Archive · 16 Aug 2025
Elvis's Borrowed Tunes: A Look at Song Origins and Credit
Imagine someone famous singing songs, but they don't tell you who wrote them first.
Elvis Presley was super popular, but he sang songs originally made by Black artists without always giving them credit.
The author explains how this helped Elvis become famous because his songs reached a bigger audience.
They also point out that when artists sing other people's songs, they should give credit.
The article discusses that it is important to remember the original artists who created the music, and how they were sometimes forgotten.
Elvis Presley, while a talented performer, did not always give credit to the original artists of the songs he performed.
Presley popularized music genres rooted in Black culture by performing them with his voice, reaching a wider audience.
The article suggests Elvis's success was partially due to the lack of acknowledgment of the original artists.
The author contrasts Presley's approach with the need for transparency in music, citing examples like Ali Sethi.
The author critiques the film 'Elvis' (2022) for not highlighting the origins of the songs.
- Who
- The author discusses Elvis Presley, and original artists like Arthur Crudup, Big Mama Thornton, and Jerry Leiber.
- What
- An analysis of Elvis Presley's music and his lack of acknowledging the original artists of the songs he performed.
- When
- The piece reflects on Elvis's career and the impact of his music on the music industry.
- Where
- Focuses on the music scene in the United States, particularly the influence of Black music and Elvis Presley.
- Why
- To encourage giving credit to the original artists and recognizing the roots of the music.
Artist Originality and Credit
Elvis's Popularity and Influence
Credit for Songs
Artist Originality and Credit
Original artists should always be credited for their work.
Elvis's Popularity and Influence
Elvis did not always explicitly acknowledge the original artists.
- Artist in question
- Elvis Presley
- Original artists mentioned
- Arthur Crudup, Big Mama Thornton, Jerry Leiber
- Movie Mentioned
- Elvis (2022)
- Music Genres Discussed
- Blues, Gospel, Jazz