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Elvis - the American Dream

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“It was like he came along and whispered a dream in everybody’s ear and then we all dreamed it.” Through his music, Elvis Presley made it easy for Americans to live the American Dream. He made it easy for people, especially teenagers, to take a break from the real world, and command center stage of their dream world in the confines of their own home. The American Dream is a vision with diverse sense and meaning from previous generations up to the generations of today. Many believe the American Dream is finding success and showing it off through “booby prizes”, when in actuality all of those little things are just part of the dream and not the final success. To achieve happiness within oneself is the true success, and if within this success a person is also able to gain “booby prizes”, these are just extras and not what compose the true American Dream.
It is no argument that Elvis had a way with music as his lyrics touched a variety of people. He grabbed the attention of teenage girls (and their angry parents) with his charm, curled lip, good looks and gyrating hips. Whether people saw him as a positive or negative influence, the question remains as to whether or not they really were listening to what he had to say. Elvis sang many different songs but it was his emotion and personal influence that made the songs as powerful as they were. Elvis showed America that a small town boy from working-class beginnings could rise to rock and roll legend in both life and culture if you’re willing to put in the work and dedication.
The “Dream” is important because everyone needs to recognize their own potential and what each one needs to do to achieve his own American Dream. In a way, Elvis got the ball rolling for the rest of America. He just opened up a door that no one knew existed. In the beginning, Elvis came from nothing. To him, growing up in the music business was a privilege, not a way of life. Managers and television hosts showered him with special treatment at times, but Elvis never wanted it. He wanted to be treated just like everyone else. In fact, when he joined the army, Elvis was offered preferential treatment where he could have spent his days in safety, entertaining fellow soldiers. Instead, he opted out of that offer and served his time as a “true” soldier. Elvis was like any other person on the planet; he just had a special talent that was shared with the world. Elvis had an American Dream but it wasn’t fame and fortune (booby prizes), Elvis wanted acceptance and respect from others.
It wasn’t so much Elvis’ music as it was his voice that won over crowds of millions. His voice is best described as angelic and he had the rhythm of a gospel singer, according to his fans. He brought Rock and Roll to an entirely different level. During the 1950s, his appearance impacted the youth in society. Elvis was a role model for teenagers and he was the perfect man in every woman’s dream. His signature sideburns, slick-backed black hair, loud outfits and pelvic thrusts swept the nation like wildfire. Elvis was the icon of the next generation despite how hard many officials tried to stop him. Even when he requested to enter the army, that didn’t stop his persistence to show the world he cared and was ready to serve as a man. Many thought that joining the army would “shape him up.” In a way it did, but it also showed everyone how dedicated he was as well as the positive influence he had on society and the youth in America.
As Bruce Springsteen stated, “….Elvis may have never fully understood the message he carried and consequently lived with the “consolation prizes for sellin’ yourself out or lettin’ the best of you slip away.” Unfortunately Elvis did turn out like many other famous music artists. He let fame and fortune get the best of him and he lost sight of the American Dream. He let those prizes like owning a big mansion and extravagant wardrobes take over his career and become his stardom. Fame went to his head and he lost sight of his original dream. What he found was a “new dream” that ultimately lead to weight gain, divorce and eventually substance abuse.
Elvis Presley came close to achieving the American Dream but he did not achieve it. He knew how to share his knowledge, but not how to live in the footsteps he paved for so many Americans. I believe that this “American Dream” still has meaning for us today. Many people still fall into the same category as Elvis. They fail to understand the true meaning of the American Dream, feeling that all they need are the booby prizes to be successful. If Americans were more educated on what the meaning of the American Dream is, and how true success comes from within, people wouldn’t be obsessed with expensive items. The American Dream is about realizing one’s potential and being happy. If a person feels truly happy, then they are successful and have achieved the American Dream.

http://elvispresleybiography.net/elvis-presley-music.htm
http://histsociety.blogspot.com/2010/12/elvis-and-american-dream.html

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