Congratulation as Author Ken Sharp, in the introduction to his lunch of his new book, ‘Writing for the King” Elvis Presley: A Master Stylist Who Transformed Every Song He Touched

 

In the world of music, few artists have had the profound impact that Elvis Presley had on the landscape of modern sound. As a cultural icon and musical chameleon, Presley’s ability to absorb and adapt various musical styles made him a transcendent force in the entertainment industry. In his career, Presley recorded an impressive array of material, spanning genres from rockabilly to blues, pop, gospel, and even socially conscious anthems. Author Ken Sharp, in the introduction to his book *Writing for the King: The Songs and Writers Behind Them*, gives a fascinating insight into the songwriting process and how Presley’s unique approach to each song played a significant role in shaping the iconic music we know today.

Sharp recounts his conversations with over 140 songwriters whose works Presley made famous. Most of these songwriters remarked on Presley’s remarkable ability to capture the essence of a song and truly make it his own. It was as though Presley was a musical geneticist, drawing from every strand of DNA embedded within a song and then using that genetic material to shape his own distinct and personal interpretation. This gift of transformation was central to Presley’s success, as it allowed him to take a wide variety of songs and breathe new life into them, elevating them into something unforgettable.

One of the most telling aspects of Presley’s artistry was his versatility. He could seamlessly move from genre to genre, each time putting his own unique stamp on the material. Sharp highlights this versatility by drawing attention to the wide stylistic swath of songs Presley recorded throughout his career. Take, for instance, Junior Parker’s rockabilly anthem “Mystery Train,

” a fast-paced, high-energy track that Presley infused with his signature blend of rebellious spirit and rhythmic groove. Or consider Otis Blackwell’s “All Shook Up,” a playful and catchy pop tune that Presley turned into a vibrant and energetic anthem of his own.

Presley was equally adept at interpreting blues, as demonstrated in his rendition of “Reconsider Baby,” a soulful and poignant track where he embraced the raw emotion of the genre, while adding his own flavor of heartache and longing. And then there is the operatic grandeur of “It’s Now or Never,” a song based on the Italian classic “O Sole Mio,” which Presley turned into a sweeping, romantic ballad that became one of his most memorable hits.

Presley didn’t shy away from more controversial or socially conscious material either. Songs like “If I Can Dream” and “In the Ghetto” stand out as anthems of hope and awareness, touching on social issues with a level of sincerity and depth that few other artists at the time could match. These tracks showed Presley’s ability to reflect on the world around him and use his platform to address important issues through the universal language of music.

In the 1970s, Presley’s introspective side came to the forefront with songs like “Separate Ways” and “Always on My Mind.” These tracks found him grappling with personal emotions and relationships, a theme that resonated deeply with his fans. Presley’s delivery of these songs, though deeply personal, spoke to the broader human experience, further cementing his ability to connect with listeners on an emotional level.

Through all of these songs, it’s clear that Presley was more than just a singer—he was a master stylist. His ability to take a song and infuse it with his own voice, energy, and emotion set him apart from his peers and solidified his place as one of the most influential musicians in history. What made Presley so special wasn’t just his voice or his charisma, but his innate ability to understand a song’s DNA and transform it into something new. Whether it was the swagger of the blues, the grandeur of opera, or the heartbreak of an introspective ballad, Presley could shape a song into his own, breathing new life into every piece of music he touched.

In the end, the legacy of Elvis Presley is not just about the hits or the spectacle, but about the depth of his artistry. From the start of his career until the very end, Presley’s journey through music was marked by his unparalleled ability to take any genre and make it his own. Ken Sharp’s *Writing for the King* serves as a testament to this ability, as it chronicles the stories of the songwriters who gave him the material and reflects on how Presley transformed their work into something entirely unique.

In listening to his vast catalog, from “Mystery Train” to “If I Can Dream,” one can hear the breath of a master stylist—a man who, through his own musical genius, created a lasting legacy that continues to inspire artists and listeners alike.