“Some people tap their feet, some people snap their fingers, and some people sway back and forth. I just sorta do ‘em all together, I guess.”
-Elvis in 1956, talking about his way of moving on stage.
-Elvis in 1956, talking about his way of moving on stage.
October 17, 1957
“Jailhouse Rock,” Elvis’ third motion picture, premieres in Memphis. “Jailhouse Rock” opens nationally on November 8 and peaks at #3. It ends up being #14 for the year. By 1969, its earnings in the U.S. and Canada were roughly comparable with those of “The Wizard of Oz.” The title song is a smash hit. Years later, this film will be considered one of Elvis’ best acting performances, surpassed only by “King Creole,” which is to follow in 1958. “Jailhouse Rock” will come to be considered the ultimate classic of all “rock opera” movies. The "Jailhouse Rock" production number in the film is to be recognized as the grandfather of pop/rock music videos, a music format to become widely popular by the 1980’s.
(http://www.elvis.com/about-the-king/biography_/1935_1954/1935-1957_page_6.aspx)
"Jailhouse Rock"
The warden threw a party in the county jail. The prison band was there and they began to wail. The band was jumpin' and the joint began to swing. You should've heard those knocked out jailbirds sing. Let's rock, everybody, let's rock. Everybody in the whole cell block was dancin' to the 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, everybody, let's rock. Everybody in the whole cell block was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock. Number forty-seven said to number three: "You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see. I sure would be delighted with your company, come on and do the Jailhouse Rock with me." |
Let's rock, everybody, let's rock.
Everybody in the whole cell block was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock. The sad sack was a sittin' on a block of stone way over in the corner weepin' all alone. The warden said, "Hey, buddy, don't you be no square. If you can't find a partner use a wooden chair." Let's rock, everybody, let's rock. Everybody in the whole cell block was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock. Shifty Henry said to Bugs, "For Heaven's sake, no one's lookin', now's our chance to make a break." Bugsy turned to Shifty and he said, "Nix nix, I wanna stick around a while and get my kicks." Let's rock, everybody, let's rock. Everybody in the whole cell block was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock. |