---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Elvis does his own singing and selects…"
description: "\"Elvis does his own singing and selects his own songs for his records. Hundreds of songs are submitted to him. I don't even attempt to advise him.\" — Co..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c94/colonel-tom-parker-31036_elvis_elvis-does-his-own-singing-and-selects-h_244834.jpg"
---

#  Elvis does his own singing and selects his own songs for…

![“Elvis does his own singing and selects his own songs for his records. Hundreds of songs are submitted to him. I don't even attempt to advise him.” quote by Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c94/colonel-tom-parker-31036_elvis_elvis-does-his-own-singing-and-selects-h_244834.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c94/colonel-tom-parker-31036_elvis_elvis-does-his-own-singing-and-selects-h_244834.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c94/colonel-tom-parker-31036_elvis_elvis-does-his-own-singing-and-selects-h_244834.jpg)

> “Elvis does his own singing and selects his own songs for his records. Hundreds of songs are submitted to him. I don't even attempt to advise him.”

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Elvis personally chose and performed his songs, rejecting external advice despite many submissions.

**In simple terms:** Elvis chose his own songs, ignoring others.

Key Takeaway

Trust personal artistic judgment.

Themes

creativity control authenticity

Mood

proud determined

Type

statement personal

When to use this quote

- music production
- career management
- song selection
- artist branding

Key Concepts

artist autonomy decision making

Questions to Reflect On

- How does personal control affect artistic growth?
- What are the risks of rejecting external input?

A Different Perspective

May limit exposure to diverse talent.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Music making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-making/) [Singing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singing/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/)

## Related quotes

> [Growing up as a singer, and a cast member, and now as an adult, a songwriter, I get the luxury of choosing the kinds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mraz/growing-up-as-a-singer-and-a-cast-member-and-now-as-an-adult-a/)

[Jason Mraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mraz/)

> [When I think about putting together an album, the process of listening to hundreds of songs each time and picking out the best 10…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-strait/when-i-think-about-putting-together-an-album-the-process-of-listening/)

[George Strait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-strait/)

> [I have hundreds and hundreds of songs waiting to get on albums, but I don't know about the three-month radio tours and if I'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/i-have-hundreds-and-hundreds-of-songs-waiting-to-get-on-albums-but-i/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [have two A &amp; R people who listen to songs for me all of the time. When they hear something that they think I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-andrews/have-two-a-r-people-who-listen-to-songs-for-me-all-of-the-time-when/)

[Jessica Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-andrews/)

> [When I was younger it was a lot of quantity over quality. Just writing, writing, writing. Hundreds of songs. Now it's fewer songs. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/when-i-was-younger-it-was-a-lot-of-quantity-over-quality-just-writing/)

[Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/)

> [But I always held my music up and protected it from compromise. So I just do it for my friends. I've written hundreds of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-harrison/but-i-always-held-my-music-up-and-protected-it-from-compromise-so-i/)

[Gregory Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-harrison/)

> [Everything I record, I end up putting out. You hear about artists with hundreds of songs in their archive, and I have zero songs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laufey/everything-i-record-i-end-up-putting-out-you-hear-about-artists-with/)

[Laufey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laufey/)

> [There is a lot of melody and things that sound familiar in hundreds of songs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-coyne/there-is-a-lot-of-melody-and-things-that-sound-familiar-in-hundreds/)

[Wayne Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-coyne/)

> [I've written hundreds of songs, and I tend to think that my instincts are pretty good when it comes to what people are going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-foster/i-ve-written-hundreds-of-songs-and-i-tend-to-think-that-my-instincts/)

[Mark Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-foster/)

> [I can write hundreds of songs on simple power chords.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel/i-can-write-hundreds-of-songs-on-simple-power-chords/)

[Miguel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel/)

> [Elvis is a very generous boy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-tom-parker/elvis-is-a-very-generous-boy/)

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

> [I'm a promoter. I promote Elvis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-tom-parker/i-m-a-promoter-i-promote-elvis/)

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

> [Elvis and me, we go three or four days sometimes without talking to each other. Sometimes even a week. I see Elvis, perhaps run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-tom-parker/elvis-and-me-we-go-three-or-four-days-sometimes-without-talking-to/)

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

> [I'm doing everything I can to keep Elvis in front of the folks while he's serving the country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-tom-parker/i-m-doing-everything-i-can-to-keep-elvis-in-front-of-the-folks-while/)

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

> [I always insisted that Elvis' name come first and my name come second.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-tom-parker/i-always-insisted-that-elvis-name-come-first-and-my-name-come-second/)

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

## More by Colonel Tom Parker

> [Yes, I am a man without a country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-tom-parker/yes-i-am-a-man-without-a-country/)

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

> [Don't try to explain it, just sell it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-tom-parker/don-t-try-to-explain-it-just-sell-it/)

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

> [Elvis and me, we go three or four days sometimes without talking to each other. Sometimes even a week. I see Elvis, perhaps run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-tom-parker/elvis-and-me-we-go-three-or-four-days-sometimes-without-talking-to/)

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

> [I tried to stay in the background.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-tom-parker/i-tried-to-stay-in-the-background/)

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

> [I don't believe in giving away what you can sell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-tom-parker/i-don-t-believe-in-giving-away-what-you-can-sell/)

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

> [The public is tired of politicians professing certain beliefs and not acting on those beliefs. They want elected officials who have the moral courage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-tom-parker/the-public-is-tired-of-politicians-professing-certain-beliefs-and-not/)

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

> [I'm a promoter. I promote Elvis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-tom-parker/i-m-a-promoter-i-promote-elvis/)

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

> [Elvis is a very generous boy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-tom-parker/elvis-is-a-very-generous-boy/)

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

> [I love to pay taxes. I know when I'm paying taxes I'm making money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-tom-parker/i-love-to-pay-taxes-i-know-when-i-m-paying-taxes-i-m-making-money/)

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

> [I'm doing everything I can to keep Elvis in front of the folks while he's serving the country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-tom-parker/i-m-doing-everything-i-can-to-keep-elvis-in-front-of-the-folks-while/)

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

> [I always insisted that Elvis' name come first and my name come second.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-tom-parker/i-always-insisted-that-elvis-name-come-first-and-my-name-come-second/)

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

> [You gotta be a snowman to get along in this world. You gotta snow people. They liked to be snowed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-tom-parker/you-gotta-be-a-snowman-to-get-along-in-this-world-you-gotta-snow/)

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

> [What a performer has to watch out for is overexposure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-tom-parker/what-a-performer-has-to-watch-out-for-is-overexposure/)

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

> [I don't have anything to do with Elvis' private life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-tom-parker/i-don-t-have-anything-to-do-with-elvis-private-life/)

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

> [Motion picture stars last for 20, 30, 40 years; TV stars are finished in 5 or 6 if they're in regular series.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-tom-parker/motion-picture-stars-last-for-20-30-40-years-tv-stars-are-finished-in/)

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

[Explore all 17 Colonel Tom Parker quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-tom-parker/)

## More Elvis quotes

> [Elvis was sincere, and he was - he was so loyal. And he was so homespun. He loved his mother, he loved America. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-thompson/elvis-was-sincere-and-he-was-he-was-so-loyal-and-he-was-so-homespun/)

[Linda Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-thompson/)

> [I can guarantee you one thing, we will never agree on anything as we agreed on Elvis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bangs/i-can-guarantee-you-one-thing-we-will-never-agree-on-anything-as-we/)

[Lester Bangs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bangs/)

> [Elvis deserves a lot of credit for bringing the blues to middle America, not the Vegas stuff. The early stuff, The Sun records, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tork/elvis-deserves-a-lot-of-credit-for-bringing-the-blues-to-middle/)

[Peter Tork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tork/)

> [“If you threw Elvis and a scarecrow in a blender, topped the whole thing off with Seagram's 7 and pressed dice, you would make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-portes/if-you-threw-elvis-and-a-scarecrow-in-a-blender-topped-the-whole/)

[Andrea Portes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-portes/)

> [Oh, I think country has changed tremendously. I think country has totally changed. Country music when I was a kid was Hank Williams. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mellencamp/oh-i-think-country-has-changed-tremendously-i-think-country-has/)

[John Mellencamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mellencamp/)

> [Elvis Presley wore a Star of David and a cross around his neck and, when someone asked him about it, he said, "It makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cass-mccombs/elvis-presley-wore-a-star-of-david-and-a-cross-around-his-neck-and/)

[Cass McCombs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cass-mccombs/)

> [Elvis a fight the dying light, Johnny Ray he's always crying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-idol/elvis-a-fight-the-dying-light-johnny-ray-he-s-always-crying/)

[Billy Idol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-idol/)

> [Elvis was the firstest with the mostest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-orbison/elvis-was-the-firstest-with-the-mostest/)

[Roy Orbison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-orbison/)

> [Elvis' early music has drama because as he sang he was escaping limits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greil-marcus/elvis-early-music-has-drama-because-as-he-sang-he-was-escaping-limits/)

[Greil Marcus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greil-marcus/)

> [I was very keen on people like Elvis, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Gene Vincent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-trower/i-was-very-keen-on-people-like-elvis-carl-perkins-jerry-lee-lewis-and/)

[Robin Trower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-trower/)

> [When I was a little kid, I was very impressed with Elvis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-trower/when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-was-very-impressed-with-elvis/)

[Robin Trower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-trower/)

> [ Elvis \[Presley\] had a stepstool, if you will, to success because he came from the dominant culture. They identified with him. Michael Jackson had… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/elvis-presley-had-a-stepstool-if-you-will-to-success-because-he-came/)

[Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/)

> [Elvis helps Santa Clause make toys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honey-boo-boo-child/elvis-helps-santa-clause-make-toys/)

[Honey Boo Boo Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honey-boo-boo-child/)

> [It was very nerve-wracking for me. I had to be drunk and have a threesome. I'm not that guy. Bobby Cannavale is that guy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-romano/it-was-very-nerve-wracking-for-me-i-had-to-be-drunk-and-have-a/)

[Ray Romano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-romano/)

> [“His body walks out onto the darkened stage , and a roar goes up from the crowd. He stands in front of the mic,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-garraty/his-body-walks-out-onto-the-darkened-stage-and-a-roar-goes-up-from/)

Joseph Garraty

Browse all 508 Elvis quotes

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