The spin I’m in

I love Elvis Presley’s uptempo performance of Run on For a Long Time (God’s Gonna Cut You Down), a pithy, preachy song I remember hearing often when I was a little girl. 

Which version gets your vote: Elvis, Johnny Cash or MaryAnn? 

Another option I just found: Blind Boys of Alabama. Bill Landford & The Landfordaires riffed on the traditional folk song version, way back in the late 1940s. And may I just say, Moby‘s techno stylings are about the worst fit for this song that I’ve ever heard. 

If you like gritty, controversial poems about cause and consequence, you might be interested in the lyrics.   
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13 Comments

      • It’s Elvis hands down. I agree that olny Elvis can sing a song in that special way. Just imagine him today singing. I think he would still rock. I also clicked on his “Only Believe” on the link. Awsome

  2. Mary Ann. She’s fabulous. But I have to admit, I didn’t even watch the Johnny Cash version because he kind of reminds me of a creepy uncle I had who died when I was in my early twenties. Sorry, that’s not fair to Mr. Johnny Cash, but, what can I say, it is what it is.

    Melodye, speaking of early childhood memories, what is it doing to you psychologically to rehash your past this way? Maybe that’s too personal of a question. I’m just wondering, because I’m kind of doing the same thing with my wip. It’s amazing the things I remember that make me feel yucko.

    • I think she’s fabulous, too. Her voice is not what you might expect. I have singers that I don’t like to watch, either. Josh Grobin (sorry) is one of ’em.

      But y’know, there’s no one who can sing this song like Elvis. And guess what? I found ‘im! Check out this link:
      http://youtube.com/watch?v=cpIQyhvSjLQ

      Good question about the memoir, and I don’t mind your asking at all. I think any time you dredge up the past, you’re bound to go back to the emotional place you inhabited when it happened. I, too, feel “yucko” about some things that occurred/some people I encountered long ago. It really helps me to know (REALLY know, deep down and without a doubt) that I’m safe and secure now, and that I’m surrounded by loving, loved people. I feel so much more grounded than I did when many of the events originally unfolded.

      Does that help? If you want to talk this sometime, send me an email: newport2newport AT gmail DOT com

      • I can tell in your daily voice and actions that you are a person who is in a good place and has a lot to share with the world. You’re right, keeping in mind who we are now does make up for what we lacked then. You are sweet to offer to talk sometime. I’d love to drop you an email.

    • You’re right: the contrast is pretty stark. I’d never heard MaryAnn before tonight, but I love her voice. It transcends what you might expect by looking at her, don’t you think?

      And hey…I found Elvis! He’s got a live link up top now — check it out!

      • I had never heard MaryAnn before tonight either. Listening to this version, I imagined her singing in a dark, hot, smoky room, late at night, her audience nursing drinks in glasses beaded with moisture …
        I love the Elvis version. The perky, upbeat rendition is a great contrast to the ominous lyrics.
        Johnny Cash’s version is so much grittier than Elvis’s; another interesting contrast.
        And Moby? Well, their techno stuff is fun but it kind of doesn’t fit the song.

  6. Die-hard Elvis fan, here. But even with that being the case, my totally unbiased opinion is ELVIS wins this one, hands down! And, I couldn’t agree more with the lyrics. Actions have consequences…and they come back to bite when least expected.

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