Who's The Better Elvis?
 

opinions? i really think Presley is incredibly overrated.

Elvis is not overrated. Here's why. No one (slight hyperbole) who did not live through the Elvis era really reveres him. He deserves a special place and history, I was too young to really remember but by sister is 10 years my senior and she still describes Elvis as the biggest American phenomenon she's witnessed in her life. Not because she likes the Music but because of how people reacted to him and his music and his performances.

Elvis, as much because of dumb luck and quite possibly racism as because of merit or skill paved the way for the Beatles, Dylan, Zeppelin, The Who Everyone (post 1960) who doesn't suck really. He didn't create his legacy and it killed the Man first on the inside, then the outside and then for ever. He is not over rated because everyone under rates him now because their is so many better choices. (And there are) But without what Elvis did none of it exists, regardless of rather or not someone else would have done it eventually they didn't and he did.

My Vote is for Costello, "Armed Forces" rocks!

To be honest I never really enjoyed Presley's stuff. I don't hold anything against him, even though it was racism in America that made him popular in the first place. I give him credit though, because The Beatles were a band not particularly influenced by delta blues, and, as John Lennon once said, "if there wasn't an Elvis there wouldn't have been a Beatles."

Strange poll though. I would think you would compare Presley to someone who was producing music at the same time. Chuck Berry or Bo Diddley, maybe? But yeah, in terms of being the better musician, songwriter, whatever, Costello kicks Presley's ass.

me and my friends were arguing about it today, so i went here for other peoples opinions.

sadly, i haven't got into either. but I refuse to think somebody is not overrated who is dubbed the king of rock and roll and has people dress up like him more than anyone else in the whole Fing world (maybe jesus?) not his fault I guess

I never really got Elvis because he was doing the same as everyone else back then, maybe because he was white?

my vote goes for Elvis Costello

Just my opinions here, but Costello is one of rock's best songwriters; in his prime, he had a demonic howl of a voice. Presley had a pretty face, a lot of sex appeal, and white skin. As far as influence, Presley was one of the most influential rockers in history. As a cultural force, he was probably the most influential. As far as records go? Costello wins, hands down.


As a side note, I love the "Elvis is king" notes on the cover of My Aim Is True. Costello once said in an interview that the name helped him get away with a lot of creative borrowing. He said that everyone would be searching for his influences on old 50's records, when he was more likely to be lifting a phrase from the latest Talking Heads release.

Elvis Presley is no doubt the most over-rated artist in history.

I think both guys are/were pretty badass. Musically though, I'd go with Costello because that's the kind of thing I listen to.

its so damn nice to hear other people say Presley is incredible over-rated. Costello is a great artist and i feel he may be slightly under-rated.