Steve Goodman - ELVIS IMITATOR -

Steve Goodman: What's his legacy? In his short time here, he demonstrated his expertise by creating memorable songs; i,e, City of New Orleans popularized by Arlo Guthrie. His traits? An admirable and persistent man in the face of death, a songwriter, an enthusiastic performer, a guitarist extraordinaire.

Goodman died of leukemia at age 36 after fighting the cancer for 16 years. His hilarious, touching and provocative music uplifted millions from the late 60s to the early 80s. His power of creativity and inspiration provided him with a will to survive.

He was once quoted as saying that "We all do whatever we do - including just walking down the streeet - with the idea that living is a gift. What happens when the gift is gone is none of my business".

"Elvis Imitator" can be found on the album, "Artistic Hair" (1983)
This song is a good example of Goodman's guitar and songwriting skills, his humor and his ability to draw in an audience.

LYRICS:

Well....
I walk up to the mike and and then I shake my hips
I take a deep breath and put a snare on my lips
See me on the street you wouldn't know my name
But imitating Elvis is my claim to fame
So when you put my imitation name in lights
There'll be imitation good rockin' tonight

Cuz I'm an an Elvis imitator and I just can't stop
Imitating Elvis from the bottom to the top
Imitate the way he talked, the way he smiled
I throw away my scarf and make the crowd go wild

This imitation Elvis may not be the King
But baby I'm the next best thing

Singing Viva Las Vegas and the G.I. Blues
Won't you Love Me Tender in my Blue Suede Shoes
Well let me be your teddy bear, if you must
Oh baby Please Surrender, 'cause I need your touch
Well if you feelin' lonely, need a place to dwell
Come on down to imitation heartbreak hotel

Chorus:
We're gonna rock (rock rock rock)
Ooooh we're gonna rock (rock rock rock)
Ooooh we're gonna rock (rock rock rock)
Ooooh we're gonna rock (rock rock rock)

In my gold lame cape and my sequined suit
Pompadou haircut and my high-heeled boots
Imitating Elvis is the only way
I can make it through my imitation day
I know this rocking music can't be denied
'Cause I was imitating him before he died

Well I'm an an Elvis imitator and I just can't stop
Imitating Elvis from the bottom to the top
I imitate the way he walked, the way he smiled
I throw away my scarf and make the crowd go wild
This imitation Elvis may not be the king
But baby I'm the next best thing

Chorus:
Yeah rock (rock rock rock)
Ooooh we're gonna rock (rock rock rock)
Ooooh we're gonna rock (rock rock rock)
Ooooh we're gonna rock (rock rock rock)