Elvis Presley - "A Big Hunk O' Love"
Hit Number 1: August 10, 1959
Stay at Number 1: 2 Weeks
It was only a matter of time before the King would show up in this blog. Elvis Presley is one of the most influential and iconic figures in music history, and maybe just history in general. His career spanned from the mid 50s, to his untimely death in 1977 from cardiac arrest at the age of 42. However, his first #1, "A Big Hunk O' Love", is sometimes forgotten in the shadow of so much of his other hits.
Presley was originally born in Tupelo, Mississippi before his family moved to Memphis when he was 13. His career began in 1954 when he was working with Sam Phillips at Sun Studios, who also worked with future entry in this blog Roy Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis. A couple years later, RCA Victor acquired Presley's recording contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who would become Presley's manager. In 1956, Presley had his first RCA Single "Heartbreak Hotel" which became a #1 hit on the Pre-Hot 100 chart. (It's a 9) And thus the gigantic string of #1 hits for the King began.
Presley also had an acting career. He made his film debut in "Love Me Tender" before he was drafted into the military in 1958, and was forced to put his career on hold. When he returned from the military he had a new sound, and it was then that he started to come out with songs that are probably his most remembered. And it was those songs that seemed to make people forget about "A Big Hunk O' Love". Which is unfortunate, because "A Big Hunk O' Love" is an awesome song.
It really was the last hit by Presley, when Presley still had his true rock and roll sound. The song is very upbeat, and uses that blues template that made songs like "Stagger Lee" and "Kansas City" big hits. People in 1959 loved that sound, obviously. But "A Big Hunk O' Love" is so much more than that. It has great piano playing by famed pianist Floyd Cramer, and a kickass guitar solo by Hank Garland. Presley has a sort of plea in his voice, but at the same time, a confidence that indicates he knows he's gonna get his "big hunk o' love". I mean, he's not asking for much. Oh yeah, and another fun note on this song, is that it is from the only session that Presley had while he was in the army. Legendary stuff man.
Presley would hit #1 a few more times, so we will definitely see him again in this blog. But, this is the only time that we will hear his great rock and roll sound. He was named the King of Rock and Roll for a reason, guys. But something that I really love about Presley, is that he was able to change his sound pretty drastically, and still produce hit after hit. There wasn't many like this guy.
GRADE: 9/10
THE TWOS:
The Drifters' (who will eventually show up in this blog) "There Goes My Baby" peaked at #2 behind "A Big Hunk O' Love". It's an 8.
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