An unusual yet beautiful song indeed. With a few interesting layers of complexity and multiple interpretations.
To me, the song lyrically is divided into 2 main parts - separated by the line where the narrator indicates that he received the E files videos on Elvis as a wedding present. Prior to that point there is no real indication that Elvis is anything other than an animal (Dog or Cat - although I do favor that Elvis is a dog). For example, the lines where the narrator indicates Elvis was "licking the pavement", "waiting to be let in", "jumping fences after foxes/squirrels" tends to force the listener to interpret Elvis as a dog or cat.
After the E files lyrics, the story progresses from "Elvis the dog/cat" to "Elvis the musician" before ultimately "Elvis the father". Elvis the dog "doesn't say anything" while the E files video is playing - but why would he if he were a dog/cat? This is the first indication that Elvis might not be a dog. Elvis just "played with his collar" - the narrator blurs the lines again between dog and human. Is he referring to an animal collar or a shirt collar? Moreover, the narrator thinks it's "rude" that Elvis doesn't comment on his stuff - this is the first indication the narrator believes Elvis is human.
The ending tells us more about the narrator. First, the narrator appears to have little or no relationship with his father. Because he decides to tell Elvis how his relationship with Karn came about (over 7 years) and then we later learn that whoever Elvis is, the narrator "used to think his dad was Elvis". Clarifying that he doesn't know his father. Finally, the last line is seemingly a continuation of the ambiguity thus far. When the narrator states that he hasn't told Elvis that he used to believe he was his father and follows it up with "I haven't told my dad either..." it suggests that the narrator knows who his father is - (Elvis)! And by telling Elvis the dog, he'd be telling his father as well.
An unusual yet beautiful song indeed. With a few interesting layers of complexity and multiple interpretations.
To me, the song lyrically is divided into 2 main parts - separated by the line where the narrator indicates that he received the E files videos on Elvis as a wedding present. Prior to that point there is no real indication that Elvis is anything other than an animal (Dog or Cat - although I do favor that Elvis is a dog). For example, the lines where the narrator indicates Elvis was "licking the pavement", "waiting to be let in", "jumping fences after foxes/squirrels" tends to force the listener to interpret Elvis as a dog or cat.
After the E files lyrics, the story progresses from "Elvis the dog/cat" to "Elvis the musician" before ultimately "Elvis the father". Elvis the dog "doesn't say anything" while the E files video is playing - but why would he if he were a dog/cat? This is the first indication that Elvis might not be a dog. Elvis just "played with his collar" - the narrator blurs the lines again between dog and human. Is he referring to an animal collar or a shirt collar? Moreover, the narrator thinks it's "rude" that Elvis doesn't comment on his stuff - this is the first indication the narrator believes Elvis is human.
The ending tells us more about the narrator. First, the narrator appears to have little or no relationship with his father. Because he decides to tell Elvis how his relationship with Karn came about (over 7 years) and then we later learn that whoever Elvis is, the narrator "used to think his dad was Elvis". Clarifying that he doesn't know his father. Finally, the last line is seemingly a continuation of the ambiguity thus far. When the narrator states that he hasn't told Elvis that he used to believe he was his father and follows it up with "I haven't told my dad either..." it suggests that the narrator knows who his father is - (Elvis)! And by telling Elvis the dog, he'd be telling his father as well.