"In Elvis's Shoes"
[145 BPM, C Major, male vocals: Low/Mid pitch]
[Intro:]
I hit bottom back in Nashville…
…my dreams and my money ran dry
My voice was once full of fire…
…now it’s just askin’ why oh why
Then I boarded an out-of-town bus…
…and headed down Highway 51
Down south to the city of Memphis…
…down south to chase the ‘One’
[Verse 1:]
I walked down Beale, past Main…
…there was a rhythm in the cracks
I swear I heard the spirit of the King
…whisperin’ to me as I passed the tracks
The neon hummed above Orpheum’s door
…like it knew what I was really lookin’ for
Then I stood at the foot of his statue…
…where I looked up and saw the light
I didn’t care if it was wrong…
…I didn’t care if it was right
[Chorus:]
Yeah I’m singin’ in my “Blue Suede Shoes”
From “Heartbreak Hotel” to the rockabilly blues
No, I couldn’t make it in Nashville…
…but honey, I sure ain’t through
‘Cause Memphis gave me somethin’ sacred
…somethin’ strange, but somethin’ true
So every Friday I’m channeling’ “Moody Blue”
…right here in the City of Memphis
…right here in Elvis’s shoes
[Verse 2:]
Sun Studio called out to me like a sacred hymn
…I heard the Colonel say, “Come right on in”
I was surrounded by glittering gold records
From “All Shook Up” to ”Your Cheatin’ Heart”
Then I stood before the Gates of Graceland
Where Elvis nodded and smiled…
…I know he wanted me to play the part
[Verse 3:]
I ate breakfast down at the Arcade Diner
Where the waitress always called me “Son”
She said, “Colonel’s waitin’ in the last booth. down”
as soon as I slid in, he said, “Let’s get it done!”
With his hat and his cane and his fried-banana plan
Then he leaned in and whispered…
“The King’s been watchin’ you, my friend!”
Then he sent me over to Lansky Brothers
Where I picked up my sequined suit and cape
Strutted out with a curl and a mission
…without a plan for my escape
[Verse 4:]
Now I perform on the corner of Beale and Main…
…with several milkcrates as my throne
Takin’ selfies with drunks and tourists…
…and a broken rhinestone microphone
They say I talk to traffic cones like old bandmates
But I swear I saw Elvis at Graceland’s pearly gates
Now I livestream sermons from my own Jungle Room
Preachin’ his gospel in a powder-blue jumper costume
[Chorus:]
Yeah I’m singin’ in my “Blue Suede Shoes”
From “Heartbreak Hotel” to the rockabilly blues
I couldn’t make it in Nashville…
…but honey, I sure ain’t through
‘Cause Memphis gave me somethin’ sacred
…somethin’ strange, but somethin’ true
So every Friday I’m channeling’ “Moody Blue”
…right here in the City of Memphis
…right here in Elvis’s shoes
[Instrumental Outro:]
So if you see me on Union, or down on South Main
Don’t mind the glitter or the gold-lamé with a stain
I’m not crazy — I’m just payin’ my dues
Walkin’ proud in Memphis…
Walkin’ proud in Elvis’s shoes.
[END]
Song Description
“In Elvis’s Shoes” is a blues-rock storytelling song about a down-and-out dreamer who crashes and burns in Nashville, only to reinvent himself — a little too enthusiastically — on the streets of Memphis. Wandering into Sun Studio, Graceland, and the Arcade Diner, he claims to receive visions from Elvis and the Colonel, slowly transforming into a self-proclaimed messiah of rockabilly revival. Both satire and tribute, this song walks the line between delusion and devotion, glitter and gospel. A musical love letter to Memphis and the myth of The King.”
