That's All Right (Mama) - The Song That Changed Rock and Roll
That's All Right (Mama) is a song that has a remarkable history and influence in the development of rock and roll music. It was written and originally performed by the American blues singer Arthur Crudup in 1946, and later covered by Elvis Presley in 1954, launching his career and sparking a musical revolution.
That's All Right (Mama)
The Original Version by Arthur Crudup
Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup was a blues singer and guitarist who recorded several songs for RCA Victor in the 1940s. One of them was That's All Right, which he recorded in Chicago on September 6, 1946. The song was based on some traditional blues verses first recorded by Blind Lemon Jefferson in 1926.
The song was released as a single in 1947, but it did not achieve much success at the time. However, it was reissued in early March 1949 by RCA Victor under the title That's All Right, Mama, which was the first rhythm and blues record on its new 45 rpm single format. Some music historians consider Crudup's recording to be the first rock and roll song, as it featured a guitar solo break and a driving rhythm that influenced later artists.
The Cover Version by Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley was a young singer who was looking for a breakthrough in the music industry. He had recorded some demos at Sun Records, a small studio in Memphis, Tennessee, run by Sam Phillips. On July 5, 1954, Presley was in the studio with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, trying to record a song that would impress Phillips. After several unsuccessful attempts, Presley started to sing That's All Right, a song he had heard on the radio by Crudup. He gave it a more upbeat tempo and added his own vocal style. Moore and Black joined him spontaneously, creating a new sound that blended blues, country, and pop.
Phillips was impressed by the performance and decided to release it as Presley's debut single. He also recorded a version of Blue Moon of Kentucky, a bluegrass song by Bill Monroe, as the B-side. The single was released on July 19, 1954, and received an enthusiastic response from the listeners of WHBQ radio station in Memphis, who requested it repeatedly. The song soon spread to other radio stations across the country, making Presley a national sensation.
That's All Right is widely regarded as one of the first rock and roll records, as it introduced a new style of music that appealed to both black and white audiences. It also established Presley as the leading figure of the rock and roll movement, earning him the nickname "The King". The song was ranked number 113 on the Rolling Stone magazine list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2010.
The Legacy of That's All Right (Mama)
The song has been covered by many other artists over the years, including Carl Perkins, Marty Robbins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Dylan. It has also been featured in several movies and documentaries about Presley and rock and roll history. In July 2004, exactly 50 years after it was first released, the song was re-released as a CD single in several countries, including the United Kingdom, where it reached number three on the charts.
That's All Right (Mama) is more than just a song; it is a symbol of how music can transcend boundaries and create cultural change. It is a testament to the talent and influence of both Arthur Crudup and Elvis Presley, who gave voice to a new generation of music lovers.
Sources:
[Wikipedia]
[YouTube]
[Wikipedia]
[Rolling Stone]
[BBC]
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