"Elvis Presley, Elvis Is Dead" is a song by American rock group Living Colour from their second studio album ''Time's Up (Living Colour album), Time's Up'' (1990). The song was the third single from the album, and features guests Little Richard on vocals and Maceo Parker on saxophone. The song addresses Elvis sightings, conspiracies that iconic singer Elvis Presley had actually survived his 1977 death. "Elvis is Dead" also touches on Presley's complex relationship with African-Americans. Before, during, and after Little Richard's guest rap performance, many voices speak the song title, concluded by one announcing: "Elvis has left the building!" Living Colour adapted lyrics from two previous songs. "Maybe I've a reason to believe we all will be received in Graceland" from Paul Simon's "Graceland (song), Graceland" to yield the refrain, "I've got a reason to believe we all won't be received at Graceland." They also quote Public Enemy (group), Public Enemy's "Fight the Power (Public Enemy song), Fight the Power" in stating, "Elvis Presley, Elvis was a hero to most," but again twisted the line "But he never meant s--t to me" to "But that's beside the point."

Track listing

# "Elvis Is Dead" - 3:51 # "Memories Can't Wait (Live)" - 5:06 # "Love And Happiness" - 5:09

Charts

Personnel

* Will Calhoun - drums * Corey Glover - vocals * Maceo Parker - saxophone * Vernon Reid - guitar * Little Richard - vocals * Muzz Skillings - bass * Mick Jagger - voice at wake

References

Living Colour songs 1990 singles Songs written by Vernon Reid Song recordings produced by Ed Stasium Epic Records singles 1990 songs Songs about death Songs about Elvis Presley {{metal-song-stub