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Edward Richardson

Prof. I

ENG 111 - 05

11/1/17

Essay #4 Final Draft

Music Affects Culture

Our culture is influenced by many factors. Music is one of those factors. What is

happening in music can change the way our culture reacts to situations. An example of this can

be seen from 9/11 and how many artists immediately wrote songs to express their beliefs and

views on the American people. The songs range from anger, to reflection, to the focus on

rebuilding our country. Our culture was influenced by Elvis Presley through his music choice,

his dance moves, and his clothing.

During the 1950s a very different singer was making his way up the music charts. His

name was Elvis Presley. He was known for his controversial dance moves. The Huffpost quoted

his as the ...most impersonated celebrity. Though his dance moves were not the current style

of bubble gum moves, he forged his own way in his own way. The Huffpost went on to quote,

He received the wrath of his parents, preacher and other entertainers his dance moves were too

vulgar and sexual. Other performers/entertainers were shocked at his moves. These dance

moves of his were not in keeping with the norms of society in the 1950s. Elvis Presley is

known for his swiveling hips and snarling lips and later for his karate kicking in the 1970s

(American Profile, 2015). Elvis wasnt trying to intentionally dance in a vulgar way, he was
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...just get kinda in rhythm with the music. I jump around to it because I enjoy what Im doin.

Im not tryin to be vulgar, Im not tryin to see any sex...I just enjoy what Im doing, and tryin

to make the best of it. (Zoomer Radio, TV Guide 1956). Elvis Presley didnt realize he was

opening the gateway for an entire new way of dancing that took the world by storm.

Along with his dance moves, he was known for his style of dress. He wasnt influenced

by any particular person, he just enjoyed wearing colors and fitting in with the style of dress in

the 1950s as his career began. As his career span across the decades, he began wearing jewel

studded white jumpsuits and colored scarfs he would throw to the crowd during his concerts. He

was also known for his thick long sideburns and slicked back hair. (The Idle Man, 2017) This

was a growing trend in the 1950s and through the 1970s.

Elvis Presley lyrics are diverse throughout his career. He was influenced by society and

racial barriers of the time (Graceland Home Page) Elvis Presley was known as the King of Rock

and Roll. His musical influence was deep rooted in his gospel upbringing and southern roots.

His most famous songs were Heartbreak Hotel, Blue Suede Shoes, Love Me Tender, All

Shook Up and Return to Sender. Even today, audiences who did not live during the time of

his singing career, are aware of the songs and can sing the melodies.

Elvis Presley left a positive impact on societys culture by breaking the barrier to

freestyle dance moves. He not only changed societys way of thinking, but also the way society

viewed a singer. Elvis Presley went on to be a number one most watched performer. My mom

was 14 and living in Memphis, TN when Elvis died. She remembers the town and world going

into shock at the lost of a legend. Several of her friends had tickets to his concert later in the

month, but decided not to get a refund because the tickets meant so much to them as a keepsake.
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690 Words
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Citations

Emling, Shelley. 10 Classic Elvis Dance Moves In Honor Of The King's 80th Birthday.

The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 7 Jan. 2015,

www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/07/elvis-presley-birthday_n_6431940.html.

Harb, Alissa. Elvis Presleys 10 Signature Moves. American Profile, 24 Apr. 2015,

americanprofile.com/articles/elvis-presley-dance-video/.

June 5, 1956 - Elvis Appears on Milton Berle. Zoomer Radio AM740, 5 June 2012,

www.zoomerradio.ca/on-this-day/june-5-1956/.

Elvis Presley's Style Through the Years. The Idle Man, 3 Oct. 2017,

theidleman.com/manual/advice/elvis-presley-style/

http://menstylefashion.com/elvis-presley-king-of-fashion-trend-setting/

Elvis Presley Biography. Encyclopedia of World Biography, www.notablebiographies.com/Pe-

Pu/Presley-Elvis.html.

Elvis Presley - Graceland Memphis TN - Home of Elvis Presley. Graceland,

www.graceland.com/.