Elvis Presley/Paul Oakenfold – “Rubberneckin'” (Remix CD-SINGLE)
RCA Records (11/09/03)
Rock / Electronic
Elvis Presley’s “Rubberneckin'” single with Paul Oakenfold’s contemporary remix brought Elvis to the dance floors again in 2003, as Oakenfold has had great success remixing Elvis to the masses. Elvis had previously proven that he indeed has staying power with the success of the Junkie XL-revamped “A Little Less Conversation” a year before.
This three-song single includes the original track that Elvis recorded in 1972, as well as the two Oakenfold remixes (12″ extended remix and a radio edit). The extended remix is over five minutes and trumps the three-and-a-half minute radio version. It’s catchy and well-done by Oakenfold, and I’d certainly be interested in hearing more techno-based Elvis remixes in the future.
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Elvis Presley – Heartbreak Hotel EP
RCA Records (1/20/06)
Rock / Oldies
The original version of “Heartbreak Hotel” was released on January 27, 1956, and was such a strong success for Elvis Presley because it was different than anything else out there at the time. It appeared on both the country and pop charts, as well as hitting #1 on Billboard‘s Top 100, where it stayed for eight weeks. On the country charts, “Heartbreak Hotel” was number one for 17 weeks and peaked at #3 on the R&B charts, showing that Elvis was truly crossing over all preconceived musical boundaries at the time.
This re-release of the single includes the original “Heartbreak Hotel”, as well as a “Take 6” version. The track is a sexy blues number where the bass complements Elvis’ commanding pivot between blues and rock-and-roll. Elvis also received co-writing credit on this song, which is important to mention because he rarely wrote any of his songs himself. Sandwiched in the middle is “I Was the One” which was also accompanied in the original release and is a good mid-tempo song to include.
“Heartbreak Hotel” is truly an Elvis signature song because not everyone who has chosen to cover this song can pull it off with the haunting rock and blues voice Elvis is able to give it, along with the perfectly paced bass, rhythm guitar, piano and drums that make this a rock classic.
This re-released single returned to #1 on the Billboard Hot Singles Sales Chart in 2006, again proving the staying power of Presley, as well as the power of good music from any generation.
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