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Jan 5, 2023 · Elvis Costello Greatest Hits. philmillar46. 37 videos 164,932 views Last updated on Jan 5, 2023. Play all. 1. 2:57. Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Oliver's Army. •. 10M views • 8 years...
- The Signature Songs
- The Fan Favorites
- The Commentaries
- The Collaborations
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Watching The Detectives
No matter what musical direction he heads in, there are a handful of signature songs that Costello can never get offstage without playing. “Watching the Detectives” was one of the first Elvis songs many fans ever heard, and it remains one of the most loved, with its reggae groove and guitar salute to John Barry’s Bond scores. And the storyline about zapping an indifferent date into the movie she’s watching, neatly wraps up Costello’s angry-young man days.
Alison
At the other emotional extreme is “Alison,” arguably the first great ballad to come out of the New Wave movement and a song of conflicted tenderness. Live versions have offered many variations over the years; unlike many songwriters who get sick of their early hits, Costello has continued to find new nuances in this one.
Clubland
The young Costello famously said (in the lyric of “Radio Radio”) that he wanted to bite the hand that fed him, and few songs accomplished that better than “Clubland.” A double-edged song if there ever was one, its lyrics cast a cynical eye at the excesses of nightclub culture and early-80s style – but the song was so bright and upbeat (with a reggae groove influenced by The Police) that those same nightclubs played it to death.
Man Out Of Time
Some Elvis Costello songs aren’t quite famous enough to qualify as greatest hits, but they’re the ones that fans invariably return to again and again. High on that list is “Man Out Of Time,” a highlight track from the much-admired Imperial Bedroom. His first song over five minutes, the lyrics approach Dylanterritory, a dense narrative where nobody can be trusted – least of all the narrator.
High Fidelity
“High Fidelity” earns a place here as Costello’s most danceable track. Fueled by amphetamines and vintage vinyl, he and the Attractions jumped into 60s soul for the 20-track epic Get Happy!!, and with this tune. they proved they could do a Motown groove with the best of them.
The Big Light
Nearly any track from Costello’s roots-music reinvention King of America, could be a contender for fan favorite, but “The Big Light,” is a stone-country stomp that’s about as feisty as hangover songs ever get. The song impressed Johnny Cash enough to lead off an album with it; Costello’s version also gives a tasty solo spot to guitarist James Burton, who spent years playing with the other Elvis.
’Less Than Zero’
Costello has been weighing in on societal issues since day one: his very first UK single, “Less Than Zero,” was written in disgust after seeing a notorious racist being politely interviewed on British TV. Because the meaning didn’t translate abroad, this was the song he famously cut short onSaturday Night Live,telling his band there was “no reason to do this song here.”
Shipbuilding
One of his next great protest songs was less a rant than a lament: “Shipbuilding” marked the effects of the Falklands War, specifically the revival of the shipbuilding business at the cost of their sons’ lives. A rare writing collaboration between Costello and Clive Langer, its stately melody (and Chet Baker’s jazz-noir guest solo) stood out among the otherwise raucous spirits of 1983’s Punch the Clockalbum.
Tramp the Dirt Down
Costello would take many jabs at the Thatcher era and Margaret Thatcher herself, but never with quite the venom of “Tramp the Dirt Down,” which expresses the wish that he could outlive her just to stomp on her grave. The Chieftains add a haunting touch to this Spiketrack.
Veronica
In recent decades, Elvis Costello has put much of his heart into working with other artists, and he’s challenged himself by working with the best there is. Most famously, he jumped into the ring with Paul McCartneyin the late 80s; their writing session was fruitful enough to produce standouts on two Costello and two McCartney albums. One of the first to see release, “Veronica,” was everything fans hoped for – a feast of great hooks and lyrical depth; the words tell the story of Costello’s gra...
God Give Me Strength
Modern songwriters don’t get more iconic than Burt Bacharach, and though their collaboration began by fax, it became a strong connection yielding an album full of heartfelt torch songs, Painted From Memory. The classic from these sessions was the first they wrote together, “God Give Me Strength.” Written for Allison Anders’ film Grace of My Heart – a loosely fictionalized story of the 60s songwriting hotbed the Brill Building– it seamlessly matched Bacharach’s melodic grace with the emotional...
Jacksons, Monk & Rowe
One of Costello’s biggest stretches was The Juliet Letters, a 1993 song cycle written and performed with England’s Brodsky Quartet. Neither strictly pop nor classical, it drew equally from both. One of the gems was “Jacksons, Monk & Rowe,” which resembled a vintage Costello pop tune.
Explore the diverse and eclectic musical career of Elvis Costello, from his signature songs to his fan favorites and commentaries. Find out which tracks cover reggae, opera, jazz, country, and more.
- Brett Milano
- 4 min
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Welcome to the official Elvis Costello channel!'The Songs Of Bacharach And Costello' is out now! https://elviscostello.lnk.to/tsobac/elvis
The official Elvis Costello playlist featuring top hits and new tracks from 'Spanish Model.'. Listen to the new Spanish singles of "Pump It Up," "Radio, Radio" and "La Chica De Hoy (This Year's...
Declan Patrick MacManus OBE, known professionally as Elvis Costello, is an English singer, songwriter, record producer, author and television presenter. Per Rolling Stone, Costello "reinvigorated the literate, lyrical traditions of Bob Dylan and Van Morrison with the raw energy and sass that were principal ethics of punk", noting the "construction of his songs, which set densely layered ...
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Home. Elvis Costello. ⇽ Back to List of Artists. Elvis Costello (b. 1954) is an English musician that was a part of the new wave/punk scene who has continued to evolve over the years and...
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