Gillian Welch - Elvis Presley Blues

Gillian Welch and partner/Producer David Rawlings perform at St Lukes for the BBC Four Sessions in 2007.
This song was written by Welch/Rawlings for their 2001 album Time (The Relevator).
No copyright infringement intended! If copyright owner wishes the video to be removed please contact me directly. Thanks.

[@Carlvskansas]

just a country boy, combed his hair, put on the shirt that his mother made and he went on the air. such a great line.

[@rukeyser]

First time I heard this it felt like a miracle - like all that stuff, all that history of race and music, all that tender comprehension and compassion- somebody who can sing packed all of that into one short song ? So deft and swift and the harmonies so sweet & blue? You could build a class around the fit of language to story. A jewel.

[@annquinn6780]

Packing your experience into a short , perfectly phrased comment is a miracle . Listening to them and reading this - perfect . Thankyou

[@prilljazzatlanta5070]

Nailed it. Never heard a song about an icon that gets it like this

[@stacisandhas3937]

that is beautifully put, thank you... I love the word "miracle"

[@debrabeck9630]

Perfection. All my feelings about Elvis seemed complicated until that August 16 when he died. I heard it on the radio as I was driving home in Memphis, and I had to pull my car over to the side of the road. I was 23, and I couldn’t breathe. This song is everything real about Elvis, beyond any of the stories that are told. I play it without fail on the day of his death and his birthday.

[@nikki2836]

Made some tears fall with this song

[@chocolatefrogs1992]

The best song written about Elvis. Ever. Don’t argue with me.

[@LewisMeister1]

Probably right, but Carl Perkins' Cadillac has got to be up there too

[@anthonysalvati5868]

I contend that any song Gilliam Welch lends her voice too, immediately becomes the best song ever written on that topic, my God there is no one who sings like her.

[@enigmawyoming5201]

I ain’t gonna argue with you …. But I WILL argue for you!

[@CCharlieAngel]

Warren Zevon' "Jesus Mentioned" is right in there! But no argument.

[@lucas2718]

I've always believed that getting the right two voices together is THE most important aspect off a flawless harmony. They can both have their PhD's in vocal music, and that's not as important. They can individually have incredible voices, but that's not as important. One or both can even have only a mediocre voice alone, and that doesn't really matter. But when they sing together, it creates such a sound of oneness and synergy as to be almost hypnotic. David and Gillian have this in spades.

[@adambruns7262]

The sync among these two humans and their instruments absolutely mesmerizes and transports.

[@TheSpitmitt]

I was working as a lighting guy on the movie Grease when I heard Elvis died. My heart still is in pain. I love him and all the joy he gave me in my life. I am so glad and proud to have lived in the era of Elvis.

[@pdjhh]

They opened with this when we saw them last night. Emotional tune in an emotional setting.

[@MokaiMusic]

Brilliant lyrics, conveys the great affection for Elvis. Of course - as I'm sure someone else has mentioned - the song and guitar part are based on Mississippi John Hurt's version of 'Spike Driver Blues.' That song was about John Henry, the railroad spike driver, but Elvis is more relevant to us today, so a nice update on the tradition. I wonder what both Elvis and John Hurt would have thought about this.

[@Mygrassisblue01]

what blows my mind is that someone pressed the dislike button...go figure, this is one of the best songs that Gillian and David do, a work of genius

[@stevoschannel4127]

Just a country boy, who combed his hair, Put on a shirt that his mother made, And went on the air…Just sublime, the lyrics, the harmonies, the beautiful guitars…

[@johnwebb2531]

Pure music. Don't like Elvis, never did. but this song has haunted me for about 20 years

[@langsense]

Elvis was a brilliant artist, one of a kind.

[@Gabriel-gv1mx]

Out of interest, what genre of Elvis don't you like: blues, country, Gospel, Rock 'n' Roll, even jazz? Elvis was a genuine force of nature, an exemplary vocalist and a humanitarian. Little Richard, Crudup, Big Mamma Thornton, James Brown, Johny Cash, etc,- all these cats loved the guy, so he HAD to have had something.

[@Hands2HealNow]

This song brought me to the pure talent and roots of Elvis and I came to appreciate all his talents. This is pure truth of the boy.

[@msg238]

Don't like Elvis, don't like life.

[@dougdickason]

No one asked you about Elvis. I always liked him, since you brought him up.

[@DavidComdico]

Combining Elvis with John Hurt’s John Henry is not something that you’d immediately think of, but it makes perfect sense.

[@EADGBESTRAT]

They are so good live. If they're playing nearby, don't miss it.

[@eggamel]

This is such a wonderful quirky song...I can't get enough of it!!! I love watching these two play together...magic

[@rrrarf]

I was never into elvis really. But this song makes me appreciate him. I love this song. Also, I was so-so into gillian welch until I saw this duo live and now I love them both. David Rawlings is hilarious too!!

[@wsjohnston3956]

Perfect melody/harmony.

[@bobmarleystoe]

that man changed the world from bnw to colour.the king for a reason.

[@vinthony24hourcinema67]

Gold.

[@jontalbot1]

One of my favourites of hers. No idea why

[@evanliveshere]

I’m the same - no idea why. There’s certain songs that I can’t explain my connection to, it’s just deeply personal for no apparent reason.

[@jas8815]

God. This song!

[@Machin642]

Perfection is rarely achieved. And live too. This does.

[@davidattaway7236]

I am slain every time by that sublime breakdown into “I’m shaking like a man in a fuzzy tree”.

[@joehsmothers]

Essence of Elvis. What a song. What a performance.

[@fannyfu]

Music never gets any better than these two...and it never will.

[@georgepaciullo8260]

WOW! He shook it like you never seen. Incredible.

[@buckwlw]

It doesn't get any better than a song and a performance like this!

[@caseyco91]

I'm in love with Gillian she's the perfect woman. ❣️‼️👑

[@4775joshua]

Me too. That look in her eye is indescribable.

[@thomashermann2785]

That makes three of us

[@johnyoung3409]

Two voices have never been more perfectly matched. Absolutely divine.

[@Mygrassisblue01]

it does not get any better then this, incredible vocals which harmonize perfectly together, guitar playing is nothing short of genius. The song itself is a Masterpiece. A wonderful tribute to Elvis, very well written. I also love the tone David gets from that vintage 1935 epiphone arch top guitar.

[@normatillotson7909]

Derogatory comments here really mystify me; these two are sublime…subtle and perfectly cohesive

[@langsense]

Yeah, I don't understand it either.

[@bill_nj8543]

This is just breathtaking - so intense. 💖

[@timothymurphy9619]

Love it every time I hear it. Tim

[@rukeyser]

THANK YOU!!!!! one of the best songs about a historical figure EVER. and such a great video.

[@0ldfinger]

Beyond perfect, this is a work of art.

[@nhenriksen777]

2022.....Awesome perfection.....Elvis Presley....Gillian Welch

[@alisonkouzmanoff793]

Such a beautiful song.

[@Broonzied]

I would guess that there are not too many around who could do a blues about Elvis in the style of Mississippi John Hurt and pull it off. Bold and brilliant.

[@andrewleibs]

Simply beyond praise.

[@larryleroux7573]

This is a profound song , it' expresses the grist of what Elvis did . Stripped down to the shining glorious bones . If you love Elvis you cannot be moved by this cutting deep beautiful tribute . It's the hook that catches in your throat . Sublime , does not diminish after many listens . Thankyou Dankie

[@stephencopping9953]

A little bit of heaven in a crazy world humbling !

[@scottkidwell3601]

I keep coming back to this. So, thank you. What a gift to be able to share. Such talent in songwriting and performance.

[@fpatrickcoyne1]

Launched me right into the ozone , absolutly incredable!

[@michaeldrennan9932]

Personally, I'm not a big fan of Country music at all!! BUT Just ran across this artist tonight cause for some reason, this song came up while jamming to tunes, then the studio version of this came on and OMG I was Absolutely Floored!! Never Ever even heard of her and don't know why this even got in my playlist but WOW, So Impressed Me!!!

[@swarterman866]

Oh yeah, here too. Not a big elvis fan either, but...She's just wonderful isn't she ? What a voice!

[@johnwise7693]

Well, lucky you-Gillian and David have a treasure trove of tunes for you!

[@etheob]

They shocked the #@#& outta me the first time I heard ‘em. Years ago, their first album and I think their first time on Austin City Limits. With the TV muted, I was cleaning house and about to vacuum the floor when I happen to look up and see these two. The guy was obviously in the middle of a guitar solo moving around kinda weirdly. So I Stood there, unmuted the tube, and ending up standing in that same position, frozen, staring and listening two ‘em. I was blown away!

[@roygunter3244]

Since the first time I saw David Rawlings playing that little Epiphone I have been in love with it. The archtop is the way a guitar should be made and that one has a voice like an angel. 75 or 80 years old and still singing in the hands of a master, wow. The song is amazing as is Ms Welch but man that guitar.

[@bobaldo2339]

And thankfully, he and Gillian do not put those damn pickups in their acoustic guitars, but play them directly into microphones so we can actually hear what they sound like.

[@colinglidden5702]

Simply a perfect emotionally imbued song..beings me to tears, and I'm not sure why. Art at its finest.

[@jdavis417]

...And the crowd's like, "Just another world-class performance. Ho-hum." They're the ones who ring like silver & shine like gold!!! I think I'll listen again. :)

[@DaveLynn1000]

20 people just don't have a clue. I pity the fools. This is high class blue grass, baby!!!!

[@MrCharlieroo]

+Dave Lynn dave and gil are great BUT, no such thing as "high class" blue grass.

[@sherryokey111]

Absolutely Beautiful - thier voices are in wonderful harmony - it is candy to my ears - Very Sweeeeeeeeet ! - R.I.P Elvis

[@denisevernon354]

Completely agree a complete story perfectly told.

[@joshcarus7771]

Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile play this every night in the encore and let me tell you I thought it was the best song of the night when I saw the show.

[@kjferguson]

Wow beautiful vid, thx. Never seen anyone duet without looking at each other. What a gift to have such a beautiful voice.

[@MrPotatochips4]

"... an he shook it like to beat that steam drill, baby, well bless my soul, bless my soul!"

[@KeelyBurnMusic]

The choice to start the chorus on the minor chord is what really makes this song interesting to me... it would have been easy to make this a two-chord song and return to familiar territory on the chorus, but the inclusion of the VI makes it so sweet and melancholy. Beautiful song.

[@peterwilliamson4296]

Love that musician minded discussion.

[@cpresto2]

100%

[@dougcameron6609]

@@peterwilliamson4296 Look into it a little bit , it’s simple. Pick up a guitar, learn how keys work. You will never hear music the same again.

[@peterwilliamson4296]

@@dougcameron6609 Thanks Doug, I really think I will do that at some point. Take care and best wishes to you from down in New Zealand.

[@toterola451]

If you ever get a chance to see these two (they'll be at HSB in Oct!), do yourself a favor! God they're excellent!

[@unabombertampon]

My little sister was named after Gillian Welch.

[@Gugge004]

Wow! This gives goosebumps! It amazing, so much love in that song even though it's very sad. I must say, this is a perfect song!

[@jeffreyporto8113]

I am floored a true gift.

[@ChrisCalder17]

Thank you very much for posting this. I've been looking for it since i saw it about a year ago. The timing and harmony between these two is fantastic. Undoubtedly one of the best parnerships of all time.

[@dallopurcell8633]

it's beautiful

[@Zepplin808]

Beautiful. Chills every time i listen

[@flagal519]

Very well done song from stellar artists. It has a tragic undertone, bittersweet. Beautiful but painful to listen to, if you really loved him. They captured all the emotions, a haunting view into the history of the King. Whoever wrote this song was a genius.

[@BonelishOfficial]

Gillian Welch is also the songwriter. Tom Jones' recent version is noteworthy.

[@pulseorca928]

Spike Driver Blues - Mississippi John Hurt (the inspiration is undeniable. Not a direct steal, but an obvious borrow.)

[@BlindSoothsayer]

Damn, I think this must be the most polite thread I've ever seen on youtube. Thanks for keeping it classy guys!

[@BlindSoothsayer]

RIP Elvis. 0 BC - August 16, 1977.

[@megadivine111]

love it...brings out Gillian's blues

[@kwestmoreland100]

Just gorgeous harmonies, wonderful sound on the guitar. I love the song and the honor bestowed upon the Greatest Interpreter of the World's Songs. Thank you for this.

[@crutchfieldgirl]

The best homage to Elvis Presley ever. He DID shake it like a chorus girl. I never thought about how he wanted to make his exit. Not getting wider and wider polyester suits and playing in seedier Vegas clubs for years certainly. He probably did wish he'd gone out like a legend, in his prime... connecting it with John Henry is genius. Don't know what the man in the fuzzy tree stuff is about though. Hauntingly beautiful song.

[@1palabratuyabastara]

La Gillian Welch es tremenda!

[@judgedbytime]

oh. my. god.

[@roni1983]

the way she says that line at the beginning, with that calm southern tune that she adopted from her years in Nashville... sounds like a melody to me

[@theHOARDlife]

excellent. i love her voice.

[@michaelmorphites6733]

I was thinking that night about Elvis Day that he died, day that he died I was thinking that night about Elvis Day that he died, day that he died Just a country boy that combed his hair And put on a shirt his mother made and went on the air And he shook it like a chorus girl And he shook it like a Harlem queen He shook it like a midnight rambler, baby Like you never seen I was thinking that night about Elvis Day that he died, day that he died I was thinking that night about Elvis Day that he died, day that he died How he took it all out of black and white Grabbed his wand in the other hand and he held on tight And he shook it like a hurricane He shook it like to make it break And he shook it like a holy roller, baby With his soul at stake I was thinking that night about Elvis Day that he died, day that he died I was thinking that night about Elvis Day that he died, day that he died He was all alone in a long decline Thinking how happy John Henry was that he fell down and died When he shook it and he rang like silver He shook it and he shine like gold He shook it and he beat that steam drill, baby Well bless my soul He shook it and he beat that steam drill, baby Well bless my soul, what's wrong with me? I'm itchin' like a man on a fuzzy tree On a fuzzy tree I was thinking that night about Elvis Day that he died, day that he died I was thinking that night about Elvis Day that he died, day that he died Just a country boy that combed his hair Put on a shirt his mother made and he went on the air And he shook it like a chorus girl He shook it like a Harlem queen He shook it like a midnight rambler, baby Like you never seen

[@marycarey6854]

This is a perfect song! The minor key, the lyricism and the marvelous harmonies all fit in a complete frame!! Thank from the bottom of my heart. Blessings and safety to you both. A truly inimitable perfect performance 👏 👌

[@stevelever83]

Brilliant 👏

[@2muchstrings]

great song

[@lytation]

Friggin killer song.

[@heidikalin2753]

Awesome. The King would love this. Reminds me of Lover by Lilium.

[@thiamineh]

I sould have told you before how you and David have brightened up my life and how you wrote the best tribute song to Elvis Presley .....and I know we all have our faults , but as long as we have people like you and your beautiful songs..I guess we're gonna be okay....

[@ripplesandhu9054]

That time that this song was introduced to the folks outside of Big Lots…. Parking lot epiphanies xoxoxo

[@johnj9030]

I love this live version!

[@vap413]

Wow. What a perfect duo. Rawlings' harmonies are so beautiful. Thanks for putting this up, I'd love to see more.

[@simmons1969]

So good!

[@bertdorf3]

Freakin' FANTASTIC song!

[@Manawakitepuhoro]

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE it!!:p

[@Musa622]

i heard this covered last night at sunny's in red hook, brooklyn and my god! what a song.

[@12234nic11234]

these two together are simply amazing,

[@Sivle-Nora]

realy like this song

[@markdunn6610]

Dave is a fcking genius, and Gill is too

[@livewire4495]

Outstanding!

[@joedumoulin]

Brilliant song thank you so much

[@PaulMcMinotaur]

I just heard someone use an AI program to beautifully and instantaneously reproduce a popular song, and this song has never been more meaningful to me. Bless your soul.

[@kalamityfame2609]

Lovely.

[@Redriverla1]

What an incredible talent

[@annaguz3629]

so beautiful

[@TheMichaelDStorey]

Lovers who make magic. What a Gift. Brings to mind Byl & Roach Carruthers

[@008overrated]

Magical.

[@vichy7661]

Gillian & David make their own brand of music perfectly unique sounding rythms, very ear-gasmic.

[@matchismo]

Love those gold tops.

[@nina1823]

Very moving song about Elvis, great!

[@68ComebackSpecial]

thank you

[@dadzbluz]

(INTRO) Gillian: "I wanted to see if the sun was down yet - We don't dip into the dark and pitiful numbers until - We got a little while to go..." Hmmmm hmmm mmm... I was thinking that night about Elvis Day that he died, day that he died I was thinking that night about Elvis Day that he died, day that he died Just a country boy, he combed his hair And put on a shirt his mother made and went on the air Well he shook it like a chorus girl And he shook it like a Harlem queen He shook it like a midnight rambler, baby Like you never seen, never seen, like you never seen I was thinking that night about Elvis The day that he died, day that he died I was thinking that night about Elvis The day that he died, the day that he died Cause he took it all out of black and white Grabbed it one in the other hand and he held on tight And he shook it like a hurricane And he shook it like to make it break And he shook it like a holy roller, baby With his soul at stake, with his soul at stake, with his soul at stake I was thinking that night about Elvis Day that he died, day that he died I was thinking that night about Elvis Day that he died, day that he died He was all alone in a long decline Thinking how lucky John Henry was that he fell down and died When he shook it and he rang like silver He shook it and he shine like gold He shook it and he beat that steam drill, baby Well bless my soul, bless my soul He shook it and he beat that steam drill, baby Well bless my soul, what's a wrong with me? I'm itchin' like a man on a fuzzy tree, on a fuzzy tree, a fuzzy tree I was thinking that night about Elvis Day that he died, day that he died I was thinking that night about Elvis Day that he died, day that he died Just a country boy, he combed his hair Put on a shirt his mother made and he went on the air And he shook it like a chorus girl And he shook it like a Harlem queen And he shook it like a midnight rebel, baby Like you never seen, never seen, like you never seen, never seen

[@kurtlewis1292]

Does anyone else listen to this and WONDER at the beauty and uniqueness of the song? I understand Elvis isn't as much of a "thing" as he was a few years ago, but the vibe is so different. It's also fun to listen to Joan Baez's version - slower and much darker.