And His Face On Velveteen

Among the curios to be seen on a tour of Elvis' Graceland mansion are a scattered collection of Porcelain Monkeys.

Apparently, Elvis liked them and they do fit the theme of the "Jungle Room." Though one can also be found in the "TV Room."

Warren Zevon claims that Elvis doesn't interest him. He holds nothing against the King, and does give him credit as a great performer. He has actually never been to Graceland to lay eyes on the Porcelain Monkeys, either.

So what might have prompted him to record such a comprehensive chronicle about one in whom he is so disinterested?

Zevon saw the Porcelain Monkey that sits atop a mirrored table in the "TV Room" on a postcard belonging to the song's co-writer, Jorge Calderon. This prompted the pair to do intensive research on Elvis' history and lifestyle in writing the song.

So, if I showed Warren the recipe for baked beans from the cookbook for the Loretta Lynn Kitchen restaurant outside the Loretta Lynn Dude Ranch (all of which exist, and I bought the cookbook which uses lard or sugar in nearly every recipe), would he be inspired to write a song about the ensuing flatulence?

My guess would be that a song about the "Coal Miner's Daughter" and her homestyle cooking would sell fewer copies.