31 quotes
Controversy Surrounds Elvis's Dance Moves
Elvis Presley
Some people wanted to put me in jail, because of the way I was moving.
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Embracing Artistic Freedom and Individual Choice
Elvis Presley
I'm going to do what I want to do. Sing the music that I want.
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Trust Yourself Above Others
Elvis Presley
There's a lot of people saying a lot of things. But in the end, you got to listen to yourself.
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The Power of Music in Difficult Times
Elvis Presley
A reverend once told me, "When things are too dangerous to say... sing.
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Rediscovering True Identity
Elvis Presley
I need to get back to who I really am.
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Elvis Presley Will Capture America's Attention Tomorrow
Tom Parker
Tomorrow, all America will be talking about Elvis Presley!
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Elvis Expresses Readiness for Change
Elvis Presley
I'm ready. Ready to fly.
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Critique of Elvis's Influence by Tom Parker
Tom Parker
Those know-it-all hippies had brainwashed Elvis, acting like he was one of them radicals, throwing his career away to sing spirituals with a bunch of longhairs.
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Elvis Discusses Consequences of His Performance Style
Elvis Presley
I ain't wearin no tails. I just... gotta lay off the moves, is all. Colonel says if I don't, they're gonna put me in jail.
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Forbidden Fruit and Unseen Risks in Music
Tom Parker
Now, I don't know nothing about music. But I could see in that girl's eyes, he was a taste of forbidden fruit. She could have eaten him alive!
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The Vision Behind Elvis's Stardom
Tom Parker
No, no, I didn't kill him. I made Elvis Presley. Nothing all those muckrakers said in their books was true. Me and Elvis, we was partners. It was Elvis the Showman and the Colonel the Snowman. I always knew I was destined for greatness. As an orphan, I ran away to the carnival, where I learned the art of the "snow job," of emptying a rube's wallet while leaving them with nothing but a smile on their face. But a carnival act that would get you the most money, the most snow, had great costumes and a unique trick, that gave the audience feelings they weren't sure they should enjoy. But they do. And I knew if I could find such an act, I could create the greatest... show... on... Earth.
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Elvis's Superpower: The Power of Music
Tom Parker
Comic book heroes all find their superpowers. Elvis found music.
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A New Approach to Performance
Elvis Presley
This ain't no nostalgia show. We're going to do something different.
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The Complexity of Love and Hate
Gladys Presley
I Hate Elvis".
Colonel Tom Parker
Yes. "I Hate Elvis". In my way of thinking, "I Love Elvis," that's an easy sell. Those who hate your son will do so whether we profit from it or not. After all, what is hate worth if it's free?
[to Elvis]
Vernon Presley
Oh, yeah. I get it.
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Urgency for Tonight's Performance
Tom Parker
Now you listen to me. The only thing that matters is that that man gets up on that stage tonight!
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A Mother's Fear and Coping Mechanism
Tom Parker
Since the day he was born, she had feared losing her second son. While he was in basic training, she worried and drank. Worried and drank.
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The Burden of Fame and Identity
Elvis Presley
I‘m so tired of playing Elvis Presley. People rely on me.
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Unawareness of Consequences
Tom Parker
He had no idea what he had done.
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Destiny: Inherent or Invited?
Tom Parker
Are you born with a destiny? Or does it just come knocking at your door?
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The Dynamics of Control in Music Relationships
Tom Parker
I always said, when it came to music, my boy knows best. But the special was my idea. It was a tremendous hit. We was back on top. But some people were putting ideas in his head that he didn't need me no more.
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Media Misrepresentation and Personal Accusations
Elvis Presley
The papers say I shot my mother and smoke marijuana.
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The Allure of Beale Street Music
Tom Parker
It was the greatest carnival attraction I'd ever seen. He was my destiny. Right under my nose... in Memphis. Just why a truck driver from Memphis, Tennessee, liked to hang out on Beale Street, I do not know. But it did him no favors, fitting into them white housing projects. He was crazy for that Beale Street music. Beale Street style. He had Beale Street stars in his eyes.
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Elvis's Commitment to His Parents' Well-Being
Elvis Presley
I would do anything to make sure my mamma and daddy never had to live in poverty ever again.
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Transformation of a Young Icon
Tom Parker
In that moment, in a flash of lightning, I watched that skinny boy transform into a superhero.
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Embracing the Moment in Life's Impermanence
Elvis Presley
I just got to be making the most of this thing while I can. This could be over in a flash.
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The Value of Attraction in Isolation
Tom Parker
That night, I happened to see him. Alone. Lost. A snowman is only as good... as his attraction.
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Revealing the True Essence of Elvis
Elvis Presley
I'm going to show you what the real Elvis is like tonight!
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Identity of a Promoter
Tom Parker
I'm a promoter. That's what I do.
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The Value of One Smart Decision
Tom Parker
It doesn't matter if you do ten stupid things, as long as you do one smart one.
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Colonel Parker's Claim to Elvis's Legacy
Tom Parker
For those of you who are wondering who this fella here is, I am the legendary Colonel Tom Parker. I am the man who gave the world Elvis Presley. Without me, there would be no Elvis Presley. And yet, there are some who'd make me out to be the villain of this here story.
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The Connection Between Movement and Music
Elvis Presley
If I can't move, I can't sing.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.