Elvis Presley, “That’S All Right (Mama)” “That’S Elvis Presley, by Sam Phillips

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Elvis Presley, “That’S All Right (Mama)” “That’S Elvis Presley, by Sam Phillips

01Whats That Sound2e 1-5.qxp 2/10/09 3:15 PM Page 83 83 THE BIRTH AND FIRST FLOURISHING OF ROCK ROLL GET wwnorton.com/rockhistory LISTENING GUIDE MUSIC Elvis Presley, “That’s All Right (Mama)” Words and music by Arthur Crudup, produced by Sam Phillips. Recorded and released on Sun Records in July 1954. FORM: Simple verse, with measures added in guitar verse, and both added and sub- tracted in last verse. TIME SIGNATURE: 2/4, employing a country two-step feel with alternating bass notes. INSTRUMENTATION: Electric guitar, acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, and lead vocals. Note that the slapping sound that might be mistaken for a snare drum is actually Bill Black slapping on his bass. 0:00–0:06 Introduction, 5 mm. Note strummed guitar and country feel, and entrance of the slap bass after the guitar begins alone. 0:06–0:26 Verse 1, 18 mm. Vocal enters, note electric guitar fills, “That’s all right, Mama . .” 0:26–0:47 Verse 2, 18 mm. Listen to how Presley swoops and shades the vocal line, sometimes moving from a low chest voice to a higher and thinner head voice. “Mama, she done told me . .” 0:47–1:10 Instrumental Verse, Chet Atkins–influenced guitar solo, 18 mm. 20 mm. verse extended by 2 mm. 1:10–1:30 Verse 3, 18 mm. As before, “I’m leavin’ town . .” 1:30–1:53 Verse 4, 20 mm. Presley improvises a bit using “di” during the first part of the vocal, the previous 18 mm. verse is shortened to 16 mm. then extended by 4 mm. to create ending..

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