Tag Archives: Elvis Presley

by | July 17, 2026 · 6:00 am

Unique records in RILM Abstracts

Since its launch in October 2009, Bibliolore has become a vibrant platform with over 1,870 posts exploring global music studies. The blog features a diverse range of topics, from Western music to global traditional and popular sounds, often inspired by significant dates, contemporary issues, and the celebration of both renowned and lesser-known musical figures. Interestingly, the blog has also showcased a number of unique outliers over the years highlighting the diversity of topics covered in RILM Abstracts of Music Literature, including animals, insects, and even food. Below are a four examples.

Music for cats (14 November 2012)—Features the compositions of David Teie, who creates music specifically tailored to engage domestic cats. His unique style draws inspiration from feline vocalizations and environmental sounds that capture a cat’s interest, incorporating genres such as kitty ditties, feline airs, and cat ballads.


https://bibliolore.org/2022/08/08/music-for-cats-ii/

Bug music (9 June 2014)–Explores David Rothenburg’s book, which analyzes how the sounds made by insects—such as cicadas and other humming, clicking, or thrumming creatures—may have influenced human rhythm and dance. The post highlights the intriguing connection between these natural sounds and the development of musical rhythm and synchronization in human culture.

https://bibliolore.org/2014/06/09/bug-music/

The Elvis sandwich (19 October 2015)–Celebrates Elvis Presley‘s fondness for the pan-fried peanut butter and banana sandwich, a dish that became almost as iconic as his music. This post chronicles the sandwich’s history in “Southern po’ folks cuisine”, highlighting its cultural significance and connection to Elvis’s legacy.

https://bibliolore.org/2015/10/19/the-elvis-sandwich/

Corn chip music (4 August 2014)–Examines the innovative creation of a musical passage by George Eapen of Frisco, Texas that mirrors the tasting experience of corn chips’ flavor notes. This unique composition is designed to be played while tasting the snack, allowing for a combined sensory experience that enhances both the enjoyment of the music and the food.

https://bibliolore.org/2014/08/04/corn-chip-music/

Comments Off on Unique records in RILM Abstracts

Filed under Animals, Food, From the archives

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

by | October 19, 2015 · 6:00 am

The Elvis sandwich

Elvis Presley's Favorite Sandwich Featured Peanut Butter, Banana, And Bacon

Some pop stars are remembered for their music, some for their style; but Elvis Presley may be the only one who’s also remembered for a peanut butter sandwich—not just any peanut butter sandwich, but one that adds bananas and sometimes bacon to the mix and is typically pan-fried or finished on a griddle.

The Elvis actually predates Elvis Presley. Indeed, the sandwich has its roots in what the food blogger Tina the Mom describes as “Southern po’ folks cuisine”. It seems as if every celebrity chef now offers a recipe for it, and in a food world that can never leave well enough alone there’s been a push to reinvent the sandwich in myriad ways.

What’s behind the fascination with this dense mess of comfort food? It begins with the fact that Presley, despite his royal status, always retained a fondness for the simple things in life. Then again, the Elvis isn’t quite so simple, and its over-the-top aspect is perhaps key to the appreciation of both man and sandwich.

This according to “Celebrate Elvis Presley’s birthday with a sandwich fit for a king” by Charles Passy (Speakeasy 8 January 2014).

Below, the King recommends milk with that.

Comments Off on The Elvis sandwich

Filed under Food, Popular music

Tagged as ,

by | January 8, 2015 · 6:00 am

Elvis and boogification

 

Most rock critics view Elvis Presley’s career as a progressive sell-out to the music industry, a transition from folk authenticity (the Sun singles of 1954–55) to a sophisticated professionalism epitomized by the ballads and movies of the 1960s.

This Faustian view is in essence just as romantic as the rags-to-riches American success legend—its apparent obverse—but there are major problems with such an analysis. In reality, the processes of creation, production, and consumption in modern mass societies are too dynamic and interactive to permit rigid historical, typological, or evaluative dividing lines.

In post-war America, a pure “folk” role, untouched by commercial influences, had become impossible. The performers that the young Elvis heard and learned from—gospel singers, bluesmen, and country and western stars—were commercial artists. Presley was a commercial artist from the start, and the continuities in his vocal style are more important than any rupture. His two most notable contributions to the language of rock and roll singing are the assimilation of romantic lyricism and a technique referred to here as boogification.

Contrary to most blues singers, Presley’s tone is full and rich, his intonation is precise, and his phrasing is legato. However, this lyrical continuity is subverted by boogification—producing syncopation and cross-rhythms—where he adds extra off-beat notes not demanded by words or vocal lines, splits up syllables or even consonants, and slurs words together, disguising the verbal sense.

This according to “All shook up? Innovation and continuity in Elvis Presley’s vocal style” by Richard Middleton, an essay included in Elvis: Images and fancies (Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 1979, pp. 151–161).

Today is Presley’s 80th birthday! Below, live in his home town in 1956.

Comments Off on Elvis and boogification

Filed under Performers, Popular music

Tagged as ,