "Time (The Revelator)" and is a tasteful tribute to the King of Rock n' Roll. The song is sad in the way it tells of his loneliness and decline to the point that it was as if he was relieved to die. I read a biography of Elvis by Greil Marcus (Mystery Train), which covered his life up until his army days and the lyrics do hit home... like a punch in the stomach. And, yes he was just a country boy! To any Elvis fan this is powerful stuff. However, the song may be about Elvis, it is Gillian Welch who is the real star here.

Lyrics below....


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
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
He shook it like a midnight rambler,
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