Blue Suede Shoes

 

Elvis Presley was a singer and actor from the United States. He is known as the "King of Rock and Roll" and is considered one of the most important cultural symbols of the twentieth century. His energizing interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, along with a uniquely potent blend of inspirations spanning color lines during a pivotal period in racial relations, led to both immense success and initial controversy.

"Blue Suede Shoes" was recorded by Elvis Presley in 1956 and is the first tune on his self-titled first album. On national television, Presley performed his version of the song three times. It was also covered by Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, and a slew of other artists.  

It was standard practice in the 1940s and 1950s to record and release cover versions of popular songs, often in different styles or genres. RCA Victor intended to promote Elvis Presley as a rock-and-roll artist, and he thought a Presley rendition of "Blue Suede Shoes" would outsell the Carl Perkins/Sun Records original, especially given RCA's distribution and radio contacts. Presley was hesitant to record a competing version because he was signed to Sun Records and knew Perkins and Phillips. He eventually agreed to record the song in exchange for the label delaying the single's release. Scotty Moore plays two guitar solos in Presley's version, which also features Bill Black on bass and D.J. Fontana on drums.