Elvis' Jaycees acceptance speech

[Leroy]

I am searching for the full version (text only) of the speech Elvis gave while accepting the Jaycees Award. The only thing I can find is an exerpt of the text.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Sorry I can't find them either, but here is a good video............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cGS0-DYIHQ

[thehillbillycat]

Elvis speech at the Jaycees:

Thank you very much ladies and gentlemen.
I would like to thank the Jaycees for electing me as one of the outstanding young men.
When I was a child, I was a dreamer,
I read comic books and I was the hero in the comic book,
I saw movies and I was the hero in the movie,
So every dream I ever dream has come true a hundred times,
These gentlemen over there, see these type of people who care,
are decated,
you realize not possible that they might be building the kingdom
of heaven,
it's not to far-fetched from reality,
I would like to say that,
I learn very early in life that without a song,
the day would never end,
Without a song, a man ain't got no friend,
Without a song, the road would never bend,
Without a song, so I keep singing a song.
Thank you.
Goodnight.


Most of the times the words of heaven can't be heard but on a DVD that came out in 2000 which was the whole Jaycees program from beginning to end. The words of heaven can be heard.

[SweetCaroline]

Does anyone possibly know...:hmm:
Did Elvis put together (write) the speech himself or did he have help?


EDIT: I just went to Jumpsuit Junkie's link. (thanks J.J.) It sounded like ELVIS did write the speech himself by what was said during the clip.

[marijaep]

Does anyone possibly know...:hmm:
Did Elvis put together (write) the speech himself or did he have help?


EDIT: I just went to Jumpsuit Junkie's link. (thanks J.J.) It sounded like ELVIS did write the speech himself by what was said during the clip.

I wonder about that too:hmm: I think he had some help...but I love the speech anyway(y)

[elvis himselvis]

I don't know if he made the text by himself,but it's really beautiful said.

[Burning_Love]

He's says that in the most amazing way, wow he really does, get's me everytime. He was and still is an amazing person and his charisma is what i enjoy about him, he has a way with people, with his audience..

I love him..:wub: :king:

[rickeap]

I recall hearing Elvis say in a subsequent interview that he made it up on the spot.
That seems unlikely.
I think it was a well prepared and well delivered speech by our man
rick

[Tommy]

I think he wrote his own speech.

[Leroy]

First of all I would like to thank Elvislennon and JJ for their input. It's highly appreciated.

As for the speech itself; a large part of the text is from "Without a Song", recorded by Frank Sinatra. But it was Elvis himself who decided how the get it across.

[meg]

I don't know if he made the text by himself,but it's really beautiful said.


He made the text by himself(y)

[Diana]

:'( :'( :'(
I love that speech!
It is great!
Thank you for asking it, 'cause I was interested in this too...
Thank you all who answered, really it is so important!
I read some texts by Elvis and the speech is quite in his style! He was great and clever and I don't understand some people that think he had a help with it! He is person that could not cause such doubts!!!!!
E(y) L(y) V(y) I(y) S:notworthy :king: :notworthy

[marijaep]

First of all I would like to thank Elvislennon and JJ for their input. It's highly appreciated.

As for the speech itself; a large part of the text is from "Without a Song", recorded by Frank Sinatra. But it was Elvis himself who decided how the get it across.

WOW, that's so great(y) (y) (y)
I love the speech..there was something special about his voice when he was telling it:clap:

[Lisarose]

Does anyone possibly know...:hmm:
Did Elvis put together (write) the speech himself or did he have help?

EDIT: I just went to Jumpsuit Junkie's link. (thanks J.J.) It sounded like ELVIS did write the speech himself by what was said during the clip.

:king: I've heard two different stories about his speech, both versions qualify that he wrote it himself.
First: As he himself states at the end of the interview, he "ad-libbed" the entire speech.
Second: He spent most of the evening previous to the event writing & rewriting it until it was as he wanted it to be. It was a fairly short speech, but very eloquent & heartfelt. The video has been removed, but I do recall that he seemed to be reading from something at the podium & he was very nervous. He does an excellent job, imo :king::clap:

[beau stewart]

:secret::secret:I Have Alway Heard He Made It On The Fly As Well And Comeing From
Elvis Its Not To Unlikely

Tcb

[Merry]

Someone else may know the answer if Elvis wrote this himself?

Elvis being very eloquent and succinct with his speech, and reading the text supplied on this thread, especially this sentence: "These gentlemen over there, see these type of people who care, are dedicated, you realize not possible that they might be building the kingdom of heaven, it's not to far-fetched from reality," this feels very much from the heart, and sounds like Elvis to me, from his head, down to his toes. What a wonderful, proud moment. The more I learn, I couldn't be more proud of him.

:hug:

Jess

[Tony Trout]

If I'm not mistaken the entire video of this speech can be found on Keith Flynn's website....correct??

[Lisarose]

Elvis speech at the Jaycees:

Thank you very much ladies and gentlemen.
I would like to thank the Jaycees for electing me as one of the outstanding young men.
When I was a child, I was a dreamer,
I read comic books and I was the hero in the comic book,
I saw movies and I was the hero in the movie,
So every dream I ever dream has come true a hundred times,
These gentlemen over there, see these type of people who care,
are decated,
you realize not possible that they might be building the kingdom
of heaven,
it's not to far-fetched from reality,
I would like to say that,
I learn very early in life that without a song,
the day would never end,
Without a song, a man ain't got no friend,
Without a song, the road would never bend,
Without a song, so I keep singing a song.
Thank you.
Goodnight.


Most of the times the words of heaven can't be heard but on a DVD that came out in 2000 which was the whole Jaycees program from beginning to end. The words of heaven can be heard.

Hey, Hillbilly Cat, which DVD was this on? Do you remember the name?

[ThisYvonne08]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NZa-kqODgA&feature=PlayList&p=02B46148955C3653&index=100

[TCBnAflash]

Part of this speech was taking from a song and I believe that the comic book part was his.

This part was from a song

"I would like to say that,
I learn very early in life that without a song,
the day would never end,
Without a song, a man ain't got no friend,
Without a song, the road would never bend,
Without a song, so I keep singing a song"

[franny]

I love that speech, that was a very happy moment for Elvis! (y)

franny

[utmom2008]

The video has been removed, but I do recall that he seemed to be reading from something at the podium & he was very nervous. He does an excellent job, imo :king::clap:

I agree Lisa! I have read before that he was extremely nervous, but I thought his delivery was fabulous. Very humble...and heartfelt, I could watch him give that speech 10 tiems a day.(y)

[Lisarose]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NZa-kqODgA&feature=PlayList&p=02B46148955C3653&index=100

Thanks, Yvonne, for finding this new clip. I could watch this endlessly!
I understand that nominees stood at the top of a stairway, were introduced by a speaker, who read off their accomplishments, then they each made their way down & gave their speech. Most of the men simply stood still while introductions were made. But when Elvis stood at the stairway, he was a presence. He had a way of carrying himself, he just filled the room with electricity!
And indeed, he is very humble and very nervous! Did ya'll notice that he says, 'Thank you and goodnight'? This was a breakfast, or am I mistaken?!

[utmom2008]

Thanks, Yvonne, for finding this new clip. I could watch this endlessly!
I understand that nominees stood at the top of a stairway, were introduced by a speaker, who read off their accomplishments, then they each made their way down & gave their speech. Most of the men simply stood still while introductions were made. But when Elvis stood at the stairway, he was a presence. He had a way of carrying himself, he just filled the room with electricity!
And indeed, he is very humble and very nervous! Did ya'll notice that he says, 'Thank you and goodnight'? This was a breakfast, or am I mistaken?!
And.......have you ever seen a prettier profile??? :D:D

[TCBnAflash]

I knew Elvis as stated somewhere, I think on the outtakes of, Elvis on Tour, that he got part of the speech from a song.
Here it it, it's a Frank Sinatra song.

Sinatra

Writer(s): Youmans/Rose/dEliscu


Without a song, the day would never end
Without a song, the road would never have been
When things go wrong, a man ain't got a friend
Without a song

That field of corn, would never see a plow
That field of corn, would be deserted now
A man is born, but he's no good no how
Without a song

I've got my trouble and woe, but sure as I know
The Jordan will roll
I'll get along, as long as a song
Is strung in my soul

I'll never know, what makes the rain to fall
I'll never know, what makes the grass so tall
I only know, there ain't no love at all
Without a song

[SweetCaroline]

And.......have you ever seen a prettier profile??? :D:D


Of course not...not possible. :king:

[presley31]

I love that speech, that was a very happy moment for Elvis! (y)

franny

l agree Fanny, elvis looked so proud (y)

[jon_burrows]

This was a breakfast, or am I mistaken?!


I could be mistaken but wasn't this an evening event which was preceeded by a cocktail party at Graceland. After the cocktail party nominees were escorted to the hotel for the award ceremony.

[Tony Trout]

Did ya'll notice that he says, 'Thank you and goodnight'? This was a breakfast, or am I mistaken?!


I could be mistaken but wasn't this an evening event which was preceeded by a cocktail party at Graceland. After the cocktail party nominees were escorted to the hotel for the award ceremony.


The prayer "breakfast was held the morning of the awards ceremony on January 16, 1971. The acceptance speech is from the same night on January 16, 1971.

[presley31]

The prayer "breakfast was held the morning of the awards ceremony on January 16, 1971. The acceptance speech is from the same night on January 16, 1971.

Thanks for the information Tony(y)

[Tony Trout]

Thanks for the information Tony(y)

You're welcome.