Written By McKenna

Elvis Presley may not have started to produce music in the 1960’s however I believe he was essential in the makings of the revolution. Elvis Presley was anAmerican Icon, a figure that the youth loved, and parents hated. Similarly, he was someone who conservatives loathed and the general public of slightly, but inadvertently rebellious youth could take interest in. Those who weren’t his fans considered him despicable and blamed his breathy, hip- swinging persona on the delinquency of youth, however when Elvis appeared on interviews or spoke out to the public, he was tame, kind hearted, and well-behaved.

         Elvis was born in 1935 and died in 1977.  He grew up in Tupelo, Mississippi extremely poor. After he moved to Memphis, he was later signed to Sun Records after sending an audition tape. Rhythm and blues, country, rock and roll genre compilations acquired him the name “King of Rock and Roll”. His persona had a rather flamboyant personality that was constantly welcomed by screams from crushing teen audiences at every venue he attended. He soon dominated the top charts from 1956-1958 and appeared 3 times on the Ed Sullivan show where he was famously known for being censored from the waist down. His persona inspired many artists, including Jon Lennon, and Prince who later became staples of the sexual revolution.

         OneNight With You, one of Presley’s most successful singles, was written by Dave Bartholomew and Pearl King and was originally recorded by Smiley Lewis in 1956. Elvis’ version was released in the US in 1958 but recorded in 1957. It was released while he was serving in the army. One month before him and the band recorded the song, they rewrote a less controversial version, changing the lyrics “One night of sin/ is what I’m now paying for” to “One night with you/ is whatI’m now praying for”. Although the line was rewritten to accommodate the considerably more conservative potential audiences, the line still suggests a sexually driven message through his bluesy sultry tone. It is also implied that what he’s praying for is affirmations of love, once again reaffirmed through his breathy vocals and the line afterwards “The things that we two could plan/ would make my dream come true”. This phrase is a sexual innuendo, implying the sexual activities they could engage in and his desperation to have just one night with the partner he is singing about. This is further implied through the guitar build up after the phrase, insinuating a feeling of eagerness in its fast pace and rapid note progression. Later on, he proceeds to sing the lyrics “My loves too strong to hide/ Always lived, very quiet life”. In these lyrics Elvis is expressing his overwhelming desire romantically and sexually to be with this woman, saying it’s so intense he almost can’t control it. Shortly after he sings this line, his vocals persist to raise in intensity mimicking the “too strong to hide” lyrics.  The song “climaxes”through his longing vocals the third and last time he sings “Now I know that life without you/ Has been too lonely too long”.

         OneNight With You, is one of many songs performed by Elvis that contributed to, fuelling the sexual revolution. The song was rewritten enough to be released and played without it being banned and eventually the song would reach number 4 on the pop charts. The songs popularity enabled millions of listeners to leave Elvis’ sexual innuendos up to their own imaginations. Furthermore, Elvis’ swooning persona persuaded his audience into listening to his lyrics through their own sexual desire. To say that Elvis was not significant in the sexual revolution is like ignoring that you need flower to bake a cake, it is simply an essential ingredient in the making of something delicious. If it weren’t for Elvis “pushing sex intonations consciousness before the sexual revolution” would it have ever occurred?