MovieChat Forums > Elvis (2022) Discussion > Pretty good until the RAP music started ...

Pretty good until the RAP music started playing


Around 20 minutes in, Hound Dog by Big Mama Thornton inexplicably morphs into a rap version. Gotta dumb down music history for today's dumb audience, you see.

reply

i was worried about this..... how much rap shit is in this film? just the one song? or more?

reply

Fortunately just that 1 song.

reply

enough to ruin the whole fucking movie tho. rap didnt even exist when this guy was alive what where they thinking putting that shit in?!?

reply

It's the director's thing. He did it in other movies. I am used to movies being filmed like Sesame Street in short bursts for young people's short attention span, including modern music to grab their attention. It didn't ruin it for me. There were enough real things to make it still a valid biopic.

reply

I thought I heard 2. But you are right about it being annoying.

reply

I thought I heard 2. But you are right about it being annoying.

reply

It wasn't just one song. I watched the movie today. It was 2-4 songs that had infused rap nonsense into it that ruined the R&B. Hound Dog, Ghetto, and one or two more that I forgot.

reply

Didn't get any blacks in the theaters! Was there any Latin music?

Deadline: Diversity demos were 62% Caucasian, 20% Latino and Hispanic, 7% Black, and 11% Asian/other.

reply

Are you fucking kidding me? I was hoping all that garbage rap music would just be for the soundtrack. Please tell me they dont include that god awful Eminem song in this

reply

The rap music is at the end during the credits. I did not like listening to that shit. They should have used Elvis' voice and music.

reply

Haven't seen it but it is a Baz film, everything is a joke to him.

reply

Baz researched this film for 9 years and many serious Elvis fans notice easter eggs peppered throughout the film. This film may be a joke to you but it was a passion project for Baz and the film highlights his love for the King.

reply

Did he research it well? Did he ever learn to make a good film?

No.

reply

Yes. Watch reviews of old elvis fans and you'll watch them dissect every minutiae he inserts into the film. The film needs rewatches however to catch many of them, same way you catch many things you've never seen before when you rewatch TGF. Baz combines many elements into 1 act which makes sense from the narrative pov. The fact that this film has garnered so many new fans into listening and researching Elvis says a lot. I highly recommend you read Peter Guralnick's 2 part Elvis bio to inform you more on Elvis.

reply

His love for what???

rap "hound dog"?? his love for WHAT???

Fuck off.

reply

Profanity and crassness. Thanks for letting everyone know who and what you are.

reply

the idea was that the rap music would be as shocking today as elvis's music was in the 50's. conservatives got so offended by WAP, pretty much the exact same way conservatives got offended by elvis back in the day.

reply

skinny jewish conservatives that cant get their wife wet got offended. most normal conservatives just enjoyed the hoe ass hooker music for what it is and went on with their day after

reply

Well, it was anachronistic, jarring, and out of place, regardless of the intent.

reply

i agree, i think they should've used death metal or grindcore if they wanted that intent

reply

Ghetto music was crap 40 years ago when I was a stupid lefty. Most people hated it.

reply

Not today it isn't, considering how watered down and vapid rap has become, while at the same time it's all over the top 40. It sold it's soul for sales, and has no place in a film like this.

reply

You're nothing but a hound... bzz bzz bzzzz WAP WAP WAP WAP WAP nigga wut wut. Was it something like that? lol

Update:
https://youtu.be/QZp2biJul1c

Ah, so it was this song by Doja Cat.

reply

Funny post. I did shut it off at that point. I’ll likely go back to it. The transition to female rap music just signaled this was some stylized version not meant to give you the real history. Seemed like the movie was trying to re-tell a story so that everyone gets credit except for the guy that actually accomplished something.

reply

I like the song. BUT WTF IS IT DOING in an ELVIS movie???

@Kiwalski: you see bitch?? This is me SHOUTING!!!

reply

Have you never seen another film by its director?

reply

It was a weird addition. I was prepared for more modern music to creep in and thought it may be interesting to see the influence Elvis had on modern songs....but then it was only one song so felt really out of place. If it was the whole soundtrack and done in an interesting way it would have been cool but no. One song was weird and disjointed. Like the movie wanted to be trendy but got scared and quit halfway through. I'm glad they didn't do more but as a film making perspective I'm really curious what that was about.

reply

I can think of 6 at least of other remixes, there was In the Ghetto, a duet with Jack White for Power of My Love, Viva Las Vegas/Toxic, Craw Fever, Edge of Reality, Vegas Rehearsal That's All Right, etc. I like it actually. I was initially turned off by the rap but I've since warmed up to it.

reply

Wanted to let you know that I read your posts here and up above and I’m going to give the movie another try because of them. I shut my first viewing off at the rap music but before that I perceived stereotype caricatures of everybody from women to white people to black people to poor people to evangelicals and on and on. But, you gave some good context and you sound like a real Elvis fan who knows a lot about the guy and his music, so I’m going to re-watch on your endorsement.

reply

Thank you. I just want Elvis to be given a chance and his legacy to continue. He dies when his fans die but he lives when new fans are created.

reply

yea, that post was probably from my first viewing, I'm on #8 now and have the soundtrack. I think the 2 rap songs happening on Beale street are the most 'modern' used and I didn't really count the remixes. I've grown to appreciate it all more and even defend it. Tupelo Shuffle is one of my favorite tracks. Sadly, the sound track leaves a lot of stuff off like the 68 comeback special mixes and the Las Vegas/Toxic song which is amazing. I think once people settle into the style, they quickly grow to like it. Sure, you shouldn't have to 'settle' into anything but this is a movie you need to see multiple times to get it. It's amazing.

reply

I agree. I've seen it 4x myself. I have the soundtrack as well. I don't understand why they left so much off! I hear the cd has even less than the digital ost, that absolutely blows my mind that fans would expect the cd to have the same content as the digital, and it has less!

reply

yea, that's crazy. Sadly my CD buying days are over unless I specifically go out to purchase a player. They are not even standard in cars anymore...I hate getting old. So I have the one from Apple. I had no idea the CD is less. I am wondering if they ever really planned to release a soundtrack? I dunno. I fell like all movies have them and with a movie about a musician it would be a given but I feel this release seems very last minute and thrown together. I like the '68 comeback special music...that guitar man, the Gospell song mixed with the 'feeling in my body' song. Not on the soundtrack. The 'Viva Las Vegas/Toxic' mix; not there. The 'Bossa Nova/backstreet boys'...not there.

I hope they get released at some point. I also wish Austin Butler had more songs, lol. His 'Let's Play House' and 'Trouble' are perfect.

reply

The cd has been released and an older Elvis fan was complaining that they left so much music out. It should've been released as a 2 cd ost imo.

I also don't listen to cds anymore but I'm getting an itch to start collecting physical Elvis memorabilia, lol! I want to even buy a record player now! Haha!


There are a lot of great remixes on yt fyi.

reply

I know the feeling. I'm trying to control myself. I just got out of credit card debt after busting my ass for 2 years and don't want to start again, lol. I DID buy myself a couple of Christmas ornaments. Elvis in his Aloha Eagle jumpsuit and his Blue Hawaii look. I let my mom have one and she chose 'Blue Hawaii.' I also have a music box mom bought at Graceland back in 1992. It's pretty, clear with gold trim and plays 'My Way'. Inside were a couple Elvis stamps when they came out. And apparently the Elvis perfume smells really good but I am controlling myself. Maybe my family will get the hint and get some some things for Christmas, lol.

I am feeling a little bad (not really) but I just gave my record player away a few years ago. I got mind in the late 90s early 2000s during my Monkees and Beatles hey day. I decided to start minimizing my apartment and a guy at work had talked about wanting one so I gave it too him. Kinda sorta wish I still had it. I was building a nice collection; Don't think I had any Elvis though. But it's never too late to start collecting again.

reply

Sorry for the late reply, I hadn't realized you posted.

Wow, well you have a pretty good collection as is already! I think you can hold off for a while! :)

There's this pink vinyl press Elvis record that's beautiful! I want it! But I'm from the Philippines, so I'd have to save up and have it shipped here! I have a so so record player but I think I want a portable 50s retro one, this film brought out the love I have for 50s aesthetic, especially pink/black or purple/white or baby blue/white combos.

Just look at that beauty:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Elvis/comments/wq2cd5/pink_press_on_tonight_for_45_years_since_the_king/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

I'm a new Elvis fan actually since this film but I've been absorbing every Elvis tidbit and I want to start an Elvis physical library collection. So far I have digital books, so need to also save up for that plus shipping!

reply

It's never too late to be a new Elvis fan. that's why I am so happy this film was so well received. Bio pics always bring a new interest in to their subjects but I don't think I've ever seen it this wide spread and passionate with an artist. And the fact it's not all Austin but people are genuinely falling in love again with Elvis is fantastic.

reply

Also the demographic of Elvis fans on reddit is 19-29 years old and they make up 50% of the fans on there!

I juat listened to this fantastic podcast reviewing the Elvis film, I thought you might like it!


Part 1:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4o67zT8KS3Bz9UJxozkXA6?si=5V0v_hG8TGyzq7J1ZHdh7Q&utm_source=copy-link


Part 2:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2epCPKnbd0e6pXEPWtxDfT?si=j7NtlPpFS1Sa55ch_82-PQ&utm_source=copy-link

reply

Thanks! I've been loving listening to everyone's perspectives on the film. I'm 'Sweet_Charming82' on Reddit BTW :)

reply

Hey we've chatted a bit on there actually, I'm Dewey Baby!

reply

very awesome! :)

reply

Well, you made a really good point about the idea that modern music was added to show his influence on other art forms. This is really why I come to MovieChat.

reply

I love reading different opinions and learning things about films on here. A lot of trolls but you can find good conversations. My opinion on the modern music definitely changed to appreciation. I adore the 'Tupelo Shuffle' and all the remixes of Elvis's songs. The two Beale Street rap songs have grown on me though I don't listen to them outside the movie. But it helps make the street seem cooler, more dangerous and enticing to Elvis so it fit. I actually love the transition from Mama Thorton singing 'Hound Dog' into the rap right as Elvis closes the truck door. You just kinda feel the electricity. And then again when the song transitions from all the Elvis music playing in the car when Elvis is driving out of Graceland. You really feel his frustration of being trapped and conflicted trying to please everyone and not getting anywhere. So when that song comes on, you feel his 'last straw' break away.

reply

I really enjoy your posts Melissa and will look out for them in the future

reply

thank you! :)

reply