Billy Joel, 'Elvis Presley Boulevard'
Source: www.elvis.com.au
February 11, 2023
Before discovering The Beatles as young teen, Billy was a big fan of Elvis as a kid. His sister Judy had a portable turntable with 'Elvis' written on the side. When Billy did an imitation of Elvis at elementary school in the fourth grade, complete with pelvic thrusts, it was a big hit. He was beginning to realize the power of rock and roll.
Billy recorded covers of two of Elvis Presley's hits, 'All Shook Up' and 'Heartbreak Hotel, for the soundtrack to the 1992 movie Honeymoon In Vegas which featured Nicolas Cage and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Barry Manilow says he brings up Elvis to other artists and remains astonished at how deep his influence is. 'You know, Billy Joel, one of the great songwriters, who doesn't sound anything like Elvis, you mention Elvis to him and he just goes off', Manilow says. 'Elvis was one of his idols. It just goes on and on, with people you never would have expected to have connected with Elvis' music and style'. (From and Interview with John Katsilometes Las Vegas Review-Journal. October 15, 2022)
Elvis Presley Boulevard (recorded 1981)
Once long ago all the faithful held a show
Down at Elvis Presley Blvd. on Memphis radio
Where the hopeless held a vigil and the nameless made the charts
Where the losers lost their sorrow and the lonely left their hearts
Step on these shoes and I'll see you in hell
Love me so tender, I cried
Save me a room at the Heartbreak Hotel
I'm so alone I could die
I took a ride with my baby by my side
Down to Elvis Presley Blvd. where all the faithful cried
And I saw that silent mansion and I knew that I was lost
They were selling plastic souvenirs of Elvis on the cross
Step on these shoes and I'll see you in hell
Love me so tender, I cried
Save me a room at the heartbreak Hotel
I'm so alone I could die
Drive down that road tonight
Everyone has gone
Nobody's home but the light's
Always on
Man I was beat I was driven by the heat
Down to Elvis Presley Blvd., a one-way dead-end street
And I smashed my car to pieces and I said goodbye to youth
I heard all the ugly rumors but I could not face the truth
Save me a room at the Heartbreak Hotel
I'm so alone I could die
Drive down that road tonight
Everyone has gone
Nobody's home but the light's
Always on
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Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD
Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio.
This is an excellent release no fan should be without it.
The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended.
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound.
