Elvis Presley vs. Michael Jackson vs the Beatles.

Sammy-San

Newbie
May 23, 2013
9,020
848
✟104,569.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
Sweet Caroline was by Neil Diamond, but it turns out that Elvis covered it.


Although I would have said that's a bit too lively to really be a ballad.

Is Sweet Caroline today more known as Neil Diamond or Elvis Presley song?

Also, what genre would you say Sweet Caroline is?
Love Me Tender would melt this gals heart. Got to see him sing it in person once too in Odessa , Tx.

How many times did you see Elvis in concert?
 
Upvote 0

Sammy-San

Newbie
May 23, 2013
9,020
848
✟104,569.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
Elvis early music wasnt very good IMHO. ly groundbreaking at the time but nothing comoared to what came later. When he got serious about music and not peddling rockn roll trash.

He actually didnt like it himself but it got him in the spotlight. He was better at ballads.

How do you know Elvis didn't like rock n roll music?
 
Upvote 0

zippy2

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2015
2,077
1,098
71
Texas
✟15,441.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
Is Sweet Caroline today more known as Neil Diamond or Elvis Presley song?

Also, what genre would you say Sweet Caroline is?


How many times did you see Elvis in concert?


I only got to see him the one time. But I do have a story. After the show, me and my girlfriends decided to go out to the airport and see if we could see his plane the 'Lisa Marie'.
And we did! And it was wide open. We even got to climb up on the stairs and look in. This flight attendant saw us and was real nice. She was making these HUGE sundaes for him and his entourage.

Then, we got back down and low and behold there was ELVIS getting off the bus. Course we waved and screamed and we all swore he looked 'right at us'. But he did wink and grin!. lol I bout fainted. It was a hoot.

But I tell you his concerts were absolutely ELECTRIC. I have never ever seen or felt such power in a room before or since.


Sweet Caroline really was Neil Diamond's if I remember right. I could be wrong
 
Upvote 0

Sammy-San

Newbie
May 23, 2013
9,020
848
✟104,569.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
I only got to see him the one time. But I do have a story. After the show, me and my girlfriends decided to go out to the airport and see if we could see his plane the 'Lisa Marie'.
And we did! And it was wide open. We even got to climb up on the stairs and look in. This flight attendant saw us and was real nice. She was making these HUGE sundaes for him and his entourage.

Then, we got back down and low and behold there was ELVIS getting off the bus. Course we waved and screamed and we all swore he looked 'right at us'. But he did wink and grin!. lol I bout fainted. It was a hoot.

But I tell you his concerts were absolutely ELECTRIC. I have never ever seen or felt such power in a room before or since.


Sweet Caroline really was Neil Diamond's if I remember right. I could be wrong

What year did you see Elvis in concert?
 
Upvote 0

zippy2

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2015
2,077
1,098
71
Texas
✟15,441.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
I recall reading in one of his many biographies he didnt much like rock n roll music. After performing it so much i think he grew tired of it.
I read where he sang mostly gospel for his friends and that seemed to be his choice of music toward the end of his life.
 
Upvote 0

Citanul

Well, when exactly do you mean?
May 31, 2006
3,420
2,618
45
Cape Town, South Africa
✟206,608.00
Country
South Africa
Faith
Methodist
Marital Status
Single
Is Sweet Caroline today more known as Neil Diamond or Elvis Presley song?

I'd say Neil Diamond. Whenever I've heard the song it's been his version of it, and I didn't know until you brought it up that Elvis had covered it.

Also, what genre would you say Sweet Caroline is?

I'd say probably pop/soft rock. Ballads tend to be slower and a bit more sombre.
 
Upvote 0

zippy2

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2015
2,077
1,098
71
Texas
✟15,441.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
Why do you think Elvis sang very little jazz or blues songs?

Why do you say that? Didn't he sing a mix? I guess I don't know that much about jazz or blues. He started out with gospel, then rockabilly, then rockandroll, ballads etc.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Sammy-San

Newbie
May 23, 2013
9,020
848
✟104,569.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
I think the difference between the Beatles and Elvis, as far as their impact on what came after is concerned, is the difference between influence and innovation. They both clearly influenced most everything that came after them; but the Beatles are the only one of the two who could be considered really innovative.

Sure, Elvis and Sam Phillips did something new(ish) which was largely responsible for his huge success. He mixed black music with Gospel music and it worked. But the thing is, that's not even something that can be solely contributed to him. There were certainly others doing the same, some before he did it. But the reason he got the airplay and the sales is because he was white. So, really, the only thing he did that was different, as far as the music is concerned, is to be the first white guy to perform that style of music. That certainly made it easier to sell that style to white kids in the 50's. Yeah, he was certainly a showman, but I'll take music over show any day. And as far as his voice, he was a good singer, but nowhere near being a great singer.

And then there is the Beatles. No band or musician has shown the innovation they have...ever. The music, the production, the recording techniques...The Beatles and George Martin actually created new sounds out of nothing. There is no way, regardless of how much you stretch it, you could say that either Elvis or Michael Jackson came anywhere close to that kind of innovation. Sure they had some songs that you could call silly, I guess. But with their extensive catalog, they get to do that. Even the songs that were mentioned by the OP ("Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite", "Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds", "Yellow Submarine") are far more complex than he seems to think they are, particularly when heard in the context of the album sides on which they're found. Honestly, I can't take seriously anyone who would suggest that the music of Elvis, regardless of how good it might be, could approach the sophistication and musicality of the Beatles. Elvis did dabble in a few different genres, certainly more than MJ, but I don't think he approached the stylistic diversity displayed if you listen to the entire Beatles catalog.

Other tidbits about the Beatles worth pointing out in light of some other comments in this thread:

1. I think Goodbook is probably the only person I've ever encountered to believes the Beatles couldn't sing. Seriously?!? Listen again, my friend. Paul and John (especially Paul) have two of the best rock voices of their era. Keep in mind that, just because Elvis sang gospel and they didn't, doesn't make him the better singer. Pau McCartney still has pipes.
2. As someone else has already pointed out, the Beatles (Lennon in particular) never believed they wer greater than Jesus. It was an off the cuff comment from John that had some real truth to it, but was misunderstood and misinterpreted. In fact, he was devastated in the crazy aftermath of that comment and upset because he didn't want people to believe he believed what so many were claiming he meant. He was genuinely sorry and quickly clarified what he was saying.
3. So the Beatles's songs won't last and be remembered beyond their generation because they're not Scripture? First of all, tell that to my 11-year old nephew who likes the Beatles. When you consider songs that are part of the nebulous "great American songbook", you will not find any song written by or made popular by Elvis or MJ. You will find many songs written by the Beatles. Elvis will always be known for his persona and legend. I can guarantee you that our great-grandchildren will be living in a world in which the Beatles are still being played and appreciated.

Yeah, I like the Beatles a bit. ;)

My ranking:

1. The Beatles
11. Michael Jackson
111. Elvis

1-How is his singing not great in these songs?




2-Are Paul Mccartney and Lennon your favorite singers of all time? If so, why do you think they sing better than Elvis? Elvis's rich singing voice is something that I don't think any of the Beatles could compare to, especially when you compare them to the Elvis songs I posted.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

Sammy-San

Newbie
May 23, 2013
9,020
848
✟104,569.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
There is not a song in the world you could put up there that he couldn't sing better than McCartney or Lennon or Jackson.

There is nobody like Elvis. I liked the Beatles. But Elvis is the best of all time.

Who do you think was more best-selling, Elvis or Jackson?
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

zippy2

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2015
2,077
1,098
71
Texas
✟15,441.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
How do you know? I've read MJ had about a billion sales, and unlike Elvis, he toured the world. Elvis only toured the US.

I don't know for sure, I was just asked what I thought. But each given the tech of their times, I think Elvis beats Jackson hands down.
Elvis started it all. imho
 
Upvote 0

Sammy-San

Newbie
May 23, 2013
9,020
848
✟104,569.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
I don't know for sure, I was just asked what I thought. But each given the tech of their times, I think Elvis beats Jackson hands down.
Elvis started it all. imho

What about Elvis do you think is better than Michael Jackson? I know people who argue that Michael Jackson was the greatest-better than either the Beatles or Elvis. I mean, Michael Jackson a career far longer than either the Beatles or Elvis. He lived until 2009. That is part of the reason why I think his legacy in music was the largest, not to mention only the Beatles had more record sales.
 
Upvote 0

zippy2

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2015
2,077
1,098
71
Texas
✟15,441.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
I think it is a generational thing. Elvis and the Beatles were in my youth. Michael wasn't. When Michael started out in the Jackson Five, we considered it 'bubble gum music' and wouldn't even listen to it. It wasn't until much later that my generation had any respect for Jackson's music, if they did at all. It's like my mom's generation was all crazy for Sinatra and I had to get older before I appreciated his music. Crazy, everyone likes the music they danced to as a teenager, etc.
 
Upvote 0

Dave-W

Welcoming grandchild #7, Arturus Waggoner!
Supporter
Jun 18, 2014
30,521
16,866
Maryland - just north of D.C.
Visit site
✟771,800.00
Country
United States
Faith
Messianic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Is Sweet Caroline today more known as Neil Diamond or Elvis Presley song?
I had never heard that Elvis covered it but almost everyone knows Diamond's version. (I believe he wrote it)
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Dave-W

Welcoming grandchild #7, Arturus Waggoner!
Supporter
Jun 18, 2014
30,521
16,866
Maryland - just north of D.C.
Visit site
✟771,800.00
Country
United States
Faith
Messianic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
hen Michael started out in the Jackson Five, we considered it 'bubble gum music' and wouldn't even listen to it.
Really? There is a big difference between "bubble gum" music and Motown soul.
 
Upvote 0