Music Bender

There’s no doubt that one of the hottest bands on the planet right now is the Irish ensemble of U2.
And front man Bono (Paul Hewson) is responsible for many of the great songs they’ve released over the years.

But one that hasn’t gotten beyond the “poem” stage has been his homage to American rock icon Elvis Presley.
Recently, he uncovered his 1995 work for the BBC’s Des Shaw. And, while he professes a tremendous appreciation for the “King of Rock,” his verses are … well, rather unique.

For example, he writes:

“elvis with God on his knees, elvis on three tvs,
elvis here come the killer bees, head full of honey, potato chips and cheese,
elvis the bumper stickers, elvis the white knickers,
elvis the white n***** ate at burger king and just kept getting bigger,
elvis sang to win, elvis the battle to be slim,
elvis ate america before america ate him.”

The poem, which will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 during an Elvis tribute program a week from today (on May 13), will have a warning about its language.

More of the poem:

“elvis the charismatic, elvis the ecstatic,
elvis the plastic, elvis the elastic with a spastic dance
that might explain the energy of america.”

Now, when you re-read this poem (which is gonna be highly controversial), you’ll find it almost a bio of Presley over the last years of his life. Whether it’ll be put to music or not, the Beeb has already considered it a masterpiece!
But, then again, Bono and his band has already been considered one of the BBC’s “pampered pets”.

Until tomorrow night, same time … see ya on the flip side!