Producer Jimmy Bowen wrote in his book Rough Cut that Sammy got offered this song first. Jesse Jackson was there when Mac Davis played it for Sammy. He asked to hear it again the next day. Elvis had a very good record regarding race relations. African Americans were part of his Vegas show. One even married one of his good friends.
I loved Frank Sinatra & Dean Martin's singing -- but in the early days of rock they both hated rock & Elvis Presley. But Sammy Davis, one of their Rat Packers - he loved Elvis. A friendship that lasted. Can you imagine the ridicule & fun Sinatra & Martin had at Sammy's expense knowing he supported Presley? It took years for Sinatra & Martin to come around to the fact that they were both wrong & Sammy was right. Sammy was a giant in entertainment -- support from a Sammy Davis Jr was GOLD.
I'll tell you something about great singers, even their mistakes and misconceptions can be compelling. I don't think this quite comes off, but it was worth a stab. When Sam does pull it off, there are few who stand comparison. I can't help thinking of what might have been here.
I dont know about you but, i dont know of any racist who would be photographed with the people he didnt like, imagine hitler hanging out with jewish people or negro's? Elvis racist........yeh right, and the moons made of cheese!
@JAARNO88 Right! No one can hang with someone if they hate them, cause they don't have to. We're all God's children, you just have to weed out the bad in all colors.
I own this album and I love it. I just wish Sam had given it another try. I still wonder Why they used this track over the left over stuff!! But I have more from this album on my page also! But a SMALL part of me love this version!!
Like the pictures of Elvis and Sammy but dont like Sammy's verson of this song very much. Elvis' version much more emotional. Sammy and Elvis were very good friends till Elvis died. The rumour still persists that Elvis was racist, it is so obvious he wasnt. He had many black friends, James Brown and Ali amongst others.
lol...this is a horrible cover, don't get me wrong I'm not trying to be critical of your video but this was not the song for Sammy to sing/speak whatever he was doing.
@oldschooljamz87 That's why it was featured on a comic cover album collection called "Golden Throats" along with his version of the Theme from Shaft, and Senator Sam Ervin's rendition of "Bridge over Troubled Water." Also included: Mel Torme's "Sunshine Superman."
It's been a while since I heard this version. It rocks!
Nigeldubois717 2 weeks ago
Producer Jimmy Bowen wrote in his book Rough Cut that Sammy got offered this song first. Jesse Jackson was there when Mac Davis played it for Sammy. He asked to hear it again the next day. Elvis had a very good record regarding race relations. African Americans were part of his Vegas show. One even married one of his good friends.
orangehornet57 1 month ago
I loved Frank Sinatra & Dean Martin's singing -- but in the early days of rock they both hated rock & Elvis Presley. But Sammy Davis, one of their Rat Packers - he loved Elvis. A friendship that lasted. Can you imagine the ridicule & fun Sinatra & Martin had at Sammy's expense knowing he supported Presley? It took years for Sinatra & Martin to come around to the fact that they were both wrong & Sammy was right. Sammy was a giant in entertainment -- support from a Sammy Davis Jr was GOLD.
lastrada52 3 months ago
I'll tell you something about great singers, even their mistakes and misconceptions can be compelling. I don't think this quite comes off, but it was worth a stab. When Sam does pull it off, there are few who stand comparison. I can't help thinking of what might have been here.
hardyfh1 4 months ago
I love how he mixes flippant and serious, and singing and spoken work...This is a sophisticated performance......
starlovegirl24 5 months ago
got to be the coolest cover ever!
fireant87 8 months ago
Sammy was COOL!!
LORRIEVIVALASVEGAS 11 months ago
I agree with you jaarn088
bachelor063 1 year ago
I dont know about you but, i dont know of any racist who would be photographed with the people he didnt like, imagine hitler hanging out with jewish people or negro's? Elvis racist........yeh right, and the moons made of cheese!
JAARNO88 1 year ago 5
@JAARNO88 Right! No one can hang with someone if they hate them, cause they don't have to. We're all God's children, you just have to weed out the bad in all colors.
XByTheShoreX 4 months ago
sam was the biggest coon ever lol! the 1st uncle ruckus lol
kingod615 1 year ago
Thank God for Elvis
doglips1958 1 year ago
I own this album and I love it. I just wish Sam had given it another try. I still wonder Why they used this track over the left over stuff!! But I have more from this album on my page also! But a SMALL part of me love this version!!
millsbrothers 1 year ago
"And I'm hip"
asd36f 1 year ago 3
@asd36f "Why don't you just arrange your chairs and come up close...I just wanna lay a story on ya, that's all."
villemar 1 year ago
A Classic!
misterbyaknow 1 year ago
Laughably bad, but good
xemxi142 2 years ago
Cool electric bass, cool drums.
vinestreet1 2 years ago
Like the pictures of Elvis and Sammy but dont like Sammy's verson of this song very much. Elvis' version much more emotional. Sammy and Elvis were very good friends till Elvis died. The rumour still persists that Elvis was racist, it is so obvious he wasnt. He had many black friends, James Brown and Ali amongst others.
TheLisa03 2 years ago 2
lol...this is a horrible cover, don't get me wrong I'm not trying to be critical of your video but this was not the song for Sammy to sing/speak whatever he was doing.
oldschooljamz87 2 years ago
@oldschooljamz87 That's why it was featured on a comic cover album collection called "Golden Throats" along with his version of the Theme from Shaft, and Senator Sam Ervin's rendition of "Bridge over Troubled Water." Also included: Mel Torme's "Sunshine Superman."
digital2500 9 months ago
@digital2500 I had all four of those, and they were all brilliant. Rhino released, IIRC.
VillemarMxO 3 weeks ago