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.
I see that you have changed the title of your paper. I like it, it's very catchy. I like that you plan on pushing the envelope in your paper by discussing the African American community in relation to Elvis and how some say he stole music from them. I know you haven't come up with a definition yet but I am still very interested in learning about what the "Elvis Effect" actually is. Also since you are looking at rock music of the 50s and 60s, you might want to research if there have been any recent remakes of rock music from that time and by whom. This could be another way to give your paper some historical context and make it relevant and current at the same time.
ReplyDeleteYou have a very catchy title, one that makes the reader look at the subtitle because they wonder what kind of research paper Blue Suede Shoes would be about. I think that it is very important that the writers of some of his lyrics be mentioned within the research because without them, Elvis might not have become what he was and is today. However, I don't know if what he stole from African American culture changed anything. I don't know much about Elvis, but there might be a possibility that he wasn't very popular until he started using African American culture to influence his music.
ReplyDeleteI like it!! I like that you included the social segregation aspect. That's an important point, and I think you're off to a great start.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to sound dumb, but I didn't know that Elvis stole his musical ideas from African American culture. That is really interesting to me and kind of crazy that we call him the King of Rock and Roll. I don't mean to take away his credit or his influence on music though! It will just add to how he changed music and society.
ReplyDeleteI like your topic. I do not know much about the Elvis era so I think I will learn a lot. I am even looking forward to gaining a new respect for rock music.
ReplyDeleteAs said before, great title! I don't know if you have heard the song "Rock n' Roll" by Mos Def, he directly addresses the topic of Elvis stealing rock music from Black people. Here are the lyrics I found online:
ReplyDelete"I said, Elvis Presley ain't got no soul (huh)
Chuck Berry is rock and roll (damn right)
You may dig on the Rolling Stones
But they ain't come up with that style on they own (uh-uh)
Elvis Presley ain't got no SOULLLL (hell naw)
Little Richard is rock and roll (damn right)
You may dig on the Rolling Stones
But they ain't come up with that shit on they own (nah-ah)"
The title is awesome. I think you should look at newer artists who have similar stardom and musical contribution like Elvis. Before him no one knew the power of music or the pandemonium it can cause. The b.s.s effect is definitely on the good foot (<-James Brown reference) ^^
ReplyDeleteI love how you are taking something that you are so passionate about to a whole new level. The title definitely got my attention, and I think this will end up being a great research project!
ReplyDeleteIf you want to make a study on Rock N Roll I agree that Elvis a prime starting point. Anyone's normative knowledge would definitely conjure up Elvis references, but you're scholarly approach will really give the music fan new insight.
ReplyDeleteI like the concept of social segregation. I'd try to tie that in with today's music culture where I'd argue its even more separatist with countless genres and sub-genres claiming to be the new radicals.
It is interesting to compare your topic with the one on the commodification of punk culture. In a way Elvis commodified Rock culture. Keeping that in mind did Elvis have a positive or negative effect on rock, did he commercialize and ruin it or did he revolutionize it.
ReplyDeleteIt would be really great to give some example of the tensions that this issue created in society.
ReplyDeleteI like the new title and this topic remains very interesting. his impact on the culture as well as the music industry has been dramatic. i think illustrating how his presence impacted the way he was perceived; i.e. if he was black his music might not have the impact it does today.
ReplyDelete