Abstract

The Blue Suede Shoe Effect: How Elvis and Rock Music Shaped the Way Our Culture and Music is Today (277 Words)

This paper goes into the issue of rock music and how it has changed American society regarding class, race, and gender, starting with Elvis in the 1950’s.  Since Elvis started making music in the 50’s, he has changed the way we see, create, and listen to music ourselves.  Elvis started the musical revolution, and he also changed the way we see each other.  Before Elvis, women were not seen, or thought of as sexual beings, but because of his concerts, and his unspeakable hip movements on stage, women came out to express themselves more and were able to act how they wanted.  This paper will also discuss how Elvis was very much criticized for many different reasons.  He was mostly criticized for him bringing sex into the public eye.  Since sex was something that was not public at that point in time, him acting in that way was more than scandalous, and the older generations did not approve by any means.  They thought that he was corrupting the youth of that time, and because of his actions, he caused a large change in American society, making it more relaxed and less conservative.  The other main point of criticism of Elvis was the fact that he was blamed for “stealing” the music of the African American culture.  Since African Americans did not have the means to produce their music, Elvis used that to make his, and because of his music, he has laid out the foundation for all preceding musicians.  Without Elvis’ contribution to music, our society would not be what it is today, and many of the genres we listen to would most likely not exist either.

Topic Proposal

Title: The Blue Suede Shoe Effect

Subtitle: How the Elvis Effect Shaped the Way Our Culture and Music is Today

I am working on the topic of rock music and the “Elvis effect”, because I want to find out what important musical changes have come from it to help my reader understand how today’s music and society was shaped by the music of the 50’s and 60’s.

The topic I have chosen is about rock music and how it came to be what it is today because of Elvis.  He was, and still is very influential in many different genres.  This paper will address how Elvis is still as, if not, more influential today than he ever was.  Even though I have not yet found I tried and true definition of the Elvis effect, what it means to me is the impact he still has on us, how commercialized he has become, and how he paved the way for almost all other preceding musicians, even though he has been dead for 34 years.  This topic will also include how Elvis stole his musical ideas from the African American culture because they did not have the money or the means at that time to go fourth and make the music famous themselves.  Also, I am going to include how because of his new, controversial music, American society as a whole changed and became more relaxed and less conservative.  I can approach this topic by using history, sociology, and questioning.  These methods will help me to get deep into my topic and find out how Elvis is a historical icon and how he changed society.

This topic sparked my interest because I have grown up loving music, especially rock, and I have

always been told by my parents and many other people that Elvis started rock music.  Since I have had this idea in my head since I was little, I wanted to look into that statement further and figure out how true it actually was.  I want to figure out in depth, why Elvis was so influential and how his efforts helped shape what our society is today.

The background to this topic is social segregation.  A majority of the youth enjoyed this new genre while older generations did not have this appreciation.  Rock and roll could be seen as another divide amongst people, similar to that of religion and politics.

Is the King of Rock and Role Still the King of Rock and Roll?

How The Elvis Effect Shaped the Way Our Culture is Today


I am working on the topic of rock music and the "Elvis effect", because I want to find out what important events and changes have come from it to help my reader understand how today's music and society was shaped by the music of the 50's and 60's.


Research question: How did the "Elvis Effect" and rock music shape the way our culture is today?

Rock Music: The Path to Follow

Music is a very important aspect of many people’s lives.  Whether it is used for relaxation, entertainment, or bonding, music is something almost everyone uses and enjoys.    Even though every genre of music is important, rock music is one that stands out beyond the rest.  Because rock music is such an important thing in many cultures, especially in defining the American culture, it raises the question of what is the significant role that rock music has played on society and the American culture and what events have stemmed from it since it started in the 1960’s?  

Since Elvis Presley started the genre of rock music, it has given a whole new aspect and sexual enlightenment of the American culture.  Before Elvis started his music and rebellion against how society was in his day, musicians were very modest and wrote for the sake of the art of it.  Elvis challenged that thought process with being the most promiscuous artist of that time by the thrusting of his hips and moving in a way that made the audience think about sex.  He went beyond what any artist had ever done before, and because of that paved the way that we see music today.  

In our culture today, we can’t help but see remnants of what “The King” had laid out for the musicians that would follow him.  You mostly cannot go to a concert today without the lead singer acting in a way that is sexy and attractive, so that they can get the attention and admiring of their fans.  If a musician is boring and has no personality on stage, the chances are pretty good that the attention of the crowd will be lost and it will not be very exciting for them.  Being daring on the stage is something that Elvis certainly got right, as most bands after him replicate his attitude and even take it much further today.

Even though Elvis was the first real “rock star”, he paved the way for more than just rock musicians.  Pop is a direct stem from old fashion rock, and would most likely not even exist without out.  Even in country music these days have adopted the idea that being a sex object is something that will get you more noticed and will reward you with many more fans and a loyal following.  These are just some examples of how rock music is the important beginning to the way we see and listen to almost all music today.

Because of this new thought process of music, it changed the way that not only musicians, but regular people acted in their everyday lives.  This started the era of being your own person, thinking for yourself, and individuality.  Many people were limited by social and cultural norms and values, but this new music gave people the liberation to be who they want to be.  This is why rock music is so important in our culture today.
Word Count: 492

My Life Would Suck Without Music

Before I was even born, I loved rock music.  My parents told me that they went to a Van Halen concert while I was still in the womb, and they always say that they think that started my love of rock music and the whole music industry itself.  My life has mostly been devoted to the listening and learning of music because it is something that has at all times brought me happiness, and has interested me more than any other subject.  Listening to the stories songs tell, their meanings, and the beauty behind their sound has given me something to be passionate about.  Since I have been so interested in music my whole life, I looked for a major that I could hopefully incorporate it into my field of study which is why I chose Media and Communication Studies.  Learning about music and how it has changed and also how it has played an important role in people/society’s life is a main intellectual topic of interest for me.  In our country and in the world, people are bonded by many different types of music, even those they do not fully understand.  It is a common barrier between people of many different backgrounds and cultures.  Even if you do not necessarily have the same taste in music as someone, the art of music itself is something almost everyone can relate to.  Within my academic studies, I would also love to learn more about the music industry itself.  Currently I am looking to get a job with a radio company, but learning more about all the different aspects of the music industry can help me narrow down what exactly I want to do and rule out what I don’t. (Word Count 288)