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Elvis Presley's first love was gospel music. I have most
of his songs including his gospel songs. One of my favorite songs is a
song called Life. It's a story about how the earth was created an formed
by God. Moreover, it's a story about and the creation of man.
The song
describes how God created the heavens and the earth. The oceans, the
mountains, and all the trees in the land. It describes the wonderful
relationship between God and man.
But then one day man fell. Because of
this fall, the whole plan was altered. However, like the Bible, the song
describes how God has given us another chance and how we can be
redeemed.
Another one of my favorite gospel songs is Peace In The Valley. I really
enjoy watching Elvis singing the song on Ed Sullivan back in the
fifties. Even in Elvis' early days, he really poured his heart and soul
out when singing gospel music.
I find it interesting and encouraging
that Elvis chose to use his up and coming frame in popularity to convey
gospel music and messages from the Bible.
I think when Elvis was getting more popular, the record labels, and his
manager, weren't quite sure how long he would be so popular. It was
their desire to use every bit of Elvis' popularity and fame to sell as
many records and as many concert tickets as possible.
Like any business,
their goal was to make as much money, as quickly as physically possible.
I'm sure Elvis was excited about bettering himself financially.
However, I have great respect for him because he insisted on singing,
and performing these gospel songs to communicate God's love to the
public. He didn't have to do that.
One could say that perhaps he might
have even been risking his popularity at the time. But Elvis didn't
care. His love for gospel music and the Lord was greater than any
worries he had about losing his popularity. It was even greater than his
worry of becoming poor again.
Singing gospel music and paying his own personal tribute to the Lord was
something that Elvis did throughout his career. Furthermore, there was a
point in his career that it did not matter what his personal beliefs
were, or what type of gospel song he sang along with his rock-and-roll
songs.
It didn't matter to the public or any of his fans. Elvis had been
tenured, so to speak, into the hearts and minds of people all over the
world.
He would sing a gospel song right next to a rock-and-roll song at his
concerts. In fact, this was one of Elvis's personal trademarks. He is
one of the only entertainers that I know of that could tear the house up
with a rock-and-roll song, then turnaround and sing a heart wrenching
gospel song.
Moreover, Elvis was able to draw tears from his audience
with one of his great gospel songs, and follow it up with a great
rock-and-roll song. In fact, Elvis Presley is the only entertainer I
know of that could do this, or at least pull it off so well.
There are many renditions and styles of gospel music these days.
However, Elvis is the innovator for creating gospel songs from jazz,
rhythm-and-blues, and even pop music. He could even take a traditional
gospel hymn, and turn it into a pop hit song.
He did all this while maintaining the song's gospel roots. Certainly he
could not have done this so well without having a heart for God.
Perhaps, that's the reason why Elvis' talent was sold blessed and so
loved. |
