Jay & Amber, you'll love his "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding", "Alison"(softer), and "Watching The Detectives" !! He's has some of the best late 70s, early 80s 'new wave' !!
Elvis Costello is a very interesting and deep rabbit hole! Watching the Detectives, Everyday I Write The Book and Alison are not to be missed. Oh yeah....Peace Love and Understanding
@@robdee9341People at my school had and played This Year's Model with him about to take a picture with that camera-tripod set up,and then Armed Forces with that same cover with the elephants on it. At least one of them also had My Aim is True. I love Watching the Detectives,especially that line about her filing her nails,and it ran into the time when I first got to see the Alfred Hitchcock classic Psycho,making me think of the last-but-one scene in it before the one with Norman Bates in a padded cell. Though Alison was out as a single before it and Watching the Detectives was the first song of his/theirs to break through into the hit parade (number 15 in late 1977),it was the next single I Don't Want to Go to Chelsea (number 16 in the Easter holiday period in 1978) that was the first song of his/theirs that I heard. Pump it Up was the next single,hitting at the end of spring/start of summer,after which came Radio Radio that autumn. Then,in February 1979,came the huge success of Oliver's Army which got to number 2 in the run-up to that year's Easter holidays. Accidents Will Happen came after that,and they could do a reaction video to all of those songs and many more!
What's great about Elvis Costello is the evolution of his style and at the time this came out, the British wave was already in full swing. There are punk elements but also a touch of Ska in some of his songs back then. Another fun song of his is "Watching the Detectives" and a sweet song he wrote about his grandmother "Veronica" (co-written with Paul McCartney - who also plays bass on the song!) but there's lots more! ❣
Agree with so many of the comments here---I'd also add Radio, Radio - another great song/video similar to this one. Then, of course, Peace, Love and Understanding. Nick Lowe's version is terrific also---he wrote it! Then, in the '80s--- "Everyday I Write the Book" - Great song and another fun video with Prince Charles and Lady Diana lookalikes. Then, I'd add "Let Them All Talk"
Elvis is such a great writer, and can really turn a phrase. "She's filing her nails while they're draggin' the lake" is one of my favorite lines of all time.
went to an Elvis Costello concert in 1991, Australia. Costello likes his audience to be standing up close to the stage, so he invites everyone up. He tells security to back off as we have all paid for our tickets and they havent. In '91 I was heavily pregnant (8months) with my first child but I was not going to miss out at being at the front of the stage. My husband and I being only a few rows back made it easily and after the first song Elvis looked down and saw me, he pulled me up onto the stage and had me seated at the side ontop of one of the stage speakers. I have very fond memories of pump it up vibrating through my butt.
Elvis ushered in the 80's style. He was doing this when disco was at its peak. Folks started looking for something new and exciting--the next big thing--and here it was. The Talking Heads, The Cure, The Clash, Joy Division, and the rest of them crashed in and gave us something different. Despite how dissonant it might sound at times, it's always very musical. Elvis has music running through his veins.
Elvis Costello is a masterful songwriter. Oliver's army is the big one from this era, but his later stuff is quality too. Everyday I write the book is a standout slower song.
@@hotblackdesiato3022 Be careful Jay and Amber because I don't think you'll be able to get Oliver's Army by UA-cam's sensors. But it is a great record and by all means, listen to it but I doubt if you'll be able to get it up on UA-cam.
Costello is my favorite Elvis , sooo many songs, Allison, Oliver's army, Watching the detectives, Red shoes, just can not go wrong with Elvis Costello.
Got to meet Elvis Costello at Cain’s Ballroom a few years back. I was near the front in the crowd with my “CBGB Umfug” T-shirt on. He pointed to me and said, in his very English accent, “Any girl in Tulsa, Oklahoma wearing a CBGB T-shirt is worth my time! Nice one, love! Let’s get a picture after the show!” Then after the show the husband and I met him. I have a great photo with him and a hand written song he was working on that day before the show. He signed it and he was so personable and awesome to talk to. He said his happiest moment was working with and writing song with Paul McCartney.
Quirky punk is a great way to describe both Elvis Costello and The Talking Heads. Yes, he's from the UK. He has a deep catalog with tons of great songs. He's also great a producer. "Tempted" by Squeeze was produced by him and he joined for some of the background vocals on that song.
" What's so about Peace, Love and Understanding" Love Elvis! Punk Rock! Rumor has it that a new Led Zeppelin,with new material will be released this year.
Elvis Costello is currently on tour. What an amazing career he has. Too many great songs to list here. People should always start at the beginning and see the progression of his music.
3:45 At the time, we started using the term "New Wave". Can't recall who coined it, I'm sure it was in a magazine or newspaper article. People these days seem to recall the later synth bands with the term, but it started with guitars. Like Amber said - Cars/Talking Heads (I'd add early Pretenders/U2/REM to that list). I said back then, "..it's Punk, but with better lyrics and musicians." His real name is Declan McManus, he chose "Elvis" as a stage name on purpose! Myself and my little band of Punks/Wavers must have spent the entire first half of the 1980s saying, "No, I mean the *new* Elvis. Not the *old* one." 🤣 I still recall an infamous episode of Saturday Night Live where they told him he could play any song but his "Radio, Radio" (a pretty strong satire of the media industry). They started the intro of "Less Than Zero" - and then he stopped the band, apologized to the audience..and they played R/R. They never invited him back, even after his later stuff got more popular. I can't find a complete video of the whole incident, but Jae might actually like the song..he loves that up-tempo stuff, right?
I have been trying to get you guys to listen to Elvis Costello for 2 years now. So glad you liked him. His actual name is Declan Patrick Aloyisus McManus and the head of the record label said he would never sell a single record with that name and changed his name to Elvis Costello. This was Stiff Records, a British label that had a lot of great New Wave acts (That's what kind of music this is, New Wave). It took him a couple of albums to break in the U.S., but he was great from the start. So much great music and such a great band. I saw them live and they were great. The Attractions broke up eventually, but Elvis has continued on. He has so much great music and there have already been a lot of great suggestions listed below. One correction I want to make is that (What's So Funny About )Peace, Love And Understanding is not a song Elvis wrote. It was written by the great Nick Lowe and covered by Elvis (Elvis rocked it more). You should also listen To some Nick Lowe, Cruel To Be Kind would be a great start.
Nick Lowe has been a regular producer of EC's albums over the years, too. And now they are touring together (in separate bands) in 2023. Btw, Elvis/Declan is married to Canadian jazz pianist and vocalist Diana Krall. He hosted a fun TV show interviewing other musicians for a while, too. Here's part of the show with Bruce Springsteen. ua-cam.com/video/8Rso0096uC4/v-deo.html
Ahhhh Stiff Records ... anybody else have a Stiff Records shirt from back in the day with their classic slogan ... "If it ain't Stiff ... It ain't worth a f***". Wish I still had that shirt now ... :)
This brings back the memories! When my granddaughter was 3 she would rock out to this on the way home from daycare. 10 years later, she still loves it! I love it that we have always bonded over music.
@@neilford8580, I always had music playing when I picked her up. One day, it was Elton John's Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters and she got so quiet and listened intently until the end. Then she said, " Will you please play that one again?" Five years old. I still get tears in my eyes thinking about it. Very special.
Now "THIS" is New Wave....he came out the same time as Blondie, The Clash, Madness, Talking Heads.....a breath of fresh air. Yes, he is English. If you read the lyrics, they are very clever and he is known for that. He has been called the poet laurate of rock and roll.
Such a fun song! I remember seeing Elvis Costello with Talking Heads opening up back in '78 at The Paramount for $1. Some of the Catch a Rising Star shows were great.
Elvis Costello Talking Heads etc are considered New Wave which was basically the evolution of punk a lot of the bands started off as punk but as thier musical abilities grew they began performing more complex songs
Elvis Costello, aka Declan McManus, has always been a favorite.. he was part of the UKs New Wave in the late 70s-early 80s.. and his sound was definitely power-pop. He has always had a flair for lyrics.. and grew into one of rock music's finest songwriters. Suggestions: New Lace Sleeves Clubland What's So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding? Veronica(co-written w/ Paul McCartney) Accidents Will Happen Radio Radio High Fidelity I could go on, but this is a good start.. Happy listening.
THANK YOU!!! EC started in the late 70's and is going strong still. Can I please suggest you do his video version of the song 'Veronica' that he wrote for his grandmom? It's heartbreaking and beautiful! Please watch it! I have been to more EC live shows than any other band or artist. His shows are amazing! He's ventured into so many different types of music and never fails. (He actually did an amazing album with Burt Bacharach) The last concert I saw a few yrs ago were with 2 of these very bandmates! I hope to catch him again soon.
Elvis Costello is a top 10 artist for me, so very pleased you're discovering him. He's so multi-layered and you can keep going back to him for so many musical experiences. Try Beyond Belief or Little Palaces.
I remember when Elvis Costello was ( supposedly ) banned from Saturday Night Live in 1977. He was supposed to play Less Than Zero. They started to play it, then they stopped and went into the song Radio Radio.
Yes Amber, they are British. Good call. Part of the second British Invasion in 1977 of punk and new wave music. Elvis ( real name Declan ) continues to put out quality music and last month played a ten day stand in New York which had a different set list each night, performing over 250 songs total. I'd like to suggest " Radio, Radio ", another early infectious fun song with a killer keyboard riff.
I saw Elvis Costello and The Attractions in '77 at a small venue in Paisley, Scotland. There was only about a hundred people at the gig and I'm very glad I was one of them. A class act.
I love his songs “Veronica,” “Everyday (I Write the Book),” “(What’s So Funny About) Peace, Love, and Understanding?,” “Allison,” “Radio, Radio,” and “The Angels Want to Wear My Red Shoes.”
Oh man lets go down the Elvis Costello rabbit hole!!! One of my favorites. Great English Band from the late seventies and still playing live shows. Pump It Up great starter. Elvis is another one of those super talented artists that has great slow songs with heavy meanings and can crank it like Pump It Up. So I suggest listening to Peace Love and Understanding, Every Day I Write The Book, Radio Radio, Watching The Detectives, Oliver's Army, She, Allison. These are just to get started! Peace, Love, Courage from David in Detroit.
David from Detroit (hey neighbor) is correct!! I think you two would love “What’s so funny ‘bout Peace, Love and Understanding.” Everyday I Write the Book is in my Top 5 All Time favorite songs.
My favorites of Elvis Costello: Every Day I Write the Book, (Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes, Veronica, Watching the Detectives, Alison, Accidents Will Happen, (Whats So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love and Understanding. And then there is one other that (although a good song with good intentions) the artist has requested that we don’t play anymore because of a particular word that is never okay.
Dang...... I was supposed to be at an Elvis Costello concert right now, here in Melbourne! Bummed as it was cancelled but one of the band members came down with covid and hope they're all ok. Rescheduled a full year away... something to look forward to. My favourite Costello tune is still "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding"
I kind of consider Elvis Costello as British “New Wave” music. He started in the 1970’s. Try “(What’s So Funny About) Peace, Love and Understanding” or “Alison” or “(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes” or “Watching the Detectives”
Oh excellent that you found Elvis, one of the greats of British music, he arrived on the Stiff Records bandwagon (it was a virtual bandwagon, each year Stiff Records formed a 'slate' of new bands/artists, released an album with 1 or 2 songs from each and took the whole slate on tour) Elvis was on the 'Stiff '77' tour iirc. Other Stiff artists worth checking out are Ian Dury, Jona Lewie, Lene Lovich and Rachel Sweet, over the years 77-79 Stiff were at the forefront of UK New Wave and gave a good few artists their start. This song 'Pump It Up', was sampled by the Rogue Traders for their hit Voodoo Child, which ALWAYS gets me up dancing, I dare you to resist it...
Elvis Costello is great. He’s married to jazz singer Diana Krall you may want to check her out as well Also one of his ex wives is Caitlin O’Riordan of the Pogues-another band for you to check out
One of my favorite things to do is show my daughters the songs all their favorite artists "borrow" riffs from or that are covers and they don't even know it. As soon as I heard Oliva Rodrigo's "Brutal" I knew where that riff came from!
@Dean M A lot of people think San Diego adjoins LA. I was born in Eureka. Nobody knows there are five hours of towns north of San Francisco. I miss Califirnia so much. Haven't visited in 5 years. Give it a hug for me.
@@sclarkehamlin Even after only 5 years you would not recognize the place. The great state you and I grew up in is gone. So many homeless people, drugs, crime, pollution, horrible roads and the lack of night time street lights all add up. In SoCal there are a few areas that are still nice, mostly in OC, San Diego and Temecula.
There is an artist from the '80s you've yet to check out. Joe Jackson has some sweeping piano songs, but also upbeat rockers like this one. Check out "One More Time" for the bop, and then let "Breaking us Into" move you.
I'm psyched to see you guys reacting to Elvis Costello! He's got a ton of mammoth hits, too many to name. Others here have already mentioned many of the greatest ones. I would add "Veronica" to the list. Edit: Oh yeah, and I forgot about "Accidents Will Happen"!
Finally! One of my faves of all time since my freshman roomie introduced me. Elvis Costello is a brilliant lyricist -- so much word play -- and has played in so many styles. He just played ten nights in NYC and did 250 songs! Check out Alison, Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes, Radio Radio, Watching the Detectives, Punch the Clock, Everyday I Write the Book, Shipbuilding, High Fidelity, Love for Tender, You Little Fool, Town Cryer (those French horns at the end!)... Yeah, it's a deep and winding rabbit hole. Dive in!
Cars, Talking Heads and Elvis Costello are all what some folks call "post-punk" bands. All of them are also in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Good catch ID'ing Elvis (not his real name!) as British.
Elvis Costello is an extremely talented songwriter. He has 30+ albums which range from the raw, semi-punk sound to the most beautifully written, produced and sophisticated tracks. My Aim Is True, This Year's Model, Armed Forces, Get Happy, Imperial Bedroom, Spike, Mighty Like A Rose, All This Useless Beauty, The Juliet Letters, etc. are all wonderful albums. Declan MacManus, (his real name) surrounds himself with 1st rate musicians making his albums so worthwhile to listen to. You have now entered the world of Elvis Costello and you will be rewarded with tracks that I believe are the closest to the talents of The Beatles in the rock/pop music era.
Elvis Costello is a quirky and eccentric artist. He is also very eclectic. He has done everything from things that sound like jazz, to just pure rock 'n' roll, sophisticated American-style pop with Burt Bacharach. Amber got it right, these guys were from "across the pond", and they were definitely on the "New Wave"/Punk Wave. He started in the 1970s. He came on Saturday night live, started to do a song that he had permission to do, stop the ban right after they started, and then started a song that he was told he couldn't do! Basically a kind of middle finger to both the network and the producers of the show. But it was a great moment, and I got to see it live on television over at a friends house. We were all blown away by this little ho took on a kind of buddy Holly like stage persona, while taking his his first name from The King. He had a few hits, and has continued making music over the years. He even had his own talk show I think for a while over "across the pond". He just recently did a 10 night gig in New York City, where he did like hundreds of songs, and I heard a live show that he just did recently even more recently, I think in New Jersey, where he bragged that not a single one of them was one of his hits. I think you will like lots of his songs. Thank you for doing a reaction to this one. It was indeed a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Absolutely the next EC song you need to do is, Peace, Love and Understanding. He was part of the post-punk, new wave invasion of the late 70s, early 80s. The inspiration of many artists in the 80's. He was not a rockstar, he was a nerd who had serious things to say.
Great choice, Nick Lowe wrote that song when he was in Brinsley Schwarz, so EC's version is a cover. Nothing wrong with a good cover, and maybe it opens the door for some Nick Lowe as well.
This Elvis did some great movie Cameos. 200 Cigarettes and Talladega Nights. Anytime they want to establish that a person in a movie is among the coolest people on the planet they have them hang out with Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello is actually my #1 favorite recording artist of all time, with a crazy variety of styles. I will recommend a scad of great songs of his. Some will be among his recognized best, while others will be my personal favorites that never got the attention they deserved. 1. Watching the Detectives 2. The Crooked Line 3. Alison 4. Let Me Tell You About Her 5. (I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea 6. You Shouldn't Look at Me That Way 7. Radio Radio 8. Shipbuilding 9. Everyday I Write the Book 10. High Fidelity 11. Motel Matches 12. Blue Chair 13. All This Useless Beauty 14. There's a Story in Your Voice 15. Scarlet Tide 16. Suspect My Tears 17. In the Darkest Place 18. Sulphur to Sugarcane And that's just the start. This guy has been cranking out excellent songs over and over for more than 40 years. In these 18 songs you will hear pub rock, pop standards, country balladry, post-punk, juke joint rock, and a couple of unique little pop tunes that hit the top40 in America. I almost envy that you get the chance to hear these songs for the very first time. The breadth of Elvis Costello's career is breath taking. Have fun!
There are lots of great songs by Elvis Costello & The Attractions. But some of my favourites are New Lace Sleeves, Alison, and Everyday I Write The Book.
They were a new wave/post-punk group/dance-punk with many good songs during the '70s and '80s. .. They were a little quirky. Another good song and video is "I Don't Want to go to- Chelsea" . This was early new wave (which has some punk rock roots) (late '70s) Ahead of their time. . lol. Elvis is the nerdy version of Iggy Pop, too. Other groups like them are Gang of Four, The Pretenders, Artic Monkeys, Devo, some B-52s, Franz Ferdinand, Missing Persons, Romeo Void, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Metric, The Knack, Bloc Party, Jim Carroll Band, The Vapors, Santigold, etc They were from UK, you are right. They were more edgy compared to the US back then. Ahead of their time. Lot of alternative, punk, new wave is cutting edge.
Elvis Costello was a punker that rode the new or 2nd wave of the punk revolution. His start comes as a fan and pal of the Ramones. Chris Isaac, who was a bouncer and roadie for the Ramones back then tells a story about how Costello first took to the stage, when a warmup act for a Ramones concert didn't show. The crowd started getting rowdy and when Costello, with a handful of songs, opened up with Alison, the rowdy punk crowd was won over, and a star was born.
Elvis Costello is the bomb! He started "New Wave in the 80's!!" I have several of his lp's. Every song is great. "Olivier's Army" next. Also, can you see where Olivia Rodrigo stole this song?! Again, it's "NEW WAVE" music!!! Hus look reminded me if Buddy Holly - another brilliant sing writer. Yes, Elvis is British.
Early Elvis Costello was post-punk. Post-punk is punk at it's core and it's attitude, but expands it's sound into other areas. Post-Punk of the late '70s, early '80s was included under the much broader umbrella of New Wave. New Wave bands on the other end of the spectrum were Duran Duran, DePeche Mode, Flock of Seagulls, Erasure, etc.
You picked a great song of theirs but they have a lot of great stuff....they are new wave/punk/ early alternative band one of those bands that were hard to categorized them....love your reactions❤❤
Jay & Amber, you'll love his "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding", "Alison"(softer), and "Watching The Detectives" !!
He's has some of the best late 70s, early 80s 'new wave' !!
Or the original version of what’s so funny - by
Brinsley Schwartz
Also, "Radio, Radio".
Yes!
@@rmac8008 they did a Nick Lowe song about 5 months ago, so perhaps they'll do that Brinsley Schwarz single.
Love Linda Ronstadt's cover of "Alison."
Elvis Costello is a very interesting and deep rabbit hole! Watching the Detectives, Everyday I Write The Book and Alison are not to be missed. Oh yeah....Peace Love and Understanding
Oliver's Army. Angels want to wear my Red Shoes.....the list is almost endless.
Elvis Costello has about 25 songs you would love. The whole album Armed Forces doesn't have a single bad song. Keep going!
This Years Model is my favorite
The first two albums have no bad songs either.
Brutal Youth is my fave but yall aren't wrong.
Yeah, I was going to say that Elvis' catalog is one of the deeper rabbit holes you'd enjoy diving into.
@@tempsim9192 under rated to be sure.
"Armed Forces" and "My Aim is True" are both nearly perfect albums. "Watching the Detectives" is a unique and amazing song.
Both "My Aim is True" and "Watching the Detectives" are favorites of mine.
Absolutely love Watching the Detectives!
'Alison' is the song 'My Aim Is True' is the Album title😉
I brought it in 1979 the one with the elephants on the cover. Played it to death. what a brilliant album. Every track a banger..
@@robdee9341People at my school had and played This Year's Model with him about to take a picture with that camera-tripod set up,and then Armed Forces with that same cover with the elephants on it. At least one of them also had My Aim is True. I love Watching the Detectives,especially that line about her filing her nails,and it ran into the time when I first got to see the Alfred Hitchcock classic Psycho,making me think of the last-but-one scene in it before the one with Norman Bates in a padded cell. Though Alison was out as a single before it and Watching the Detectives was the first song of his/theirs to break through into the hit parade (number 15 in late 1977),it was the next single I Don't Want to Go to Chelsea (number 16 in the Easter holiday period in 1978) that was the first song of his/theirs that I heard. Pump it Up was the next single,hitting at the end of spring/start of summer,after which came Radio Radio that autumn. Then,in February 1979,came the huge success of Oliver's Army which got to number 2 in the run-up to that year's Easter holidays. Accidents Will Happen came after that,and they could do a reaction video to all of those songs and many more!
What's great about Elvis Costello is the evolution of his style and at the time this came out, the British wave was already in full swing. There are punk elements but also a touch of Ska in some of his songs back then. Another fun song of his is "Watching the Detectives" and a sweet song he wrote about his grandmother "Veronica" (co-written with Paul McCartney - who also plays bass on the song!) but there's lots more! ❣
Veronica is one of my favourite of his tracks, partly because my own dear mother was named "Veronica".
Agree with so many of the comments here---I'd also add Radio, Radio - another great song/video similar to this one. Then, of course, Peace, Love and Understanding. Nick Lowe's version is terrific also---he wrote it! Then, in the '80s--- "Everyday I Write the Book" - Great song and another fun video with Prince Charles and Lady Diana lookalikes. Then, I'd add "Let Them All Talk"
Love Oliver's Army, but also adore I Write the Book and Good Year For The Roses.
@@Ben-dx1tx The extended maxi single 45 version of 'Let Them All Talk' is an awesome.
Elvis is such a great writer, and can really turn a phrase. "She's filing her nails while they're draggin' the lake" is one of my favorite lines of all time.
went to an Elvis Costello concert in 1991, Australia. Costello likes his audience to be standing up close to the stage, so he invites everyone up. He tells security to back off as we have all paid for our tickets and they havent. In '91 I was heavily pregnant (8months) with my first child but I was not going to miss out at being at the front of the stage. My husband and I being only a few rows back made it easily and after the first song Elvis looked down and saw me, he pulled me up onto the stage and had me seated at the side ontop of one of the stage speakers. I have very fond memories of pump it up vibrating through my butt.
That's such an awesome story and memory! Your child now has a great story too!
Elvis Costello is great.
What a great intro to Mr. Costello! He was a revolution in the late 70s, The New Wave artists of that time brought dance music back to rock.
Elvis ushered in the 80's style. He was doing this when disco was at its peak. Folks started looking for something new and exciting--the next big thing--and here it was. The Talking Heads, The Cure, The Clash, Joy Division, and the rest of them crashed in and gave us something different. Despite how dissonant it might sound at times, it's always very musical. Elvis has music running through his veins.
I totally agree. I felt like he stared the 80's before we got there.
Yep, Elvis, along with punk, post-punk and new wave, was the return of the danceable, tight 3-6 minute with no guitar solo. The opposite of prog-rock.
They called it New Wave music. This is my most favorite Elvis.
So glad you tried Elvis! He has a lot of great songs. My personal favorite is Veronica.
Elvis Costello is a masterful songwriter. Oliver's army is the big one from this era, but his later stuff is quality too. Everyday I write the book is a standout slower song.
Love to see them do this-Olivers Army is such a classic-be fun to see them try to understand all the British references in the lyrics!
Two great recommendations, each have outstanding lyrics!
And "Alison" too.
@@elcorado83 might want to give them a heads up on on the n-word usage, even though it's not racist at all.
@@hotblackdesiato3022 Be careful Jay and Amber because I don't think you'll be able to get Oliver's Army by UA-cam's sensors. But it is a great record and by all means, listen to it but I doubt if you'll be able to get it up on UA-cam.
Costello is my favorite Elvis , sooo many songs, Allison, Oliver's army, Watching the detectives, Red shoes, just can not go wrong with Elvis Costello.
Got to meet Elvis Costello at Cain’s Ballroom a few years back. I was near the front in the crowd with my “CBGB Umfug” T-shirt on.
He pointed to me and said, in his very English accent, “Any girl in Tulsa, Oklahoma wearing a CBGB T-shirt is worth my time! Nice one, love! Let’s get a picture after the show!”
Then after the show the husband and I met him. I have a great photo with him and a hand written song he was working on that day before the show. He signed it and he was so personable and awesome to talk to.
He said his happiest moment was working with and writing song with Paul McCartney.
T-Town represent!
Elvis Costello is a wonderful rabbit hole!xx
100% fact ❤
Absolutely
100% agree
Quirky punk is a great way to describe both Elvis Costello and The Talking Heads. Yes, he's from the UK. He has a deep catalog with tons of great songs. He's also great a producer. "Tempted" by Squeeze was produced by him and he joined for some of the background vocals on that song.
I love Elvis Costello! Watching the Detectives next!!
“What’s so funny about peace, love, and understanding” should be your next Elvis Costello song. One of the best songs ever!
One of my favorite Elvis Costello tunes is "Alison."
" What's so about Peace, Love and Understanding" Love Elvis! Punk Rock!
Rumor has it that a new Led Zeppelin,with new material will be released this year.
Elvis Costello is currently on tour. What an amazing career he has. Too many great songs to list here. People should always start at the beginning and see the progression of his music.
Yeah -he still sounds GREAT, too...
Seeing him at the Hollywood Bowl in So Cal in August!
I saw him a few months ago with Nick Lowe opening for him. What a great show!
One of the best concerts I have ever been to...Queen Elizabeth theatre in BC about....15 or so years ago.
3:45 At the time, we started using the term "New Wave". Can't recall who coined it, I'm sure it was in a magazine or newspaper article. People these days seem to recall the later synth bands with the term, but it started with guitars. Like Amber said - Cars/Talking Heads (I'd add early Pretenders/U2/REM to that list). I said back then, "..it's Punk, but with better lyrics and musicians."
His real name is Declan McManus, he chose "Elvis" as a stage name on purpose! Myself and my little band of Punks/Wavers must have spent the entire first half of the 1980s saying, "No, I mean the *new* Elvis. Not the *old* one." 🤣
I still recall an infamous episode of Saturday Night Live where they told him he could play any song but his "Radio, Radio" (a pretty strong satire of the media industry). They started the intro of "Less Than Zero" - and then he stopped the band, apologized to the audience..and they played R/R. They never invited him back, even after his later stuff got more popular. I can't find a complete video of the whole incident, but Jae might actually like the song..he loves that up-tempo stuff, right?
I have been trying to get you guys to listen to Elvis Costello for 2 years now. So glad you liked him. His actual name is Declan Patrick Aloyisus McManus and the head of the record label said he would never sell a single record with that name and changed his name to Elvis Costello. This was Stiff Records, a British label that had a lot of great New Wave acts (That's what kind of music this is, New Wave). It took him a couple of albums to break in the U.S., but he was great from the start. So much great music and such a great band. I saw them live and they were great. The Attractions broke up eventually, but Elvis has continued on. He has so much great music and there have already been a lot of great suggestions listed below. One correction I want to make is that (What's So Funny About )Peace, Love And Understanding is not a song Elvis wrote. It was written by the great Nick Lowe and covered by Elvis (Elvis rocked it more). You should also listen To some Nick Lowe, Cruel To Be Kind would be a great start.
Nick Lowe has been a regular producer of EC's albums over the years, too. And now they are touring together (in separate bands) in 2023. Btw, Elvis/Declan is married to Canadian jazz pianist and vocalist Diana Krall. He hosted a fun TV show interviewing other musicians for a while, too. Here's part of the show with Bruce Springsteen.
ua-cam.com/video/8Rso0096uC4/v-deo.html
Ahhhh Stiff Records ... anybody else have a Stiff Records shirt from back in the day with their classic slogan ... "If it ain't Stiff ... It ain't worth a f***". Wish I still had that shirt now ... :)
@@timdore1131 Don't have a shirt, but still have a pin/badge with that Stiff Records phrase. :)
@@parissimons6385 Awesome … we grew up in a great era!!!
Many great Elvis Costello hits to check out. "Peace, Love & Understanding" is an essential staple.
Just saw 10 Elvis solo shows in NYC IN February. Genius songwriter and performer.
Could listen to this elvis all day long... A good year for the roses is a favourite
This brings back the memories! When my granddaughter was 3 she would rock out to this on the way home from daycare. 10 years later, she still loves it! I love it that we have always bonded over music.
As a fairly recent father that is amazing and I can't wait to have that with my two boys!
@@neilford8580, I always had music playing when I picked her up. One day, it was Elton John's Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters and she got so quiet and listened intently until the end. Then she said, " Will you please play that one again?" Five years old. I still get tears in my eyes thinking about it. Very special.
Love Elvis C. This works well on the dance floor with some Squeeze, XTC, Stranglers, Sniff and the Tears and the Jam
Now "THIS" is New Wave....he came out the same time as Blondie, The Clash, Madness, Talking Heads.....a breath of fresh air. Yes, he is English. If you read the lyrics, they are very clever and he is known for that. He has been called the poet laurate of rock and roll.
Quirky & Punk indeed. "Watching The Detectives" is a great one by him. So is "Chelsea"
"Watching The Detectives" & "Everyday I Write The Book" are must-listen Elvis Costello songs
Yes “ELVIS “ is quirky!!
You got it!!!
Quirky, Punk Folk is such a great description of Elvis C. So many more songs from him that you will love.
LOVE IT !! I'm 64 & seen Elvis 9 times...met him in 1981... this is my Fav song.... #2 Mystery Dance
Such a fun song! I remember seeing Elvis Costello with Talking Heads opening up back in '78 at The Paramount for $1. Some of the Catch a Rising Star shows were great.
Elvis Costello is of the most original, versatile, and enduring artists in Rock’n’Roll. He’s clever and cheeky- and that distinctive voice!
Elvis Costello Talking Heads etc are considered New Wave which was basically the evolution of punk a lot of the bands started off as punk but as thier musical abilities grew they began performing more complex songs
Elvis Costello, aka Declan McManus, has always been a favorite.. he was part of the UKs New Wave in the late 70s-early 80s.. and his sound was definitely power-pop. He has always had a flair for lyrics.. and grew into one of rock music's finest songwriters.
Suggestions:
New Lace Sleeves
Clubland
What's So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding?
Veronica(co-written w/ Paul McCartney)
Accidents Will Happen
Radio Radio
High Fidelity
I could go on, but this is a good start..
Happy listening.
THANK YOU!!! EC started in the late 70's and is going strong still. Can I please suggest you do his video version of the song 'Veronica' that he wrote for his grandmom? It's heartbreaking and beautiful! Please watch it! I have been to more EC live shows than any other band or artist. His shows are amazing! He's ventured into so many different types of music and never fails. (He actually did an amazing album with Burt Bacharach) The last concert I saw a few yrs ago were with 2 of these very bandmates! I hope to catch him again soon.
Oh yes, Elvis Costello has many terrific songs. Explore his catalogue.
The bass line drives this song. Elvis's vocal lines are brilliant. I still have the UK LP (This year's model) from way back. Every song great!
Peace, Love, and Understanding.
Elvis Costello is a top 10 artist for me, so very pleased you're discovering him. He's so multi-layered and you can keep going back to him for so many musical experiences. Try Beyond Belief or Little Palaces.
Watching the Detectives is another great Costello song off a fantastic album
Aaah. Elvis. The one I love. ✨
And Amber, yes, funky punk folk jazz. ❤
I remember when Elvis Costello was ( supposedly ) banned from Saturday Night Live in 1977. He was supposed to play Less Than Zero. They started to play it, then they stopped and went into the song Radio Radio.
"I Don't Want To Go To Chelsea" by these guys. It has an amazing riff that Jay would love.
I love "I Don't Want to Go To Chelsea". I still haven't found out why but it has such a cool song and the riff is amazing.
My favourite too 👍
FINALLY!!! I love this song. The next 2... "Radio Radio" and "Allison". Enjoy.
Yes Amber, they are British. Good call. Part of the second British Invasion in 1977 of punk and new wave music. Elvis ( real name Declan ) continues to put out quality music and last month played a ten day stand in New York which had a different set list each night, performing over 250 songs total. I'd like to suggest " Radio, Radio ", another early infectious fun song with a killer keyboard riff.
Great party song. Gets everyone jumpin. 💃 🎶
Elvis is STILL evolving and making great records.
Very very artsy band and artist!!! very into the 60's vibe!!!
I loved this Elvis. His songs were always a breath of unexpected fresh air for me.
I saw Elvis Costello and The Attractions in '77 at a small venue in Paisley, Scotland. There was only about a hundred people at the gig and I'm very glad I was one of them. A class act.
This was so fun to dance to in the clubs!
One of my all time favorites.
I love his songs “Veronica,” “Everyday (I Write the Book),” “(What’s So Funny About) Peace, Love, and Understanding?,” “Allison,” “Radio, Radio,” and “The Angels Want to Wear My Red Shoes.”
Discovered Elvis through a friend in the Navy back in the 70's. "Angels want to wear my Red Shoes" was my gateway into Elvis addition.
One of my all time fav jams, still play it these days, glad you finally found him!
You've got tons of great Elvis Costello tunes ahead of you.
Oh man lets go down the Elvis Costello rabbit hole!!! One of my favorites. Great English Band from the late seventies and still playing live shows. Pump It Up great starter. Elvis is another one of those super talented artists that has great slow songs with heavy meanings and can crank it like Pump It Up. So I suggest listening to Peace Love and Understanding, Every Day I Write The Book, Radio Radio, Watching The Detectives, Oliver's Army, She, Allison. These are just to get started! Peace, Love, Courage from David in Detroit.
David from Detroit (hey neighbor) is correct!! I think you two would love “What’s so funny ‘bout Peace, Love and Understanding.”
Everyday I Write the Book is in my Top 5 All Time favorite songs.
Ya. Elvis Costello and also the Ramones had a certain punk gift. Good stuff.
Costello just kept getting better and better. Like mentioned his Veronica with McCartney is great. And yes, he's from the UK.
My favorites of Elvis Costello: Every Day I Write the Book, (Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes, Veronica, Watching the Detectives, Alison, Accidents Will Happen, (Whats So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love and Understanding. And then there is one other that (although a good song with good intentions) the artist has requested that we don’t play anymore because of a particular word that is never okay.
Best bass line ever! 🎸🎵😁 Love Elvis and the Attractions!
Dang...... I was supposed to be at an Elvis Costello concert right now, here in Melbourne! Bummed as it was cancelled but one of the band members came down with covid and hope they're all ok. Rescheduled a full year away... something to look forward to. My favourite Costello tune is still "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding"
I kind of consider Elvis Costello as British “New Wave” music. He started in the 1970’s. Try “(What’s So Funny About) Peace, Love and Understanding” or “Alison” or “(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes” or “Watching the Detectives”
Oh excellent that you found Elvis, one of the greats of British music, he arrived on the Stiff Records bandwagon (it was a virtual bandwagon, each year Stiff Records formed a 'slate' of new bands/artists, released an album with 1 or 2 songs from each and took the whole slate on tour) Elvis was on the 'Stiff '77' tour iirc. Other Stiff artists worth checking out are Ian Dury, Jona Lewie, Lene Lovich and Rachel Sweet, over the years 77-79 Stiff were at the forefront of UK New Wave and gave a good few artists their start. This song 'Pump It Up', was sampled by the Rogue Traders for their hit Voodoo Child, which ALWAYS gets me up dancing, I dare you to resist it...
Elvis Costello is great.
He’s married to jazz singer Diana Krall you may want to check her out as well
Also one of his ex wives is Caitlin O’Riordan of the Pogues-another band for you to check out
One of my favorite things to do is show my daughters the songs all their favorite artists "borrow" riffs from or that are covers and they don't even know it. As soon as I heard Oliva Rodrigo's "Brutal" I knew where that riff came from!
Prime example of early 80's "New Wave" music. Here in LA the main radio station in the 80's forNew Wave was KROQ 106.7.
"The Roq of the Eighties." I loved KROQ in Orange County!
Rodney on the Roq
@@sclarkehamlin I actually grew up in OC, only said LA because most of the country doesn't know about it.
@Dean M A lot of people think San Diego adjoins LA. I was born in Eureka. Nobody knows there are five hours of towns north of San Francisco. I miss Califirnia so much. Haven't visited in 5 years. Give it a hug for me.
@@sclarkehamlin Even after only 5 years you would not recognize the place. The great state you and I grew up in is gone. So many homeless people, drugs, crime, pollution, horrible roads and the lack of night time street lights all add up. In SoCal there are a few areas that are still nice, mostly in OC, San Diego and Temecula.
Oliver’s Army is an amazing Elvis Costello song
There is an artist from the '80s you've yet to check out. Joe Jackson has some sweeping piano songs, but also upbeat rockers like this one. Check out "One More Time" for the bop, and then let "Breaking us Into" move you.
Joe Jackson is criminally underrated ✌️
I always thought he sounded so different from others when he came out. Great suggestion.
@@andymageen5308 I post that every time I see reaction videos of his music.
Another criminally underrated band from the 80's that you've not yet listened to are XTC. Joe Jackson's favourite band. Try 'Senses Working Overtime'.
And "is she really going out with him"!
Watching the Detectives is worth seeing.
His best IMHO.
I'm psyched to see you guys reacting to Elvis Costello! He's got a ton of mammoth hits, too many to name. Others here have already mentioned many of the greatest ones. I would add "Veronica" to the list. Edit: Oh yeah, and I forgot about "Accidents Will Happen"!
Accidents will Happen- I forgot about that one!
@@Jen-in-Texas Same here! I forgot about that hit, too!
FINALLY! I was wondering when you would finally find Elvis Costello…
The bass line in this song is fantastic....
Finally! One of my faves of all time since my freshman roomie introduced me. Elvis Costello is a brilliant lyricist -- so much word play -- and has played in so many styles. He just played ten nights in NYC and did 250 songs! Check out Alison, Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes, Radio Radio, Watching the Detectives, Punch the Clock, Everyday I Write the Book, Shipbuilding, High Fidelity, Love for Tender, You Little Fool, Town Cryer (those French horns at the end!)... Yeah, it's a deep and winding rabbit hole. Dive in!
Cars, Talking Heads and Elvis Costello are all what some folks call "post-punk" bands. All of them are also in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Good catch ID'ing Elvis (not his real name!) as British.
Elvis is from across the pond. This song is a lot of fun. Love it.
The 🇬🇧 Elvis from the late ‘70’s punk era, Watching the detectives is a goodun too
"Don't tell me you don't know what love is, when you're old enough to know better, when you find strange hands in your sweater..."
Elvis Costello is an extremely talented songwriter. He has 30+ albums which range from the raw, semi-punk sound to the most beautifully written, produced and sophisticated tracks. My Aim Is True, This Year's Model, Armed Forces, Get Happy, Imperial Bedroom, Spike, Mighty Like A Rose, All This Useless Beauty, The Juliet Letters, etc. are all wonderful albums.
Declan MacManus, (his real name) surrounds himself with 1st rate musicians making his albums so worthwhile to listen to.
You have now entered the world of Elvis Costello and you will be rewarded with tracks that I believe are the closest to the talents of The Beatles in the rock/pop music era.
His bass player COOKS!! Thank YOU!!
Elvis Costello is a quirky and eccentric artist. He is also very eclectic. He has done everything from things that sound like jazz, to just pure rock 'n' roll, sophisticated American-style pop with Burt Bacharach. Amber got it right, these guys were from "across the pond", and they were definitely on the "New Wave"/Punk Wave. He started in the 1970s. He came on Saturday night live, started to do a song that he had permission to do, stop the ban right after they started, and then started a song that he was told he couldn't do! Basically a kind of middle finger to both the network and the producers of the show. But it was a great moment, and I got to see it live on television over at a friends house. We were all blown away by this little ho took on a kind of buddy Holly like stage persona, while taking his his first name from The King. He had a few hits, and has continued making music over the years. He even had his own talk show I think for a while over "across the pond". He just recently did a 10 night gig in New York City, where he did like hundreds of songs, and I heard a live show that he just did recently even more recently, I think in New Jersey, where he bragged that not a single one of them was one of his hits. I think you will like lots of his songs. Thank you for doing a reaction to this one. It was indeed a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing it with us.
First saw him in Buffalo in 1977, then Denver in the 1990s, finally in Buffalo/Niagara Falls area last year.
Absolutely the next EC song you need to do is, Peace, Love and Understanding. He was part of the post-punk, new wave invasion of the late 70s, early 80s. The inspiration of many artists in the 80's. He was not a rockstar, he was a nerd who had serious things to say.
Totally agree. Post-punk, new wave is an accurate descriptor for Elvis' style.
Great choice, Nick Lowe wrote that song when he was in Brinsley Schwarz, so EC's version is a cover. Nothing wrong with a good cover, and maybe it opens the door for some Nick Lowe as well.
This Elvis did some great movie Cameos.
200 Cigarettes and Talladega Nights.
Anytime they want to establish that a person in a movie is among the coolest people on the planet they have them hang out with Elvis Costello
His wife, jazz singer Diana Krall has a fantastic voice and would be a perfect fit for "Female Friday".
Elvis Costello is actually my #1 favorite recording artist of all time, with a crazy variety of styles.
I will recommend a scad of great songs of his. Some will be among his recognized best, while others will be my personal favorites that never got the attention they deserved.
1. Watching the Detectives
2. The Crooked Line
3. Alison
4. Let Me Tell You About Her
5. (I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea
6. You Shouldn't Look at Me That Way
7. Radio Radio
8. Shipbuilding
9. Everyday I Write the Book
10. High Fidelity
11. Motel Matches
12. Blue Chair
13. All This Useless Beauty
14. There's a Story in Your Voice
15. Scarlet Tide
16. Suspect My Tears
17. In the Darkest Place
18. Sulphur to Sugarcane
And that's just the start.
This guy has been cranking out excellent songs over and over for more than 40 years. In these 18 songs you will hear pub rock, pop standards, country balladry, post-punk, juke joint rock, and a couple of unique little pop tunes that hit the top40 in America. I almost envy that you get the chance to hear these songs for the very first time. The breadth of Elvis Costello's career is breath taking. Have fun!
Riot Act.
Costello, who is married to Diana Krall, is among the most important artists of the past 45 years.
There are lots of great songs by Elvis Costello & The Attractions. But some of my favourites are New Lace Sleeves, Alison, and Everyday I Write The Book.
They were a new wave/post-punk group/dance-punk with many good songs during the '70s and '80s. .. They were a little quirky. Another good song and video is "I Don't Want to go to- Chelsea" . This was early new wave (which has some punk rock roots) (late '70s) Ahead of their time. . lol. Elvis is the nerdy version of Iggy Pop, too.
Other groups like them are Gang of Four, The Pretenders, Artic Monkeys, Devo, some B-52s, Franz Ferdinand, Missing Persons, Romeo Void, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Metric, The Knack, Bloc Party, Jim Carroll Band, The Vapors, Santigold, etc
They were from UK, you are right. They were more edgy compared to the US back then. Ahead of their time. Lot of alternative, punk, new wave is cutting edge.
Elvis Costello was a punker that rode the new or 2nd wave of the punk revolution. His start comes as a fan and pal of the Ramones. Chris Isaac, who was a bouncer and roadie for the Ramones back then tells a story about how Costello first took to the stage, when a warmup act for a Ramones concert didn't show. The crowd started getting rowdy and when Costello, with a handful of songs, opened up with Alison, the rowdy punk crowd was won over, and a star was born.
These guys ride the line of punk rebellion but with a nerd-chic packaging.
Elvis Costello is the bomb! He started "New Wave in the 80's!!" I have several of his lp's. Every song is great. "Olivier's Army" next. Also, can you see where Olivia Rodrigo stole this song?! Again, it's "NEW WAVE" music!!! Hus look reminded me if Buddy Holly - another brilliant sing writer. Yes, Elvis is British.
Early Elvis Costello was post-punk. Post-punk is punk at it's core and it's attitude, but expands it's sound into other areas. Post-Punk of the late '70s, early '80s was included under the much broader umbrella of New Wave. New Wave bands on the other end of the spectrum were Duran Duran, DePeche Mode, Flock of Seagulls, Erasure, etc.
Perfect gateway song for Elvis Costello!
You picked a great song of theirs but they have a lot of great stuff....they are new wave/punk/ early alternative band one of those bands that were hard to categorized them....love your reactions❤❤
One of my favorites. A New Wave classic.