The advertising campaign for the 2002 FIFA World Cup was remembered for a series of incomparable Nike commercials in which world football stars demonstrated marvels of technology in the hold of an abandoned tanker.
All this happened to the incendiary melody of DJ Junkie XL’s remix of the song A Little Less Conversation, performed by Elvis Presley.
History and meaning of the song A Little Less Conversation
A Little Less Conversation was born back in 1968. Mac Davis and Billy Strange wrote it for the comedy Live a Little, Love a Little (1968), starring Elvis.
The film turned out to be so-so. It did not impress critics or audiences, and the box office was so weak that in many regions and countries, including the UK, it was not even released to cinema screens.
The history of the song A Little Less Conversation turned out to be more successful. It was released as a single with Almost in Love on the B-side and was quite popular in the United States.
But the composition became a real hit in the early 2000s, when, at the request of Nike, its remix was created by Tom Holkenborg, better known as Junkie XL. The new composition was called “Elvis vs. JXL – A Little Less Conversation.
It became the theme song of the 2002 FIFA World Cup and topped the charts in many countries including the UK, Australia and Japan. It is believed that A Little Less Conversation opened the work of Elvis Presley to the younger generation.
Interesting Facts
- Tom Holkenborg became the first musician to be officially authorized by the Elvis Presley Estate to remix a Presley song.
- At the urging of the Elvis Presley Estate, Holkenborg changed his alias Junkie XL to JXL because the company does not approve of drugs.
- The song is periodically used by politicians during election campaigns (Mitt Romney, George W. Bush, Howard Dean, John Kerry and others).
- The original version of A Little Less Conversation is featured in Ocean’s Eleven. The remix is found in a huge number of feature and animated films, television programs and so on.
- In 2012, A Little Less Conversation was used in a BMW ad.
A Little Less Conversation lyrics
chorus:
A little less conversation, a little more action please
All this aggravation ain’t satisfying me
A little more bite and a little less bark
A little less fight and a little more spark
Close your mouth and open up your heart and baby satisfy me
Satisfy me baby
Baby close your eyes and listen to the music
Drifting through a summer breeze
It’s a groovy night and I can show you how to use it
Come along with me and put your mind at ease
Come on baby I’m tired of talking
Grab your coat and let’s start walking
Come on, come on
Come on, come on
Come on, come on
Don’t procrastinate, don’t articulate
Girl it’s getting late, gettin’ upset waitin’ around
“A Little Less Conversation” lyrics
Chorus:
A little less talk, a little more action, please.
All these complications do not satisfy me
A little more biting and a little less barking
A little less fighting and a little more sparks
Shut your mouth, open your heart and satisfy me baby
Satisfy me baby
Baby close your eyes and listen to the music
Feeling the summer breeze
It’s a cool night and I can show you how to use it
Come with me and don’t worry about a thing
Come on baby, I’m tired of talking
Grab your coat and let’s go for a walk
Come on, come on
Come on, come on
Come on, come on
Don’t hesitate, no explanation needed
Girl, it’s getting late and it’s sad to be here
