Elvis on Velvet

from Live at the Liberry by John Kimsey & the Twisted Roots Quartet

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lyrics

Elvis on Velvet
words & music by John Kimsey (John Kimsey Tunes / ASCAP)

Last evening you and me we had our usual fight
And I went out driving and drinking and cussing the night
And somewhere ‘bout dawn I was out on the interstate strip
When I pulled in a truck stop, thinking I’d pick up some little making-up gift
And as I looked around at the selection of post cards and coasters and corncob pipes
My eyes came to rest on something familiar I’d never quite seen in that light
It was a souvenir
Meant to bring a tear:
Elvis on velvet

Wasn’t anything great, just a cheaply made dayglo affair
And it depicted the King in his later and lonelier years
But it set me to thinking ‘bout all that I’d done in my life
And two kids who met back in ’57 who went on to be man and wife
And they might have been fools to rush in but they were young and they had no doubts
They just liked to dance all night long to “Baby, Let’s Play House”
And their love was true
But now it’s just misty blue
Like Elvis on velvet

Now the King is no longer with us, but his spirit lives on
In the hearts of his fans, in his pictures and of course in his songs
And even in truck stops I guess, ‘cause as I stared at that thing
I thought for a moment I saw his lip quiver like when he was fixing to sing
And then somebody turned a radio on and it was playing “That’s All Right”
And I thought to myself hell, the King ain’t gone and there’s still good rockin’ tonight
And I’ve been a fool
But I’m gonna be on you
Like Elvis on velvet
‘Cause our love ain’t through
Baby I go with you
Like Elvis on velvet

credits

from Live at the Liberry, released February 10, 2021
John Kimsey, lead vocal, acoustic guitar; Lia McCoo, harmony vocal; Jim Kimsey, electric guitar; Morry Fiddler, organ; Steve Hashimoto, bass; Brad Newton, drums.

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about

John Kimsey Oak Park, Illinois

Singer, songwriter, guitarist and bandleader John Kimsey is a musical man about town (and country). He helms and writes for The Twisted Roots Quartet; does old-timey duet sets with brother Jim as The Kimsey Brothers; conjures psychedelic pandephonium with power trio Medicated Goo; and whips up cheeky pop euphoria with The Art Thieves. Then he has a nice sandwich. ... more

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