Elvis, in rehearsal for one of the gigs in Las Vegas, horsing around with his top-notch band. He began to sing “Froggy Went a-Courtin'” and the band jumps right in. It is manic, ridiculous, way too fast, and Elvis is making these little “tsk tsk” sounds on the beat which are so stupid and so funny. He’s having a ball. But the best part is when the song seems to be over, everyone stops, it appears to have just been a moment of letting off steam, and then Elvis starts in on a half-time version of the song, one of his signatures from the very beginning of his career.
Now, when you slow down “Hound Dog” to half-time, the Sex Potential comes bursting out of the song and out of Elvis. But when you slow down “Froggy Went a-Freakin’-Courtin'” to half-time, you sound like a bunch of goofballs, and Elvis cannot stop laughing. His laugh was one of his best characteristics. It’s a hoot, too, hearing all of these serious musicians basically jamming out to “Froggy Went a-Courtin'”. Listen to the piano player. Hilarious.
Okay, I give in. I can cross Elvis off my list of Things I Can’t Stand that Everyone Else Loves. You win, sheila.
VICTORY!!!
I am going to listen to this from now on any time I need a pick-me-up.
Today, on August 16, 2012……….I needed a simple reason to laugh. Of course, who else, but the man ……who possessed an incredibly infectious laugh, ……..Elvis……..could step forward to provide that special respite for me………..on this very special day! TYVM!
Oh my gosh, his laugh was so infectious and beautiful. Love, love, love that man!
Thanks for all the posts and re-posts this week. I can never get enough of you talking about Elvis. :)
Melissa
I am just laughing picturing that poor drummer in the opening part of the song. Like, he has to completely spaz out just to keep up.
We used to sing Froggy Went A’Courtin’ in grade school sing-alongs, but … uhm ….. not like this. Mrs. Kuhn used her autoharp, I believe, and it was some very chaste age-appropriate froggy courtin’.
This reminds me of the Elvis Game. We’d take a simple children’s song like “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and Elvis it up.
bybee………….I absolutely adore the idea of the ……….”Elvis Game”! What an incredible childhood memory to own!! TYVM!……….. for sharing.