Elvis Is Dead
Living Colour
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Tabloids scream Elvis seen at a shopping mall That's the kind of talk That makes my stomach crawl Picture a zombie Elvis In a tacky white jump suit Just imagine a rotting Elvis Shopping for fresh fruit You can't 'cause [Chorus] Elvis is dead Elvis is dead Elvis is dead Elvis is dead Elvis is dead Elvis is dead Elvis is dead Elvis is dead When the king died He was all alone I heard that when he died He was sitting on his throne Alas poor Elvis They made us know you well Now you dwell forever In the Heartbreak Hotel [Chorus] Elvis was a hero to most But that's beside the point A Black man taught him how to sing And then he was crowned king The pelvis of Elvis Too dangerous for the masses They cleaned him up and sent him to Vegas Now the masses are his slave Slave? Slave Yes, even from the grave Elvis is dead I've got a reason to believe We all won't be received at Graceland I've got a reason to believe We all won't be received at Graceland I've got a reason to believe We all won't be received at Graceland I've got a reason to believe We all won't be received at Graceland [Chorus]
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Written by: VERNON REID
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Song Origin"Elvis Is Dead" is a song by the rock band Living Colour.
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Album ReleaseThe song is on their second studio album "Time's Up," released in 1990.
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Lyrics Theme"Elvis Is Dead" addresses the idea of the false idolatry of Elvis Presley and criticizes the continued worship of him posthumously.
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GenreMusically, the song blurs the lines between hard rock, funk, and heavy metal—typical of Living Colour's genre-bending style.
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Guest PerformanceNotably, the song features a saxophone solo by the legendary musician Maceo Parker.
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Satirical ContentDespite its provocative title, the song is also known for its heavy satirical content.
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Music VideoThe official music video for "Elvis Is Dead" contains surreal and avant-garde imagery, consistent with the band's artistic approach.
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CollaborationLittle Richard, the pioneering rock n' roll artist, collaborates on this track by speaking the words "Elvis is Dead? I ain't even know Elvis was dead!", adding a humorous, paradoxical touch.
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Critical Reception"Elvis Is Dead" became one of Living Colour's most popular songs despite its divisive and controversial subject matter among listeners and critics alike.
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Band CompositionThe band Living Colour itself is notable as one of the few all-African American rock bands to gain mainstream success in the late '80s and early '90s.
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InfluencesLiving Colour's music, including "Elvis Is Dead," was vastly influenced by an array of musical styles including jazz, punk, hip hop, country, and classic rock.
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Cultural CommentaryThe song is regarded as the band's powerful cultural commentary on the way society treats the legacy of its pop culture icons.
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Citation
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"Elvis Is Dead Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 16 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/32953585/Living+Colour/Elvis+Is+Dead>.
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