I'm Spending the night with Elvis!
By cynthiann
@cynthiann (18602)
Jamaica
December 6, 2010 6:53pm CST
I need to chill out this evening so why I am fiddling around and flitting from one little job to another I am listening to Elvis.
I am mylotting and clearing out a few drawers for 'she' who must be obeyed's'arrival next Tuesday, I am also dancing to "Blue Suede Shoes'.
Isn't it amazing how music can evoke memories?
I remember sitting on the floor mesmerized by my sister Gillian dancing with her friends. She is five years older then I am. I can see her in a turquoise circular skirt and underneath she wore a stiff petticoat that made the skirt stick out and black flat shoes. I think they were called ballet shoes or something.
I kept quiet as I did not want her to make me leave the room and I wanted to learn how to rock and roll. For those of you old enough to remember - my sister looked like Kim Novak - so blond and beautiful. She had rolled up the carpet and one of the guys danced so hard that he went through one of the floor boards. Gill was so scared that when they left we just put the carpet back in place and prayed my mother would not find out.
I fell in love with Elvis that day. When I hear Blue Suede Shoes I always think of my sister.
What memories come to you when you hear a particular song? The way I am feeling tonight may just drift on to Johnny Cash I would love to hear of your memories.
6 people like this
15 responses
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
7 Dec 10
U couldn't have picked out anyone better to spend the evening with. I have been in love w/ELVIS since i was a young teenager. Hope u got the e-mail i sent u yesterday w/elvis singing Blue Christmas. I do remember kim novack well. She was a beautiful woman.I forgot u were having company, woohoo.I listen to oldies but goodies only & there are very few somgs that come on that don't remind me of someone in my past, sometimes that's good but most of the time it's not, lol.The list would be waaaay too long if i listed all my faves & all those memories. I enjoyed your discussion. HUGS.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
7 Dec 10
i JUST RESENT IT TO U. hOPE U GET IT, IT'S WONDERFUL. i CRIED ALL MORNING WATCHING IT OVER & OVER & OVER. He would calm any good woman, lol. Have been in love w/him since i was a young teenager a long, long time ag0. Noone can hold a light to him in my opinion. WOOHOO.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
7 Dec 10
No, I didn't get the email yesterday but I haven't checked if it came in the night. I will let you know. He was definitely the King for me. Kim was certainly beautiful and so is my sister. Still beautiful. Listening to him calmed me down after the security guard episode
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (92481)
• United States
7 Dec 10
That's such a good memory. There is a hymn that we used to sing in church, that makes me laugh. The words are "someone slipped and fell, was that someone you?" And when me, my sister, and a friend of ours were children, we changed the words to "someone slipped and fell, and broke their booty tail." So while the adults sang their version, we sang our version. Now every time I heard that song in church, I have to keep myself from giggling.
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@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
7 Dec 10
I have just remembered after giggling with your memory that in our National Anthem there is a line that says 'Keep us free from Evil powers, be our light through shining hours'. My boys used to sing 'Keep us free from weevil flour, donn't make the dumplings sweet and sour'. Isn't it wonderful how music can bring back memories?
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
7 Dec 10
Hi Cynthiann,
Aw yes...the memories. I've been listening to music pretty constantly since I was a little girls so there are so so many memories. Elvis was amazing. I haven't listened to his music for so long. I do remember Kim Novak vaguely. I remember my dad thought she was about the sexiest actress back then. What I remember most about her is that my ex-husband was named after her. Ya...you read that right. It would of been ok that his father named him Kim as I think that's a pretty cool name for a guy really but he told Kim where his name came from. Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" and anything Bing Crosby bring up memories of my dad who used to sing a lot. Great discussion!
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
7 Dec 10
I just learnt recently that Sweet Caroline' was named after Caroline Kennedy. I loved Neil Diamond. what a smooth voice he had. Amazing. I also love some Willy Nelson. I love jazz too. My favorite jazz vocalist is Ella | Fitzgerald. coming home from work I blasted Tina Turner's Rolling on the River'. It was amazing
@bodhisatya (2384)
• India
7 Dec 10
Hello dear Cynthie,
So you have been multi-tasking while listening to Elvis after the "Rant". ( My next stop shall be your ranting episode).
There are many songs etched in different tiny compartments of my brain and it does evoke different memories if I happen to listen one of them. Some which I used to sing out loud when I was in school; popular Hindi songs.
Today I might try out one from my personal jukebox.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
7 Dec 10
Try it out Bodhi and resurrect a memory. Lovely of you to visit dear friend
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
7 Dec 10
I remember my childhood (especially mum and dad) everytime I hear the old songs - Wasted Days and Wasted Nights, Great Pretender, Songs by the Cascades, etc. We had those records that played again and again. (I'm thinking of buying them new CDs of those songs because though the records are still there, the player's gone). I remember my brother when I hear the songs Happy and the one that goes, How much is that doggy on the window (?) I don't know if he remembers them. Pretty much all my crushes had a theme song attached to him (which after all these years I still remember the boy when I hear the song ). Oh, yes, I remember my dad when I hear Puff the Magic Dragon, the first song I played on guitar (he taught me that). Even the eras of my life I remember through songs - like songs that played when I was in grade school, high school and university, and long after that - what songs played when I was in this job or that. Music is a big part of me .
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
7 Dec 10
I still sing How |Much is that Doggy in the Window to my grand twins and they put in the 'woof woof'Music is a big part of my life too and I have begun to spend some evenings on youtube!
I can remember a song from my teenage years and all of a sudden I can see the young man and remember the outfit that I was wearing
I also remember the Great Pretender' and of course Puff the Magic Dragon.
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
7 Dec 10
Why do we say it as "woof, woof?" If I remember right, we sang it as "Aw! Aw!" Oh, well, that's how dogs bark in our side of the world. Aha! I think it's "Arf! Arf"!
@chelseabelle (197)
• United States
7 Dec 10
I don't have an awesome story such as this one. I usually end up just thinking about a person the song reminds me off.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
7 Dec 10
I think about the person too. And I can remember what I was wearing and wonder how their life has been
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
8 Dec 10
I always spend Jan 8th and August 16th with Elvis! I'm glad he kept you company. There are many songs that remind me of some good times. Most of them are 80's music. back then there were few somes I Didn't know. And then there is ABBA.How can you listen to ABBA and not be happy? It may be possible but not for me. But the one song that can take me back the furthermost is the Doobie Brothers' Listen To The Music. I remember hearing it on my way to school when I was about 7.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
9 Dec 10
No apologies necessary. The Dobbie Brothers was a soul/ soft rock group of the 70's. I Hope you like them. Try What a Fool Believes and Listen To the Music.Yes it is great how music can send you back to sweet memory.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
9 Dec 10
I apologise - I do not know how I missed your response. I used to listen to ABBA too and I believe a movie was made of them as well. I have not heard the doobie brothers but will look for them on YouTube later. Isn't it amazing how a song can transport you back in time? Blessings
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
10 Dec 10
I am listening to What a Fool believes as I am typing. The vocals are truly amazing. Thank you. I will listen to some more of their work. Really good.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
7 Dec 10
I always loved Gene Pitney....whenever I broke up with a boyfriend in high school I would stand and iron the hankerchiefs of my dads and listen to him while I bawled my eyes out....usually it worked to get it out like that....standing there crying to something he sang. I still have a Gene Pitney cd in my car for that special moment I need it! LOL...been a long dry spell though! LOL
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
7 Dec 10
Now I am so ignorant that I am going to go on youtube tonight and listen to something of his. I used to iron my dad's handkerchief's too
@tjades (3591)
• Jamaica
8 Dec 10
The guy went through the floor ? That must have been one hell of a stumping those guys were doing. LOL.
Songs and memories hmm hmmmmmmmmmmmm... I don't think I can effectively put that into words right now but there is this song by Peter Tosh that was playing on Sunday. Jah is my Keeper (I'm not sure of the actual title. The moment me and my sister heard it we started talking about how much that song used to spook us as a kids.
I wanted to get a link to the song to share it here but I can't find that one in particular. The radio used to be turned down low and played throughout the night. Some times when I woke up in the wee hours the song would be playing and man Id reach for the covers and cover from head to toe.
I love the song but its spooky.
@tjades (3591)
• Jamaica
8 Dec 10
LOL.. I do stay away from mylot too long these days. When I do get on I try to do as much as possible. How are you doing?
I am going through song after song on youtube trying to find it. I will post as soon as I come across it but its hard to imagine not finding that song there.
Your post sent me on a Peter Tosh search and now I am having a Tosh's reggaerific night. I cant skip the songs as they are just so captivating. I dont even know "Bues, your feet too big for your sooes' so I have no ides which of Tosh's song your son was singing but it sure must have been funny listening to him.
Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Beres Hammond and oh Cynthie or legends are dying R.I.P Gregory Isaacs... sob sob. I hope Jimmy and Beres and those remaining will be with us for a long time.
Ok... Back to my search.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
8 Dec 10
I have a grasshopper brain. The song was Marley's 'Walking Blues, talking Blues, your feet are too big for your shoes' It was cute the way my son sang it. Peter Tosh never got the publicity like Marley did. I will tell you why. Chris Blackwell was brilliant at marketing. Not many people know that Bob recorded his songs twice. Every record twice. Once for the local market and once again where he spoke in standard English for the overseas market. This helped him enormously, and this is why he became world famous. My sister lived two minutes away from the recording studio which Bob used. It was ready 24/7 as he turned up when he wanted to record Blessings. Rushing to work now.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
8 Dec 10
Hi sweetie pie - where have you been? I adored Peter Tosh and thought that he was better than Bob Marley. I cannot remember that song though so will go on you tube to find it. I have just had a memory of my second son lisping'walking Bues, your feet too big for your sooes' If I can't find it then will ask my children - one of them is sure to have it. I saw Bob Marley at the Stadium in 1974. He was fantastic - great stage presence. Blessings
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
7 Dec 10
Well there's the theme to Astro Boy. Bad Dawn. I used to sing that one a lot, because it annoyed my sister. And then there was Strawberry Fields Forever. My friend Bev and I used to go riding, and there was this horse named Strawberry who was so slow we renamed him. Other than that, I remember mom playing Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring on the piano. Many, many more, I'm sure, but that's what popped into my head today.
Ps Shh, don't tell anybody, lol, but I think I'm going to teach myself piano and see if I can get good enough to play that one. :D
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
7 Dec 10
I also loved Strawberry Fields. You sang to annoy your sister? Now that's not nice is it? Would you like me to send her a special muffin to make up for your annoying her? I still have the muffin man's email address
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
7 Dec 10
Dawn you would have been a good sidekick for me. I just loved to sing or play the most annoying music. I don't know why but I saw humor in it. I never knew when to quit then I'd get upset when they'd finally get mad for real. Did that stop me? only for a short time. Tiny tim's, Tiptoe thru the tulips...big favorite. Yellow submarine. The entire "Hair" album got played repeatedly. I still know every word to "I'm Henry the 8th I am". Hey...Good luck with the piano. I'm sure you'll do great!
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
7 Dec 10
OMG - I have just remembered that I would sing Tiny Tim's 'Tiptoe thru the tulips' until my sister hit me. Just remembered. Oh and did |I love the Yellow Submarine.
and as to 'enery the 8th
I'm 'enery the 8th I am
enery the 8th I am I am
I got married to the widder next door
She been married 7 times before
Each one was an 'enery
She wouldn't have a Willy or a Sam
I'm her 8th old man named 'enery
enery the 8th I am
All you need is love dum de de dum........
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Dec 10
I have many songs that remind me of friends that I was with when I heard those songs. None that are really very powerful memories though.. just good times.
There's also a few songs I can't listen to because they remind me too much of someone I've lost like my foster mom or Godfather.
Nothing really comes to mind when I hear Elvis though.. LOL.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
7 Dec 10
You know why but are too kind to say it. It is because you are so young
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
8 Dec 10
i was 6 or 7 yrs when Elvis got really popular in the 50's and he was on ed sullivan show and they wouldnt show below his chest because he shimmied anyway, the shoes were called paten leather. my mom used to say if i kept being so hard on those shoes shed have to make me wear oxfords/ the black and white ugly things and that eventually what happened my favorite Elvis song is "shes not you" because he was still going when i was 12yrs. i had a guy that had a crush on me and i did him. but he was 16yrs and my mom said he wasnt to come around. he got a girlfriend after that and one time i saw him outside school and he spoke to me a bit and said its why he liked that song. after that it broke my heart to hear it and i still feel sad hearing it..lol
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
8 Dec 10
Aw thank you for sharing this with me. It is a lovely story. It sounds like he really liked you but of course you were much too young. I can hear some songs and it also makes me feel sad. Whenever I got cross then my husband would sing 'She's once, twice, two times a lady" and we would laugh. when I hear it now though I do tear up
@gdesjardin (1918)
• United States
8 Dec 10
Oddly, my 13 year old daughter loves to listen the the oldies channel. She loves both Elvis and Johnny Cash. We live in Tennessee so she always begs to go by Johnny Cash's old house north of Nashville. I can never seem to find it even though I have been to it before a long time ago, before I even lived down here. We did take her to Graceland a few months ago when we drove through Memphis to go to Arkansas. She had to stop at every gift store to get "Elvis stuff". I think the first time she ever heard of Johnny Cash was through his one movie based on his life called Walk The Line...she has seen that so many times she practically has it memorized.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
8 Dec 10
Then your daughter and I have a lot in common. I have been to Tennessee a few times and just loved it but have not yet reached Graceland. Out here in JA Johnny Cash and his wife had a home for many years. He did a lot of social work by completely supporting an orphanage and he and his family were hands on at the orphanage too or children's home as I now believe it is called.
They were good people. Full of love Many blessings
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
7 Dec 10
The music we listen to can motivate what we do. We can move faster or slower. We can be happier and be more energized with our choices in music. We all move to a different beat and it shows in what we listen to and what we do as we listen. I listened to elvis as as child. He was a favorite of my mother's. I still have to stop whatever i am doing and sing along with suspicious Minds.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
7 Dec 10
Isn't music wonderful? When I feel a bit down then I play some of Elvis or someone else and immediately feel so much better. It does influence us so much as you rightly stated.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
11 Dec 10
Last week I was in Vegas (insert lyrics to an Elvis song here), and I saw a lot of references to Elvis while I was there. I also heard a few songs being played, and it reminded me of my dad who is also fond of the songs of the King.
And lastly, when I was at the Mirage Hotel buffet, I saw somebody who looked and was dressed as Elvis. Long live the king!