Elvis Wordplay Trivia

1. What early Elvis Presley classic is being referred to here? 'So you're the drummer boy from Illinois. Can you go "crash boom bang"? OK, you're in. Speaking of 'in', what are you in for?' (1957)

From Quiz 'Let it Slide, Papa's Bride!' Elvis in other words

Answer: Jailhouse Rock

'Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone Little Joe was blowin' on the slide trombone The drummer boy from Illinois went crash boom bang The whole rhythm section was the Purple Gang 'Let's rock!' Great lyrics by Mike Stoller, music by Jerry Lieber. Number one Cashbox Pop and Country, number one UK. The movie sequence is one of the most enduring images of Elvis, but he didn't move like that on stage! The Hollywood choreographers got hold of him, and the result is less pelvis and more jazz dance steps. I prefer the spontaneity of his earlier gyrations. They're seen to better effect in the previous movie, 'Loving You'. His moves were considered shocking at the time. These days no one seems to bat an eyelid at 'twerking' and 'accidental' wardrobe malfunctions. Let's not name names! 'Chain Gang' was a memorable 1960 Cashbox number-two Sam Cooke hit. The others are made up of course.

From Quiz Fractured Elvis

Answer: Devil in Disguise

"(You're the) Devil in Disguise" was a 1963 release by Elvis that was written by Giant, Baum and Kaye. It reached number one in the UK, but only topped out at number three in the US.

From Quiz Elvis Presley Songs -- In Other Words #2

Answer: Jailhouse Rock

"Jailhouse Rock" was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and became an easy hit for Elvis Presley. First released as a 45rpm single on September 24, 1957, it was featured in the movie "Jailhouse Rock." In the film performance of the song, you can see Mike Stoller playing piano.

From Quiz 'Let it Slide, Papa's Bride!' Elvis in other words

Answer: Love Me Tender

'Love me tender, love me true. All my dreams fulfill For my darling I love you and I always will.' Can you imagine Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Chuck Berry or Gene Vincent crooning those lines? Still one of his best loved, the song was number one Cashbox Pop, number three country, and 11 in the UK. It was based on the public-domain civil war tune 'Aura Lee'. A million copies were ordered before it was even released, unthinkable in 1956 and prompting the producers to change the title of his movie debut from the original ('The Reno Brothers'). A 'western' (or more accurately 'southern') starring Richard Egan and Debra Paget, it was to be the only one Elvis ever made for which he did not receive top billing. Initially Presley didn't want to sing in his movies at all, but to be taken seriously as an actor. 'Colonel' Tom Parker had other ideas. 'Mystery Train' was a song from the original Sun sessions, and also the title of a 1988 Jim Jarmusch movie, which the song began and ended. 'Gentle on my Mind', by country/bluegrass multi-instrumentalist John Hartford, is a later recording which had been a big hit for Glen Campbell in 1967. As far as I know he had nothing to do with Little Eva's 1962 smash 'The Locomotion'.

From Quiz Fractured Elvis

Answer: Love Me Tender

The melody for "Love Me Tender" was based on the 1861 song "Aura Lee", which was originally written by George R. Poulton with words by W.W. Fosdick. Elvis performed it on the "Ed Sullivan Show" on the 9th of September, 1956, a month before it was released as a single (and before the movie came out).

From Quiz Elvis Presley Songs -- In Other Words #2

Answer: Love Me Tender

"Aura Lee" is a Civil War ballad with music by George R. Poulton and words by W.W. Fosdick. First published in 1861, this Civil War song would later return to fame as Elvis sang that same melody along with the words "Love Me Tender."

From Quiz Elvis Presley Songs -- In Other Words #1

Answer: Crying In The Chapel

"Crying In The Chapel" was written for Darrell Glenn by his father Artie Glenn. Darrell recorded the song in 1953, along with his father's band The Rhythm Riders.

From Quiz 'Let it Slide, Papa's Bride!' Elvis in other words

Answer: (I can't help) Falling in Love with You

'Wise men say ...' From the first note, that unmistakable baritone puts its stamp on the song. Elvis has entered the building and you are graced by his presence. You may grovel now ... Well, that's a little misleading as the song was more often used as a closer. Originally recorded for the 'King's' most commercially successful movie, 1961's 'Blue Hawaii', it became Presley's signature tune in his later years after his 1968 live 'comeback' special, sometimes referred to as the 'sequinned jumpsuit years'. The melody closely resembles the 18th century chanson 'Plaisir D'Amour'. Notable covers include British white reggae band UB40 (number one in many countries in 1993) and Spaniard Julio Iglesias, the biggest selling Latin artist of all time, on his 1990 album 'Starry Night'. 'Flip, Flop and Fly' was a 1950s swing-boogie hit for Big Joe Turner. 'Over Under Sideways Down' was a 1966 guitar envelope-pusher for the Yardbirds featuring Jeff Beck. 'Please Help Me I'm Falling' was a 1960 top-ten country hit for hall-of-fame tenor Hank Locklin, not to be confused with Roy Orbison's moderately successful 1963 single simply entitled 'Falling'.

From Quiz Elvis Presley Songs -- In Other Words #2

Answer: In The Ghetto

"In the Ghetto" was originally called "The Vicious Circle" and was written by the great Mac Davis. Covers include Natalie Merchant, Dolly Parton, The Cranberries and Merle Haggard.

From Quiz Elvis Presley Songs -- In Other Words #1

Answer: Hound Dog

"Hound Dog" is a 12-bar blues tune written by Stoller and Leiber. The song was first recorded by "Big Mama" Thornton in 1952, and went on to be covered by The Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Lennon and even Jimi Hendrix.

From Quiz Elvis - All Shook Up! 2

Answer: A Little Less Conversation

"A Little Less Conversation" was originally used in the film "Live a Little, Love a Little". In 2002, the song was remixed by JXL and became a Number 1 hit. It was also used by Nike in a commercial.

From Quiz Elvis - All Shook Up!

Answer: The Wonder Of You

Elvis' single release of "The Wonder Of You" was recorded by RCA at the International Hotel in Las Vegas.

From Quiz 'Let it Slide, Papa's Bride!' Elvis in other words

Answer: Don't Be Cruel

With Its B-side 'Hound Dog', this single shot to number one on all three US charts. On Billboard Pop, it remained there for 11 weeks, tying with Anton Karas's 'Third Man' theme from 1950 and Johnny Ray's 'Cry' of 1953. This achievement was not surpassed until Boyz II Men's 'End of the Road' in 1992. It had sold four million copies by the end of 1956 and six million by 1961. 'Don't Be Cruel' was almost always included in Elvis's concert performances. It was covered by numerous artists and reportedly was a staple of the Beatles' Liverpool live repertoire. No early recording by them is known to exist, but there is said to be an unreleased version in the 'Get Back' session archives. 'Treat Me Nice' was the B-side of 'Jailhouse Rock'; 'Wear my Ring Around your Neck' gained number two Pop for him in 1958. 'Lawdy Miss Clawdy', a 1952 R & B chart-topper by Lloyd Price regarded as one of the first rock'n'roll songs, was covered by Elvis in 1956 and memorably reprised in his 1968 TV comeback special.

From Quiz Fractured Elvis

Answer: Heartbreak Hotel

Written by Tommy Durden and Mae Boren Axton, "Heartbreak Hotel" was released as a single on the 27th of January, 1956. The album of the same name was Elvis' first number one album and also became his first million-selling album.

From Quiz Elvis Presley Songs -- In Other Words #2

Answer: Devil In Disguise

Written by Bernie Baum, Florence Kaye and Bill Giant, "Devil in Disguise" ended up being a number one hit for Elvis in the UK. On the show "Juke Box Jury," guest star John Lennon voted the song a "miss," stating that Elvis was "like Bing Crosby now."

From Quiz Elvis Presley Songs -- In Other Words #1

Answer: Kentucky Rain

"Kentucky Rain" was written by a then little-known Eddie Rabbitt, performed by Elvis with an unknown Ronnie Milsap on piano.

From Quiz 'Let it Slide, Papa's Bride!' Elvis in other words

Answer: Are You Lonesome Tonight?

By the time of his 70s Las Vegas concerts, the original, earnestly-spoken monologue had become an embarrassing joke to Presley, and he often used it for comic relief, with substituted nonsense words. While delivering it, he would often sip a drink and mingle with the audience, and allow some of them to touch him and even hug him, to often emotional and hysterical scenes. Shades of 'the hem of his garment'. I don't know how many were lame and can now walk, or were blind and can now see, but give it a couple of hundred years or so ... 'Help Me Make it Through the Night' is a widely covered 1970 Kris Kristofferson song. 'Such a Night', originally recorded by Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters in 1954, was a big UK hit for Johnnie Ray, and was also recorded by Elvis as a B-side in the 60s. "One Night with You' was also a 50s Elvis B-side.

From Quiz Fractured Elvis

Answer: Return to Sender

"Return to Sender" was a 1962 release hit for Elvis, written by Otis Blackwell and Winfield Scott. He also performed the song in the 1962 film "Girls! Girls! Girls!" In 1993, the US Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp featuring Elvis, partly in honor of this song, but mostly (of course) in honor of Elvis' impact on the world of rock and roll.

From Quiz Elvis Presley Songs -- In Other Words #2

Answer: All Shook Up

Written by Otis Blackwell and Elvis, "All Shook Up" ranked number 352 on "Rolling Stone's" list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Notable covers include The Beatles, Suzi Quatro and Paul McCartney.

From Quiz Elvis Presley Songs -- In Other Words #1

Answer: Suspicious Minds

Mark James wrote the song "Suspicious Minds" and was also a co-writer of "Always On My Mind." "Suspicious Minds" was covered by Dionne Warwick's sister Dee Dee, Dwight Yoakam and Waylon Jennings/Jessi Colter.

From Quiz Elvis - All Shook Up! 2

Answer: Peace In The Valley

The full title of the song is "(There'll Be) Peace in the Valley (For Me)". Elvis sang "Peace in the Valley" on his third appearance of "The Ed Sullivan Show".

From Quiz 'Let it Slide, Papa's Bride!' Elvis in other words

Answer: (Let me be your) Teddy Bear

'I don't wanna be your tiger, 'cause tigers play too rough I don't wanna be your lion, 'cause lions ain't the kind you love enough Just let me be your teddy bear.' The marketing folk were not stupid. Relief from the raunch - something cute and cuddly - was needed for the hordes of barely adolescent female fans and this one fit the bill perfectly. I wonder how many of them had their 'Elvis moment' with this number one hit from his second film, 'Loving You'. 70s rock bassist and band leader Suzi Quattro confessed to having hers when she was six. Theodore Roosevelt acquired the nickname 'Teddy Bear' after he refused to shoot at point-blank range a distressed captured bear on a Mississippi hunting expedition. Dolls were marketed based on satirical drawings of the incident. 'Ready Teddy' was a Little Richard rave-up covered by Elvis. 'Roughriders' refers to Roosevelt's cavalry unit during the Spanish-American War, and 'Bananas in Pyjamas' was a popular kindergarten song developed for the Australian Broadcasting Commission's 'Play School' team.

From Quiz Fractured Elvis

Answer: Suspicious Minds

"Suspicious Minds" was written by Mark James. James recorded it himself first in 1968, but it didn't make it big until it was recorded by Elvis the following year. Unfortunately, "Suspicious Minds" would end up being the last number one release for Elvis before his death.

From Quiz Elvis Presley Songs -- In Other Words #2

Answer: Burning Love

On August 1, 1972, "Burning Love" was released as a single with the B-side touting "It's a Matter of Time." The tune reached the Top 40 on the country charts and peaked at number 36.

From Quiz Elvis Presley Songs -- In Other Words #1

Answer: The Twelfth Of Never& The 12th of Never

Certainly, we all remember Johnny Mathis' version of "The Twelfth Of Never." Written by Webster and Livingston, the song was also covered by Olivia Newton-John, Dolly Parton/Keith Urban and Dame Gracie Fields.

From Quiz 'Let it Slide, Papa's Bride!' Elvis in other words

Answer: All Shook Up

'Well bless my soul, what's wrong with me? ' ... My hands are shaky and my knees are weak I can't seem to stand on my own two feet' Not much wrong with him, I'd say. By early 1957 when this song was released, King Elvis may well have been feeling like King Midas. This Otis Blackwell song was number one Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks, number one R & B four weeks, and his first number one on the UK singles chart (four weeks). In the US it became the top charting single of the year. I would call that 'standing on your own two feet' ... Over the years it's been recorded by artists as diverse as Paul McCartney, Suzi Quattro, Billy Joel and Rod Stewart, and performed live by Dolly Parton and Prince. Proto-Beatles 'Quarrymen' bandmate Len Garry stated they performed it on the day McCartney met John Lennon. Quite a pedigree. It's RIAA-certified double platinum. 'Rum and Coca-cola' was a huge but somewhat controversial 1945 hit for the Andrews Sisters, partly because of its risque lyrics and partly copyright infringement issues, but that's a whole other story. 'Let's Have a Party' was a track from Elvis's 'Loving You' movie, and was a 1960 hit for hard-rocking country-rockabilly star Wanda Jackson. 'Whole Lotta Shakin' was Jerry Lee Lewis's iconic international breakthrough hit.

From Quiz Elvis Presley Songs -- In Other Words #2

Answer: Love Letters

Appearing as an instrumental in the movie by the same name, "Love Letters" is a 1945 song written by Victor Young with lyrics by Edward Heyman. The song was nominated for an Academy Award in 1945 for Best Song. Notable covers include Jack Jones, Joe Walsh and Elvis.

From Quiz Elvis Presley Songs -- In Other Words #1

Answer: Viva Las Vegas

"Viva Las Vegas" was written in 1964 by Mort Shuman and Doc Pomus, and of course, recorded by Elvis for his movie "Viva Las Vegas." The song has been covered by ZZ Top, Ann-Margret and the Dead Kennedys.

From Quiz 'Let it Slide, Papa's Bride!' Elvis in other words

Answer: (You're so square) Baby I Don't Care

Also from the 'Jailhouse Rock' EP, reportedly Elvis himself provided the bouncy upright bass backing on this catchy, sparsely arranged number. I don't recall any concert footage of it by the man himself, but it's been covered by many artists over the years, including Led Zeppelin, Queen, Joni Mitchell, Bobby Vee, Buddy Holly and Bryan Ferry. In his movies Elvis always seemed to end up with the clean-living, 'square' girl-next-door type, managing to shrug off the vampy rival leading ladies trying to get their hooks in. I'm sure his private life was a somewhat different story, but I was no fly on his bedroom wall (nor would I want to be) so who am I to say? 'Love is a Many-Splendored Thing' was a 1955 Oscar-winning movie theme sung by the Four Aces (Billboard and Cashbox number one, UK Singles Chart number two). The movie, loosely based on a controversial interracial romance between Chinese writer and political commentator Dr Han Suyin and an American press correspondent in Hong Kong, starred William Holden and Jennifer Jones. The other two choices are also Presley recordings.

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