Saturday, November 26, 2011

Elvis' milestone song "Heartbreak Hotel"

Elvis Presley recorded on January 27, 1956 his first official song “Heartbreak Hotel” under his new own record label RCA Victor. However, the song was recorded in Nashville and doesn’t have a direct significance to the city Memphis, but it was such an important milestone for Elvis’ career, that I want to focus my daily blog entry on it. The song was very essential for Elvis and gave him his break. Heartbreak Hotel was Elvis’ first number one hit and was the best-selling track in the year 1956. Tommy Durden and Mae Boren Axton wrote the song. The King of Rock and Roll earned his first million with the song, which topped Billboard’s Top 100 charts. Additionally, the song reached place one in the Country and Western charts and was number five on the R& B charts. As a consequence, Heartbreak Hotel was certified with double platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). Later, in 1995, the song became part of the Grammy Hall of Fame and got named of one of the 500 greatest songs of all time in the Rolling Stones Magazine. Moreover, Heartbreak Hotel also reached a place in the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that shaped Rock and Roll”.

I’ve listened to the song many times and definitely think that Heartbreak Hotel is very characteristic for Elvis’ music. The song perfectly embodies what most people associate with Elvis and Rock and Roll. Although the song only has a total time of 2:10, it totally has an earworm function. Heartbreak Hotel is THE Rock and Roll song of Elvis Presley.

What is your opinion about the song? Would you also say, it was THE song, which helps Elvis to his successful career?

2 comments:

  1. In my opinion, “earworm” is the right word for that song. I listen to the songs for several years, and it always enhances my mood. I absolutely agree, Heartbreak Hotel was the song, which led Elvis to his triumphant career. I’m also at the same mind that the song perfectly embodies the genre Rock ‘n’ Roll.

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  2. I think Heartbreak Hotel is one of best songs, which got ever recorded. The song has a leadership function for plenty of other rock and roll songs. Plus, it got covered by a bunch of other artists. I love the song!!

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