A Jukebox Jingle: Elvis and “Kissin’ Cousins”

About The Song

The 1960s! Bell-bottoms flared, hair teased high, and the king of rock and roll, Elvis Presley, ruled the airwaves. His music, a potent blend of blues, gospel, and country, pulsed through transistor radios and spun on turntables, each song a snapshot of a bygone era. Today, we’ll dust off a gem from Elvis’s filmography, a tune that’s as sweet as lemonade on a summer day – “Kissin’ Cousins”.

Remember the days of drive-in movies, popcorn flying, and teenagers swooning over the silver screen? “Kissin’ Cousins” was born in that era, the title track for a 1964 musical comedy of the same name. Elvis, in his dual roles of Josh Morgan and Jodie Tatum, takes us on a whirlwind adventure of mistaken identities, family feuds, and, of course, a touch of forbidden romance.

The song itself is a foot-stompin’, hand-clappin’ slice of pure Elvis. The opening riff, a jangly guitar that’s as bright as a July sun, sets the tone for a playful melody that’s impossible to resist. Elvis’s vocals, smooth as honey and laced with a hint of mischievous charm, weave a tale of a country boy smitten with his newfound cousin, unaware of the blood ties that bind them.

But “Kissin’ Cousins” is more than just a catchy tune. It’s a window into a simpler time, where family gatherings echoed with laughter and front porches were the stage for impromptu guitar jams. The lyrics, penned by the legendary Fred Wise, are sprinkled with homespun wisdom and playful double entendres, hinting at the forbidden romance without ever crossing the line.

As the song unfolds, we hear Elvis’s playful baritone croon, “I never knew a cousin could be so sweet”, his voice dripping with a touch of southern drawl. The melody dips and sways, mimicking the coy dance between Josh and his newfound love, all while the backing chorus chimes in with a joyous, “Kissin’ cousins, ain’t that somethin’!”

Video

Lyrics

“Kissin’ Cousins”
(from “Kissin’ Cousins” soundtrack)