Favorite Songs Part 1: Viva Las Vegas

No, not Elvis. Don't worry. I haven't totally lost my mind.

What's that? Shut up. Elvis sucked and you know it. It's a haymbuhguh.

He did, though. Yes, yes, yes, he's a pioneer, sure. But saying you like Elvis now is like saying you like Ric Flair's later work.

What? That went over your head, too? I know it didn't go over Jeremy's head. Which might be all that matters.

OK, well I don't like Elvis so that's the point.

Anyway!

Shawn Colvin, an Austinite by way of Ohio or some other fucking place, recorded a version of Elvis's hit about his love for Sin City. The song was used during the credits of The Big Lebowski.

Not the first song. Keep listening until you hear the voice of the girl that did "Sunny Came Home" like twelve years ago. You know? That song with the woman on the swing? They played it on VH1 every five minutes back in the day. That and "As I Lay Me Down to Sleep" by Sophie B. Hawkins.

As opposed to Elvis' version, this version is menacing, sad, and much, much more melodic. Of course, she does the thing I hate where the cover artist changes gender so he/she doesn't sound gay. I think that's dumb. Just me, though.

I forgive her, though. I think this version of the song is really beautiful. Kind of haunting in this really specific way, too. Y'all might the hate the way she says "viva," especially if you're turned off by Claudio Sanchez or the lead from Rush. She's a little raspier, though.

Love it, though. Give it a listen. It's hard to find for download unless you're a shithead and steal music. Like I did. This once. Maybe more than once.

What?



"Viva Las Vegas"
Shawn Colvin