Snowbird..you like the song ?

[Ciscoking]

I just heard it in the radio in my car...and it reminded me what a beautiful song this is..I really like it..a catchy tune...with fine rhythm and voice...what do you think..?

[jeanno]

Nice song to sing along. Beautiful vocals by our Man.
Not the best choice to open "Elvis Country" but still great to listen to 47 years later.

[stevelecher]

I like the song by Anne Murray. Elvis' key is too low and it's such a blatant cover of her version. He added nothing.

[rlj4ep]

I like the song a great deal. Anne Murray's version is very good. I enjoy Elvis' version a great deal as it moves nicely and Elvis sounds (to me at least) committed to the song. I think it is a good lead in song for the Elvis Country album. The live version I have heard is good, especially Elvis' comments at the start of the song! A funny moment.

rlj

[TCBell]

I like the song and prefer Elvis's version to Anne Murray's. I actually think it is a perfect opener to Elvis Country, an album with a nice flow to it.

[Mike C]

Yes, I like the song very much, as did my late grandmother. Her son, my Uncle Phil, had loved Elvis' version of the song and played it often. He did tragically in his early 20s in a motorcycle accident. So, my grandmother asked me to play it for her so she could think of him for a bit when I would spend time with her.

[Johnny2523]

Snowbird Cuts Up!!

Nah.. all kidding aside. i love the song and it's been a favourite for a long time.

[drjohncarpenter]

I like the song by Anne Murray. Elvis' key is too low and it's such a blatant cover of her version. He added nothing.

IIRC, Elvis' cover is in the same key as the hit single by Anne Murray, but the arrangement is almost exactly the same, as you note. It's certainly a "catchy tune," and that's why it was Murray's first big hit.



..

Anne Murray "Snowbird" (Capital 2738, July 11, 1970)
Billboard "Hot 100" #8, September 26, 1970



But one can at least say Elvis added his enthusiasm for the song.

He would invest more in a song if really liked the material, and here we have him taping his own harmony vocal overdub on the 1970 master of "Snowbird." Of course, this is also what Murray did on her signature recording. Such similarities may also be due to the fact that Elvis' session date, 9-22-1970 (Tue), fell when Anne's single was peaking on the pop chart.

Regretfully, it must be said that, by this point, the Gene MacLellan tune was already a "signature" song for Murray. "Snowbird" was ubiquitous.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowbird_(song)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Murray

Especially in the 1970s, covering someone's "signature" song was simply a very uncreative move, and reflected an unfortunate trend for Presley that would continue into the new decade.

Below are more "signature" titles Elvis waxed between 1970 and 1976. Although some are terrific, none surpass the original hit version. It's a big reason his status as a vital, creative artist took a hit after 1970. Oh well.

You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (Dusty Springfield)
Snowbird (Anne Murray)
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)
Help Me Make It Through The Night (Sammi Smith)
Put Your Hand In The Hand (Ocean)
For The Good Times (Ray Price)
Spanish Eyes (Al Martino)
Fairytale (Pointer Sisters)
Green, Green Grass of Home (Tom Jones)
I Can Help (Billy Swan)
And I Love You So (Perry Como)
She Thinks I Still Care (George Jones)
The Last Farewell (Roger Whittaker)
I'll Never Fall In Love Again (Tom Jones)

[danodj]

beautifull song

[sweetangeline]

Below are more "signature" titles Elvis waxed between 1970 and 1976. Although some are terrific, none surpass the original hit version. It's a big reason his status as a vital, creative artist took a hit after 1970. Oh well.

You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (Dusty Springfield)
Snowbird (Anne Murray)
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)
Help Me Make It Through The Night (Sammi Smith)
Put Your Hand In The Hand (Ocean)
For The Good Times (Ray Price)
Spanish Eyes (Al Martino)
Fairytale (Pointer Sisters)
Green, Green Grass of Home (Tom Jones)
I Can Help (Billy Swan)
And I Love You So (Perry Como)
She Thinks I Still Care (George Jones)
The Last Farewell (Roger Whittaker)
I'll Never Fall In Love Again (Tom Jones)

...a couple that I do enjoy by Elvis...what`s your picks John??

[drjohncarpenter]

Below are more "signature" titles Elvis waxed between 1970 and 1976. Although some are terrific, none surpass the original hit version. It's a big reason his status as a vital, creative artist took a hit after 1970. Oh well.

You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (Dusty Springfield)
Snowbird (Anne Murray)
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)
Help Me Make It Through The Night (Sammi Smith)
Put Your Hand In The Hand (Ocean)
For The Good Times (Ray Price)
Spanish Eyes (Al Martino)
Fairytale (Pointer Sisters)
Green, Green Grass of Home (Tom Jones)
I Can Help (Billy Swan)
And I Love You So (Perry Como)
She Thinks I Still Care (George Jones)
The Last Farewell (Roger Whittaker)
I'll Never Fall In Love Again (Tom Jones)

...a couple that I do enjoy by Elvis...what`s your picks John??

Of that list of "signature" songs, he does well with "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" despite the overkill production, and maybe "I Can Help."

[Juan Luis]

I don't care about signature song or not. Don't like Ann Murray, so it was easy to love Elvis's version.

[sweetangeline]

I don't care about signature song or not.

...if your a music fan in general...it matters...

[Juan Luis]

I don't care about signature song or not.

...if your a music fan in general...it matters...

No it doesn't matter. It only educates you. And for a forum such as this. It might help someone try to IMPOSE their opinion upon others.
Many years past since I heard original signature songs by a few artists, cause I first heard the songs as covers. Sometimes I liked or loved the original version better. Sometimes I didn't, regardless of the original.

[Juan Luis]

"You Don't Have To Say You Love Me", bonafide hit by Elvis and gold record (respectable #11 Billboard #9 UK), as well. His version was so great that it became hit regardless of the such well-known Dusty hit.

[drjohncarpenter]

I don't care about signature song or not.

...if your a music fan in general...it matters...

Indeed, context is everything in understanding and fully appreciating the incredible life and career of Elvis Presley.

This is why I so often seek to provide it in my contributions to this discussion forum. Elvis is worth the effort!

[sweetangeline]

"You Don't Have To Say You Love Me", bonafide hit by Elvis and gold record (respectable #11 Billboard #9 UK), as well. His version was so great that it became hit regardless of the such well-known Dusty hit.

didn't need to be said...I love Elvis` version but that said it`s a "cover" and clearly "a Dusty original hit"

I don't care about signature song or not.

...if your a music fan in general...it matters...

No it doesn't matter. It only educates you.

...and education matters...at least it should but maybe not you...I can live with that!!

[drjohncarpenter]

...and education matters...at least it should but maybe not you...I can live with that!!

Education means one knows more, not less. How can that be a bad thing? As a bonafide fan, I love learning more about Elvis' life and career.

So the cover of "Snowbird" is entirely slavish, and does not change the fact that it's an Anne Murray "signature" hit. At least one knows that Presley's recording did not appear out of thin air, and that he really liked Murray's work.

Both of these facts are important, if one seeks to understand the artistry behind the man from Memphis.

[Juan Luis]

"You Don't Have To Say You Love Me", bonafide hit by Elvis and gold record (respectable #11 Billboard #9 UK), as well. His version was so great that it became hit regardless of the such well-known Dusty hit.

didn't need to be said...I love Elvis` version but that said it`s a "cover" and clearly "a Dusty original hit"

I don't care about signature song or not.

...if your a music fan in general...it matters...

No it doesn't matter. It only educates you.

...and education matters...at least it should but maybe not you...I can live with that!!

You clearly did not understand what I meant. I am not against education. But education has nothing to do to liking or loving a song regardless if it is a cover of a MONSTER hit. Do you get what I am trying to explain here? Or do you want to pretend you don't for the sake of argument.

[Fabbe]

I like the song, just makes me feel good but I don’t listen to it often




Inviato dal mio iPhone utilizzando Tapatalk

[sweetangeline]

...and education matters...at least it should but maybe not you...I can live with that!!

Education means one knows more, not less. How can that be a bad thing? As a bonafide fan, I love learning more about Elvis' life and career.

So the cover of "Snowbird" is entirely slavish, and does not change the fact that it's an Anne Murray "signature" hit. At least one knows that Presley's recording did not appear out of thin air, and that he really liked Murray's work.

Both of these facts are important, if one seeks to understand the artistry behind the man from Memphis.

yes totally agree!!

You clearly did not understand what I meant. I am not against education. But education has nothing to do to liking or loving a song regardless if it is a cover of a MONSTER hit. Do you get what I am trying to explain here? Or do you want to pretend you don't for the sake of argument.

Actually...I totally understood...you clearly missed my point and here it is plain & simple;

"I`ve talked "music" with many different people over many, many years...and if and when they wanted to know more because maybe they didn't at the time of the initial discussion they were always thankful for the additional info I related to the song in question...gong back to the original hit version...some were actually surprised of what they learned...but here this...none left my home ungrateful or with your attitude displayed below as they walked out the door...your shoulders must really hurt today;

Or do you want to pretend you don't for the sake of argument.

[Juan Luis]

...and education matters...at least it should but maybe not you...I can live with that!!

Education means one knows more, not less. How can that be a bad thing? As a bonafide fan, I love learning more about Elvis' life and career.

So the cover of "Snowbird" is entirely slavish, and does not change the fact that it's an Anne Murray "signature" hit. At least one knows that Presley's recording did not appear out of thin air, and that he really liked Murray's work.

Both of these facts are important, if one seeks to understand the artistry behind the man from Memphis.

yes totally agree!!

You clearly did not understand what I meant. I am not against education. But education has nothing to do to liking or loving a song regardless if it is a cover of a MONSTER hit. Do you get what I am trying to explain here? Or do you want to pretend you don't for the sake of argument.

Actually...I totally understood...you clearly missed my point and here it is plain & simple;

"I`ve talked "music" with many different people over many, many years...and if and when they wanted to know more because maybe they didn't at the time of the initial discussion they were always thankful for the additional info I related to the song in question...gong back to the original hit version...some were actually surprised of what they learned...but here this...none left my home ungrateful or with your attitude displayed below as they walked out the door;

Or do you want to pretend you don't for the sake of argument.

Why don't you just be honest? It is just attacking the 70's and the OP Ciscoking. My ass trying to educate. Did this go over your head? You "earned" some likes though I'm sure.

[sweetangeline]

Why don't you just be honest? It is just attacking the 70's and the OP Ciscoking. My ass trying to educate. Did this go over your head? You "earned" some likes though I'm sure.

...again I`m being totally honest...your bringing "your stuff" into it that does not belong...time to let some air out of that big head of yours and educate yourself...!!

[r&b]

I like it and I like Anne's too. I was a big fan of hers in the 70's and 80's. To me, they are about equal. Gotta agree with the doc though on his list. Although Elvis made some nice covers in that list, none surpass the originals. In fact I dont like several of the songs themselves and if I never hear the original or the Elvis version again in my life, that would be just fine with me.

[Juan Luis]

Why don't you just be honest? It is just attacking the 70's and the OP Ciscoking. My ass trying to educate. Did this go over your head? You "earned" some likes though I'm sure.

...again I`m being totally honest...your bringing "your stuff" into it that does not belong...time to let some air out of that big head of yours and educate yourself...!!

We'll your brainwashed if you think some of these educational posts were done without an agenda.