OldiesButGoodies

Elvis Presley Rock & Roll

Elvis Presley – Hard Headed Woman

Picture background

Introduction:

In 1958, a young Elvis Presley was already burning up the music scene with his energetic and charismatic brand of rock and roll. Hard Headed Woman, a song released that same year, stands as a prime example of this era-defining sound and Presley’s undeniable talent.

The track, written by African American songwriter Claude Demetrius, was produced by the legendary Sam Phillips at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. Sun Studio, known as the birthplace of rock and roll, played a pivotal role in launching the careers of many early rock and roll musicians, including Presley himself. Hard Headed Woman was released not as a single, but on the soundtrack to Presley’s movie debut, King Creole. Despite not having the typical promotional push of a single release, the song became a hit in its own right.

Hard Headed Woman is a 12-bar blues built on a driving rhythm section. This rhythmic foundation provided the perfect platform for Presley’s signature vocals, a blend of soulful delivery and youthful energy that captivated audiences. The blues influence is evident not just in the structure but also in the song’s instrumentation, which likely featured a piano, stand-up bass, and drums.

Lyrically, the song depicts a common theme in early rock and roll: a young man’s woes in love. The narrator sings of his frustration with his stubborn and independent girlfriend, the “hard headed woman” of the title. While the lyrics are simple, they resonate with Presley’s impassioned delivery, creating a relatable and entertaining narrative.

Hard Headed Woman was a commercial success. While it did not top the charts like some of Presley’s other releases, it reached number two on the British charts. More importantly, Hard Headed Woman became the first rock and roll single to be certified Gold by the RIAA, a testament to its enduring popularity and influence. The song’s success helped solidify Presley’s place as a rock and roll icon and paved the way for future generations of musicians.

Hard Headed Woman continues to be recognized as a rock and roll classic. Its legacy lies in its embodiment of Presley’s early sound, its relatable theme, and its contribution to the genre’s commercial success. The song remains a favorite among fans and a touchstone for understanding the cultural impact of Elvis Presley and the birth of rock and roll.

Video:

https://youtu.be/KfdD47affME?si=r9KTdCPEe_40K6L-

Lyrics:

Well, a hard headed womanA soft hearted manBeen the cause of troubleEver since the world began
Oh yeah (oh yeah)Ever since the world beganA hard headed womanBeen a thorn in the side of man
Adam told Eve“Listen here to meDon’t you let me catch youMessing ’round that apple tree”
Oh yeah (oh yeah)Ever since the world beganA hard headed womanBeen a thorn in the side of man
Oh yeah (oh yeah)Ever since the world beganA hard headed womanBeen a thorn in the side of man
Samson told DelilahLoud and clear“Keep your cotton picking fingersOut my curly hair”
Oh yeah (oh yeah)Ever since the world beganA hard headed womanBeen a thorn in the side of man
I heard about a kingWho was doing swell‘Til he started playingWith that evil Jezebel
Oh yeah (oh yeah)Ever since the world beganA hard headed womanBeen a thorn in the side of man
I got a womanA head like a rockIf she ever went awayI’d cry around the clock
Oh yeah (oh yeah)Ever since the world beganA hard headed womanBeen a thorn in the side of manA hard headed womanBeen a thorn in the side of man

Related Post

Mortician Explains Elvis Presley’s Embalming, Funeral & Burial

What Happened To Bob Joyce At 74? Try Not To Gasp When You See It

“He Never Truly Got Over Losing Maurice.” Robin Gibb’s Final Words About His Brother Will Break Your Heart.

You Missed

Oldies Music

Even though he could barely stay on his feet, Robin Gibb kept singing. As thousands cheered for the Bee Gees icon, few realized the grueling struggle he was concealing—turning what seemed like an ordinary performance into something far more heart-wrenching.

Oldies Music

“CLIFF RICHARD AND OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN SHARED DECADES OF MUSIC, LAUGHTER, AND FRIENDSHIP — BUT IN AUGUST 2022, CLIFF HAD TO SAY GOODBYE TO A WOMAN WHO HAD BEEN PART OF HIS LIFE FOR MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY…” Long before Olivia Newton-John became an international superstar through Grease and her remarkable recording career, she and Cliff Richard had already formed a musical connection. Their friendship grew during the early 1970s, when Olivia appeared on Cliff’s television show and the two performers began sharing music with audiences. In 1971, they recorded “Don’t Move Away,” one of their early collaborations. Over the following decades, their careers took different paths, but their friendship endured. They reunited for performances, shared memorable musical moments, and remained connected through an industry that was constantly changing. Then, on August 8, 2022, Olivia Newton-John died at the age of 73 following a long experience with breast cancer. For Cliff, it meant losing a friend whose presence had been woven into his musical life for decades. Their old performances suddenly carried a different emotional weight. The smiles, familiar melodies, and effortless warmth between them became reminders of a friendship that could no longer continue in person. Some musical partnerships are remembered for the records they produce. Others are remembered because the affection between two people seems to survive long after the final note. For Cliff Richard and Olivia Newton-John, their story was always about more than music.

Oldies Music

“AFTER NEARLY TWO DECADES IN MUSIC, CLIFF RICHARD WAS NO LONGER THE TEENAGE IDOL BRITAIN ONCE KNEW — THEN A SONG CALLED ‘DEVIL WOMAN’ GAVE HIM SOMETHING HE HAD NEVER TRULY ACHIEVED BEFORE…” By 1976, Cliff Richard had already experienced a lifetime of fame. He had been Britain’s answer to Elvis Presley, starred in successful films, and recorded songs that defined an entire generation. But the music world had changed. The Beatles had transformed British pop, new artists were dominating the charts, and the young rock-and-roll rebel of 1958 was now a 35-year-old performer searching for his place in a different musical era. Then came “Devil Woman.” Written by Terry Britten and Christine Holmes, the mysterious, guitar-driven song sounded unlike many of Cliff’s earlier hits. It became one of the defining recordings of his career. In Britain, it reached No. 9. But the real surprise came across the Atlantic. “Devil Woman” climbed to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Cliff his first major breakthrough in the American pop market. After nearly twenty years of success at home, he was finally reaching a new generation of listeners in the United States. It was more than another hit record. It proved that a singer who had emerged in the 1950s could still sound fresh in the 1970s. Cliff Richard hadn’t simply survived changing musical fashions. With “Devil Woman,” he reminded the world that his story was far from over.

Oldies Music

“Shadow Dancing” Put Andy Gibb’s Name on the Record—and All Four Brothers Behind the Song. In 1978, “Shadow Dancing” reached number one in America under Andy Gibb’s name. Its songwriting credit told a wider family story: Andy, Barry, Robin, and Maurice had written it together. The collaboration took shape in Los Angeles while the older brothers were working on the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band film. Andy was building a solo career, and this record gave that career another defining success. Barry also shared production duties with Albhy Galuten and Karl Richardson, connecting Andy’s recording to the studio team behind the Bee Gees’ recent hits. Yet Andy remained the featured singer, carrying the song in his own voice. “Shadow Dancing” became his third consecutive American number one and Billboard’s leading single of 1978. Behind that individual achievement sits a rare, concrete document of all four Gibb brothers working on the same composition.