# Elvis Costello Appreciation Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 19, 2007, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564 "2007-03-19T15:16:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564/21 "2007-03-19T20:33:10Z")
**I love Elvis!!!** I love his restless spirit and the inability to peg him down into one (or ten) categories. **1) Favourite album?** Like that’s even possible. This is hard even by breaking it down by decade because several fight for top positions 70’s: Tie: My Aim Is True / This Year’s Model / Armed Forces 80’s: Tie: Get Happy!! / Spike 90’s: Brutal Youth 00’s: Tie: When I Was Cruel / The Delivery Man **2) Favourite song?** It largely depends on the mood and changes from hour to hour. Right this second, it’s Attractions-era throwback “Monkey to Man” from the Delivery Man. That song scorches! And the video is a load silly fun, too. **3) Favourite cover?** I mainly like MacManus for his songwriting, but I love his rendition of **Let’s Misbehave** from the movie “De-Lovely.” ---
**Author:** ![DaphneBlack](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daphneblack/32/5389_2.png) [@DaphneBlack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaphneBlack)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564/22 "2007-03-19T20:38:36Z")
[QUOTE=Thudlow Boink] And now that I think of it, John Wesley Harding: on some of his earlier albums, in particular, he’s reminiscent of Elvis Costello (and is backed up by some of the Attractions). [/QUOTE] Checked him out on iTunes - amusing review says ‘it’s no fault of his that God gave him the same vocal chords as Elvis Costello’. 🙂 Thanks for the good recommendations all! I have to stick up a little bit for Mighty Like A Rose -‘The Other Side of Summer’ is one of my very favourites, and ‘Couldn’t Call It Unexpected No. 4’ is pretty awesome. But as a whole album, it lacks something I think. It’s telling how few of us are able to pick exact favourites… ---
**Author:** ![DaphneBlack](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daphneblack/32/5389_2.png) [@DaphneBlack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaphneBlack)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564/23 "2007-03-19T20:44:33Z")
[QUOTE=Hey you!] **2) Favourite song?** It largely depends on the mood and changes from hour to hour. Right this second, it’s Attractions-era throwback “Monkey to Man” from the Delivery Man. That song scorches! And the video is a load silly fun, too. [/QUOTE] I love that song and video! I saw it for the first time up very late one night, around Christmas, in Spain on some ‘TOP 40 VIDEOS’ station on the hotel TV. Surreal, but awesome. And the rest of the album is very good, too - people who don’t like ‘late’ EC, what do you think of ‘When I Was Cruel’ and ‘The Delivery Man’? ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564/24 "2007-03-19T20:48:40Z")
I don’t know the albums. But the songs I like best are: “What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding” and “I Don’t Want to go to Chelsea” I’m not sure if those are even the song titles. ---
**Author:** ![Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Only_Mostly_Dead)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564/25 "2007-03-19T20:51:31Z")
My introduction to radioplay Elvis Costello convinced me that he was a very approachable new wave/punk: loaded lyrics over very simple music. Banging out three chords and being the punk Buddy Holly sounded good. Then, I began hearing the songs between the singles, and his progression over time, and came to love that there is so much there. He can be subtle or a sledgehammer, and his composition has grown more clever and complex over time. He is a totally unique artist. I have to admit, I like the gentler songs better, even if the lyrics are that much more bitter: Shipbuilding, Indoor Fireworks, Alison, Brilliant Mistake, Man out of Time. Unsurprisingly, my favorite cover is another slow sip of cold, bitter coffee: “Good Year for the Roses,” written by Jerry Chesnut, and originally sung by George Jones. ---
**Author:** ![aluminumdisc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f6c823/32.png) [@aluminumdisc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aluminumdisc)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564/26 "2007-03-19T21:17:31Z")
Imperial Bedroom is my favorite album, “I Don’t Want to go to Chelsea” favorite tune. Imperial Bedroom Has some of the best songwriting, best playing and arrangements as well as great studio production. It flows better than most Costello records IMO As a tune Chelsea is pure aggression, from a songwriter standpoint it might not be his best tune but from a listener standpoint it is one of his tastiest numbers. Declan MacManus could do no wrong up through Imperial Bedroom. King of America had some fine moments but after that one I kind of lost interest. The Attractions were a hell of a band. I miss the Bass playing of Bruce Thomas . The whole band was just amazing! As a Bass player I thought that B. Thomas just made those great albums groove like no one else could. ---
**Author:** ![kelly5078](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6f9a4e/32.png) [@kelly5078](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kelly5078)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564/27 "2007-03-19T21:32:05Z")
1. This Year’s Model 2. Pump It Up 3. Not really fond of them ---
**Author:** ![JonScribe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3be4f8/32.png) [@JonScribe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JonScribe)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564/28 "2007-03-19T21:47:42Z")
[QUOTE=DaphneBlack] If I am a huge Elvis fan, what other music should I check out? I know, of course, of Talking Heads - what else? [/QUOTE] You might also enjoy Tom Waits, who I think is equally gifted as a lyricist. Can’t pick any favorites among Costello’s albums. The man is so damn prolific, it’s too hard to choose. ---
**Author:** ![xanthous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/53a042/32.png) [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564/29 "2007-03-19T21:52:41Z")
At first thought, my list goes like this: 1. Imperial Bedroom 2. Beyond Belief 3. My Funny Valentine Favorite collaboration album: Painted From Memory with Burt Bacharach Artists I got turned on to because of him: Burt Bacharach (I’ve even seen him in concert a few times!) and Nick Lowe (Dig my Mood and The Convincer are masterpieces IMHO) I’ve seen him in concert at least 4 times, and have only met him in a dream I had once. And I, personally, could listen to The Juliet Letters 1000 times and never get tired of it- I think it’s a fantastic album. ---
**Author:** ![aluminumdisc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f6c823/32.png) [@aluminumdisc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aluminumdisc)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564/30 "2007-03-19T21:56:27Z")
[QUOTE=DaphneBlack] The only Nick Lowe song I know is ‘Cruel to Be Kind’ but I like it - I’ll definitely check him out. [/QUOTE] Nick has some great albums. Pure Pop for Now People Labour of Lust Nick the Knife The Abominable Showman are all worth a listen. ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564/31 "2007-03-19T21:58:42Z")
I second the Nick Lowe catalogue. You can’t really go wrong picking any or all of it. The guy has a wicked sense of humor, too. When David Bowie put out an album called “Low”, Nick put out an EP called “Bowi.” ---
**Author:** ![DaphneBlack](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daphneblack/32/5389_2.png) [@DaphneBlack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaphneBlack)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564/32 "2007-03-19T22:59:30Z")
[QUOTE=JonScribe] You might also enjoy Tom Waits, who I think is equally gifted as a lyricist. Can’t pick any favorites among Costello’s albums. The man is so damn prolific, it’s too hard to choose. [/QUOTE] People have recommended Tom Waits to me before, but I don’t really know where to start with him - he’s pretty intimidating! Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564/33 "2007-03-20T00:22:01Z")
He did a tour back in '86(?) that featured a big wheel with song titles on it. Audience members got to come up and spin to choose the next song. What a fun show that was…I think they played “_Alison_” three times that night. ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564/34 "2007-03-20T02:27:41Z")
I’ve only heard a dozen of his songs or so, but “This House is Empty Now” from his collaboration with Burt Bacharach is my favorite. ---
**Author:** ![JonScribe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3be4f8/32.png) [@JonScribe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JonScribe)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564/35 "2007-03-20T02:34:57Z")
[QUOTE=DaphneBlack] People have recommended Tom Waits to me before, but I don’t really know where to start with him - he’s pretty intimidating! Any suggestions? [/QUOTE] Ah, you can handle it. I really like the “Mule Variations.” There’s some odd stuff, which I dig, but also some very sweet songs, such as “Picture in a Frame” and “Take It With Me.” ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564/36 "2007-03-20T02:45:55Z")
1. **Armed Forces** 2. “Watching the Detectives” 3. “(What’s So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?” ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564/37 "2007-03-20T02:48:05Z")
I know I’m the maverick here. I loved the Juliete Letters like crazy. His other stuff is meh. ---
**Author:** ![DaphneBlack](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daphneblack/32/5389_2.png) [@DaphneBlack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaphneBlack)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564/38 "2007-03-20T03:02:42Z")
[QUOTE=JonScribe] Ah, you can handle it. I really like the “Mule Variations.” There’s some odd stuff, which I dig, but also some very sweet songs, such as “Picture in a Frame” and “Take It With Me.” [/QUOTE] Well, I’m up for it! Thanks for the recommendation. OK, EC fans: favourite Elvis lyric? So hard to choose, I have to think on this one… ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564/39 "2007-03-20T03:26:04Z")
My favorite EC moment: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOuknbvu21Q) ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564/40 "2007-03-20T03:35:16Z")
I’ve always liked him for his own work, but, really have admired him to coming to the fore with[post Katrina mess in NOLA](http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/product.aspx?ob=prd&src=exp&pid=11509). He really stepped up to the plate by recording with Allen Toussaint, a New Orleans icon. Costello is not just coming down to NOLA on a benevolent swoop, either; he has been to Mississippi in the past few years to learn and record with many other artists. His presence is always a great boost to the area, recording-wise. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvis-costello-appreciation-thread/396564.md?page=3)