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The King Meets The Fab Four: Elvis Presley’s Unique Takes on Beatles Classics
In the realm of music history, Elvis Presley and The Beatles stand as titans, often symbolizing distinct musical eras. The Beatles famously revered Elvis, with John Lennon once quipping that before Elvis, there was nothing. While Elvis Presley’s direct commentary on The Beatles’ meteoric rise was not always extensive, he implicitly acknowledged their profound cultural impact by interpreting some of their most iconic compositions.
Throughout his illustrious career, Presley reimagined several Beatles tracks, infusing them with his characteristic style and vocal delivery. Here are five notable examples showcasing how he uniquely transformed these songs:
‘Get Back’
Originally launched as a single in April 1969 and subsequently featured on the 1970 album Let It Be, ‘Get Back’ represented The Beatles’ return to a more organic, studio-based sound, enhanced by Billy Preston’s keyboard contributions.
Presley integrated ‘Get Back’ into a medley alongside his own hit, ‘Little Sister,’ during his 1970s Las Vegas residencies. This medley became a staple of his live performances, with numerous recordings from this period available. In contrast to The Beatles’ rendition, characterized by a consistent, upbeat rhythm, Elvis’ interpretation adopted a more relaxed and improvisational approach.
‘Yesterday’
‘Yesterday’ holds the distinction of being one of the most covered songs globally, boasting over 2,000 recorded versions by diverse artists. The Beatles’ original is a somber, introspective ballad primarily featuring acoustic guitar and a string quartet.
Elvis incorporated ‘Yesterday’ into his Las Vegas setlist starting in August 1969, often performing it in tandem with ‘Hey Jude’. His rendition emphasized piano accompaniment more prominently than the original and incorporated rich backing vocals, enriching the overall arrangement.
‘Hey Jude’
Released in 1968, ‘Hey Jude’ marked The Beatles’ lengthiest single release, exceeding seven minutes in duration.
Presley rehearsed ‘Hey Jude’ during his 1969 Memphis recording sessions with producer Chips Moman. A recording from these sessions surfaced on his 1972 album, Elvis Now. However, this version is considerably abridged and more understated compared to The Beatles’ expansive original. Unlike McCartney’s deliberate build-up to an emotional crescendo, Elvis’ version adopts a more informal tone, omitting the extended outro and concentrating on the song’s central theme.
‘Something’
Penned by George Harrison, ‘Something’ debuted on the 1969 album Abbey Road and evolved into one of The Beatles’ most acclaimed love songs. Frank Sinatra famously lauded it as “the greatest love song of the past 50 years,” and it continues to be one of the most frequently covered Beatles compositions.
Elvis performed ‘Something’ during his Aloha from Hawaii TV special in 1973, a broadcast event transmitted live via satellite to a global audience of millions. His rendition transformed the song into a power ballad, showcasing the dramatic orchestration and intense vocal delivery typical of his live performances during that era.
‘Lady Madonna’
Originally issued as a single in 1968, ‘Lady Madonna’ signaled The Beatles’ return to a more pronounced rock and roll style.
Elvis recorded his own version of ‘Lady Madonna’ in 1971 as an impromptu jam session in the studio. This casual recording remained unreleased until 1995, eventually appearing on the box set Walk a Mile in My Shoes: The Essential ’70s Masters. Elvis’ interpretation infused the song with a Southern flavor, accentuating its inherent blues elements.