Elvis Costello

[Allroy]

Lately I've been on a Elvis Costello listening binge.

Is anyone else a fan? What's your favourite album/song/etc??

My favourite song would have to be Everyday I Write The Book.

[Steph]

My fave Elvis song will always be Veronica. Great tune, great video.

I saw him at the Edmonton Folk Fest over a decade ago.

And now he's married a wonderful Canadian and given her twins so I know he has good taste. :)

[scotzoidman]

Mr. McManus is scheduled to do a show here soon, performing with the Nashville Symphony...he's all over the road these days, crossing genres as quickly as some change hairstyles, clearly unafraid to challenge his fans.

His early stuff, my favorites would be Accidents Will Happen, & of course (What's So Funny 'bout) Peace Love & Understanding (written for him by Nick Lowe)...somewhat later, he did a greatly underappreciated album called "Spike" which contained Veronica, but I can still enjoy nearly every track on that collection...

I once explained to friend who doesn't "get" EC that his music is great if you enjoy sharing how pissed-off he is about nearly everything ;)

[Winston77]

Alison
http://www.videocodezone.com/videos/e/elvis_costello/alison.html

Just for Steph
http://www.videocodezone.com/videos/e/elvis_costello/veronica.html

[Mae]

Well, once in awhile I can stand "Veronica".

[Steph]

Just for Steph
http://www.videocodezone.com/videos/e/elvis_costello/veronica.html


:molest:

I'm on my second viewing and I'm afraid to listen to Alison because it'll be stuck in my head for 12574 years. I worked with an Alison at my last job. She was in her early 20s and had never heard that song!

[Mae]

I remember a video of Elvis Costello singing "What's so funny about peace love an understanding?" I understood the message of the song, but the warbly delivery and him moving awkwardly through trees...well, my funny bone was tickled beyond endurance.

[scotzoidman]

"Veronica" was in honor of his grandmother, who was slipping away with Alzeimer's, & was co-written with Sir Paul MacCartney...at the time it was out, I was also dealing with the same situation with my father, & reading the lyrics makes the song a little more understandable, & cuts a little deeper...

I checked out the video links, & was disappointed that they didn't have the vid of "Accidents Will Happen"...I saw it once on MTV many years ago (when they still played musc videos :P ), completely animated with diagrams of how various household accidents happen...one of the best vids I ever saw that didn't show the artist's face in any way...

[Mae]

Scotzoid...thank you for the facts on that song. I did like the video. Yeah...I miss the old MTV days, too. Wish they would have those videos on again. I remember when MTV began. That night was an around the world beer party at KEZY, where I was the late night DJ. Gads that was years ago. I am sorry to hear about your dad.

[Allroy]

LOL @ people calling him Mr. McManus.

What would you call him if you came face to face with the man?? Elvis? Mr. Costello? Mr. McManus?

OR

Declan Patrick Aloysius MacManus

[LixyChick]

"I used to be disgusted...but now I'm just amused"

Or something like that^^^

[gekkogecko]

What's he been up to lately? I'm really only familiar with some of his early stuff.

[scotzoidman]

What's he been up to lately? I'm really only familiar with some of his early stuff.
Costello article (http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070906/ENTERTAINMENT01/709060309/1055/ENTERTAINMENT)

You're welcome.

[scotzoidman]

"I used to be disgusted...but now I'm just amused"

Or something like that^^^
"...now I try to be amused,
But since their wings have gotten rusted,
You know the Angels wanna wear my Red Shoes"

Close enough, I guess...I remember seeing it as a t-shirt slogan ;)

Mae, I remember being completely turned off at first by Costello & his snotty punk attitude...took a few years for me to catch on that here was a sensitive yet cynical man that thought a lot like I did, except he had the balls to say these things out loud...

[Loulabelle]

I have nothing against his songs, I just wish he'd get someone else to sing them for him. He doesn't seem to sing with a natural voice, and his fake accent and nasal style just grates on my nerves. I had an ex who was a HUGE fan and I was subjected to every album he'd made to date....drove me crazy!

[scotzoidman]

He has had others cover his material, & some of those are quite good...but it just doesn't seem to have the same "bite" as when he sings them himself.

(Sorry if it seems like my obsession is showing...)