One Final Serenade: Songs of Billy Joel
 Download "Elvis Presley Boulevard"
And I saw that silent mansion and I knew that I was lost
They were selling plastic souvenirs of Elvis on the cross "Elvis Presley Boulevard" was the B-side to the single "Allentown" released in 1982. It was a rare instance of a Billy Joel single being backed by a non-album track. The song is sort of lament about the hyper-commercialization of Elvis Presley after his death where they sell "plastic souvenirs of Elvis on the cross."
Before discovering The Beatles as young teen, Billy was a big fan of Elvis as a kid. His sister Judy had a portable turntable with "Elvis" written on the side. When Billy did an imitation of Elvis at elementary school in the fourth grade, complete with pelvic thrusts, it was a big hit. He was beginning to realize the power of rock and roll. Billy recorded covers of two of Elvis Presley's hits, "All Shook Up" and "Heartbreak Hotel," for the soundtrack to the 1992 movie Honeymoon In Vegas which featured Nicholas Cage and Sarah Jessica Parker. * * * * *
Billy recalls the inspiration behind his song “Elvis Presley Boulevard” from SiriusXM radio, below.
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Once long ago all the faithful held a show
Down at Elvis Presley Blvd. on Memphis radio Where the hopeless held a vigil and the nameless made the charts Where the losers lost their sorrow and the lonely left their hearts Step on these shoes and I'll see you in hell Love me so tender, I cried Save me a room at the Heartbreak Hotel I'm so alone I could die I took a ride with my baby by my side Down to Elvis Presley Blvd. where all the faithful cried And I saw that silent mansion and I knew that I was lost They were selling plastic souvenirs of Elvis on the cross Step on these shoes and I'll see you in hell Love me so tender, I cried Save me a room at the heartbreak Hotel I'm so alone I could die Drive down that road tonight Everyone has gone Nobody's home but the light's Always on Man I was beat I was driven by the heat Down to Elvis Presley Blvd., a one-way dead-end street And I smashed my car to pieces and I said goodbye to youth I heard all the ugly rumors but I could not face the truth Save me a room at the Heartbreak Hotel I'm so alone I could die Drive down that road tonight Everyone has gone Nobody's home but the light's Always on "Elvis Presley Boulevard" (1982) from My Lives (2005)
and the fourth CD on The Complete Albums (2011). |
Andy Warhol's Eight Elvises.