Introduction:
Paralyzed, a 1956 rock and roll song, left its mark on the early career of the legendary Elvis Presley. While not one of Presley’s biggest hits, the song nonetheless showcases his signature charisma and emerging musical style.
Released as the B-side to his energetic single Shake Rattle and Roll, Paralyzed was recorded on September 1, 1956, at the famed Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. Sun Studio, run by producer Sam Phillips, was a breeding ground for early rock and roll, and it was there that Presley first captured the attention of audiences nationwide. Phillips, recognizing Presley’s undeniable talent, recorded a number of his early hits at Sun Studio, including Paralyzed.
Paralyzed is credited to both Presley and songwriter Otis Blackwell. Blackwell, a prolific songwriter behind many an early rock and roll hit, is believed to have had minimal involvement in the creation of Paralyzed. According to some sources, Presley himself likely wrote most of the song, with Blackwell simply adding his name to secure a co-writing credit. Regardless of the exact songwriting contributions, Paralyzed stands as a testament to the young Presley’s burgeoning talent for crafting captivating music.
The song itself is a blues-influenced rocker, a genre that would become a cornerstone of Presley’s sound. The lyrics, while not explicitly credited, deal with themes of heartbreak and loneliness, common tropes in rock and roll. Presley’s vocals, brimming with youthful energy and a touch of vulnerability, deliver the emotional core of the song. The driving rhythm section, courtesy of Presley’s regular bandmates Scotty Moore on guitar, Bill Black on bass, and D.J. Fontana on drums, lays down a solid foundation for Presley’s performance.
Paralyzed was not a major commercial success on its own, only reaching number 59 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart in 1956. However, it has gained recognition over the years as a strong example of Presley’s early rock and roll style. The song is a reminder of the electrifying sound that Presley brought to the music scene in the mid-1950s, a sound that would forever change the course of popular music. Paralyzed serves not only as a great rock and roll song but also as a valuable historical document of a burgeoning legend in the making.
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Lyrics:
When you looked into my eyesI stood there like I was hypnotisedYou sent a feeling to my spineA feeling warm and smooth and fineBut all I could do was stand there paralyzedWhen we kissed, ooh, what a thrillYou took my hand and, ooh baby, what a chillI felt like grabbin’ you real tightSqueeze and squeeze with all my mightAll I could do was stand there paralyzedOh yeah lucky me, Im singing ev’ry day, ooh-ooh-oohEver since the day you came my way, ooh-ooh-oohYou made my life for me, just one big happy gameI’m gay ev’ry morning, At night Im still the sameOh well, Do you remember that wonderful timeWhen you held my hand and swore that you’d be mineIn front of a preacher you said I doI couldn’t say a word for thinking of youAll I could do was stand there paralyzedOh lucky me, Im singing ev’ry day, ooh-ooh-oohEver since the day you came my way, ooh-ooh-oohYou made my life for me, just one big happy gameI’m gay ev’ry morning, At night Im still the sameDo you remember that wonderful timeWhen you held my hand and swore that you’d be mineIn front of the preacher you said I doI couldn’t say a word for thinking of youAll I could do was stand there paralyzedAll I could do was stand there paralyzed