Episode 38: “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
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The Nashville Sound
Elvis's first ambition, the aspiration he had right at the beginning of his career, was to be a member of a gospel quartet. Elvis wanted to have his voice be part of a group, and he loved to sing harmony more than anything else. Backing vocals weren't an irritating addition to Elvis's artistry, rather they were the essence of it. After recording Heartbreak Hotel, they took a break before spending another three-hour session recording another R&B cover that was a staple of Elvis's stage show, Money Honey.
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