Thursday Thirteen #424

The "I love Elvis" edition. The older I get, the more I appreciate The King. When I was a kid, I thought he was a joke. I dismissed him as an irrelevant, overweight man who would bump and grind like a stripper to the delight of his aging audience.

 

I was an ass. 

 

I realize now he was an artist, an icon and a cultural force. He was also high camp and an American tragedy.

 

The inspiration for this post was my friend Patty, who told me her favorite summer memory was a family road trip to St. Louis when she was 10. Elvis had just died, and the clear channel AM radio station ("WLS, The Big 89") played all Elvis/all the time in tribute. The windows were rolled down and her parents were singing along. She and her older brother knew a few songs well enough to join in. 

 

So this week, as we observe the 48th anniversary of his death, I give you the 13 most most enduringly popular Elvis songs.*

1. Can't Help Falling in Love (1961)

2. Jailhouse Rock (1957)

3. Hound Dog (1956)

4. Don't Be Cruel (1956)

5. Heartbreak Hotel (1956)

6. Love Me Tender (1956)

7. Are You Lonesome Tonight? (1960)

8. Return to Sender (1962)

9. Suspicious Minds (1969)

10. In the Ghetto (1969)

11. Burning Love (1972)

12. How Great Thou Art (1967)

13. You're the Devil in Disguise (1963)

*As compiled by Forbes. My favorite, "Kentucky Rain," isn't here. I love his voice and the way he interprets the lyrics, which could be maudlin, but aren't in his hands.

 

Please join us for THURSDAY THIRTEEN. Click here to play along, and to see other interesting compilations of 13 things.