"Elvis Ate America" song lyrics + meaning - U2

Elvis has long been a fascination of Bono's, making reference to him in the similar titled song Elvis Presley and America from the album The Unforgettable Fire.

In the track “Elvis Ate America,” U2 invites listeners into a surreal landscape that blurs the lines between the personal and the collective, crafting a narrative that resonates with themes of identity, loss, and cultural introspection. 

The title itself serves as a provocative metaphor, invoking the larger-than-life persona of Elvis Presley—a figure synonymous with American culture and rock ‘n’ roll, yet also emblematic of the ephemeral nature of fame and success. As Bono’s ethereal vocals weave through the sonic tapestry, they echo the sentiments of an America grappling with its identity, caught in the throes of commercialization and nostalgia. 

This paradoxical relationship with cultural icons becomes a lens through which listeners examine their own identities, influenced by a culture that simultaneously elevates and devours its heroes.

At its core, “Elvis Ate America” challenges the listener to reflect on the consequences of a society consumed by celebrity culture. U2’s lyrics juxtapose the allure of fame with the haunting emptiness it often leaves in its wake. 

The song navigates through imagery that evokes both admiration and disillusionment, mirroring the band's own journey through fame and the constant struggle for authenticity amidst the noise. Bono has often spoken about the destructive nature of fame and the yearning for deeper connections in a world that prizes surface over substance. 

This song features Howie B. on backing vocals to the 'Elvis' call for sorts for Bono to respond to.

"Elvis Ate America" Lyrics - U2 as Passengers

Elvis, white trash
Elvis the Memphis flash
Elvis didn't smoke hash
Woulda been a sissy without Johnny Cash
Elvis didn't dodge the draft
Elvis had his own aircraft
Elvis having a laugh
On Lisa Marie in a colour photograph
Elvis under the hood
Elvis with Cadillac blood
Elvis, darling bud
Flowered and returned to the Mississippi mud
Elvis ain't gonna rot
Elvis in a Memphis plot
Elvis, he didn't hear the shot Dr. King died just across the lot from
Elvis, vanilla ice cream
Elvis, girls of fourteen
Elvis, the Memphis spleen
Shooting TVs, reading Corinthians thirteen
Elvis with God on his knees
Elvis owned three TVs
Here come the killer bees
Head full of honey potato chips and cheese
Elvis, the bumper stickers
Elvis, the white knickers
Elvis, the white [word removed]
Ate a king burger and just kept getting bigger
Elvis sang to win
Elvis, the battle hymn
Elvis, the battle to be slim
Elvis ate America before America ate him
Elvis
Elvis stamps
Elvis necromance
Elvis fans
Elvis sycophants
Elvis the public enemy
Elvis don't mean shit to Chuck D.
Elvis changed the center of gravity
Made it slippy
Elvis, Hitler
Elvis, Nixon
Elvis, Christ
Elvis, Mishima
Elvis, Markus
Elvis, Jackson
Elvis the pelvis
Elvis the psalmist
Elvis the genius
Elvis, generous
Elvis, forgive us
Elvis, pray for us
Elvis Aaron
Elvis Presley
Elvis

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This lyric has removed Bono's reference to Elvis as a 'white -----r'.

In “Elvis Ate America,” Bono’s use of the term “white -----r” is both provocative and deeply layered, serving as a stark commentary on race, identity, and the dislocation of culture in contemporary America. By employing such a charged phrase, Bono confronts the complexities of societal divisions, particularly the intersections of privilege and disenfranchisement. 

This term, which evokes the historical suffering of African Americans while simultaneously suggesting the alienation felt by those who exist on the fringes of both white and minority identities, highlights the paradox of modern existence. Bono’s intention seems to be to jolt listeners into an awareness of the systemic inequalities that persist, regardless of race. 

In a cultural landscape where identity is often commodified and simplified, this stark juxtaposition serves as a call to recognize the profound emotional and social struggles that underpin the American experience. Bono’s audacity in choosing such language reflects a broader critique of societal norms, challenging listeners to reconsider their perceptions of race, identity, and belonging in a world that often seeks to categorize individuals in reductive terms.

 Check out this page about the influence of Elvis on U2.

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