To this day, I wonder why I
and millions more around the globe continue to listen to the songs of Elvis, especially
his earlier songs though including some of those recorded later in his life. And mind you, not only listen, but countless
others from all over, try to imitate his voice and singing style.
Why? Especially because no other popular singer in
memory has garnered so much attention and inspiration as this guy.
I may have a peek of the
reason or reasons why.
It may center on the
uniqueness of his voice and of course, the distinctive style of his singing,
which, btw, courted sufficient negative criticism from a number of other
accomplished and famous singers of his time.
Singers noted for their very refined and smooth renditions of their
recorded songs. Songs done with such
finesse and clarity as to be completely flawless.
The more famous songs of
Elvis could be said to be rendered coarsely, more raw and unrefined, some
bordering on being primal shouts or shrieks, with him relying heavily on his
voice rather than the accompaniment or arrangement.
But if anything, Elvis did
his songs as some kind of soul baring, like his songs were an exercise of emptying
himself of all that he got inside, in both his core and soul.
So when he sung it was not
simply to show how high or how far the notes he could carry or bring, or how
fast his cadence without slurring words and stumbling over notes. He avidly tried to pour out all he got and
left things the way they came out and sounded.
Thus, he was almost fanatical about how he sung his songs, and for this,
none, even those closest in his retinue, was spared from his almost violent displeasure
when anybody tried to critique his style.
It also gave clear insight to
the almost meaningless explanation he postulated about his singing, when he
said that singing was not about style and technique, but about putting yourself
into your songs.
It certainly holds true for
me. Enjoy, this simple imitation of one
of his more known songs.