Elvis Costello Fan Forum

They played "Thirteen Steps Lead Down" on 6 Music on Friday morning to mark the great man's 52nd. They coulda chosen something a bit better, tho!

Hi all, Is it heresy for me to suggest that this album is a tad overpraised? In the recent poll of best Attractions albums, it was up there. Because it's Elvis's first album to be full of orchestrations, people tend to think of it as a masterpiece (as the advertising at the time also played up) - as...

Yup - Pump It Up is a classic single of the New Wave era. I really think they should re-release it off the back of this dance hit, but I doubt it'll happen.

Regarding "Baby Plays Around": it's the bit where he sings it before going into "I try to be strong; hold on to my pride..."

I'd say it's note for note there.

Hi all - don't wanna be misunderstood: I don't for a second think less of Elvis for quoting other songs lyrically or melodically - he's quite open about paying tribute to loved songs and artists in his own songs, and it takes nothing away for his own astonishing ability with a melody, as I said at t...

I reckon Elvis's new record company should re-release Pump It Up so that "the kids" can realise where the riff came from and discover the great man! Doubt if it'll happen, though. D'you reckon Elvis actually knows about this sample? And I wonder who ACTUALLY wrote the riff - Elvis or Steve?

Some great suggestions! I've never heard that story about the "Isn't She Lovely" melody being used in Tramp The Dirt Down. Great joke, savage irony! Good point about Brilliant Mistake resembling "Tangled Up In Blue" - and I also think the verse melody "He thought he was the ...

The fella in the other thread mentioned the fact he thought something from Cream's Disraeli Gears album sounds like London's Brilliant Parade. Perfect subject for a new thread, I thought! Elvis deliberately or unconsciously nicks stuff from time to time: any songs remind you of those by other artist...

Good God, you've got a good memory! I guess you're right about Andrew Scholfield. God, have you got the show on video?!

And you're right - it was Attractions normal gig the first night, and solo then Songbook for the second. So do you remember me making a tit of myself at the end of Green Shirt?

At least Elvis won't be in it this time, with the buckled hat!!!

Wonder how the opera world will take to it? On the last outing Elvis sang some of it, so it'll be great to hear how real opera singers do.

I was at two nights in a row at the Liverpool Royal Court - went up from South Wales to stay at my Auntie's in Merseyside. I was 18 years old at the time, and they were my first Elvis gigs. The tour was billed as being different shows each night, so my bro and I booked two nights, but as far as I re...

Guys, you're right! I've seen Elvis at Shepherd's Bush Empire twice - once for Brutal Youth Tour and the other for ATYB. I'm getting the buggers mixed up!

I dunno, lost dog - the bird in the gilded cage image is different cos the cage is closed; the reason the Country Darkness lyric moves me is cos she's in a terrible relationship, but can't see the way out someone else is offering. The prison she lives in: The one with the open door Agree with the gu...

Okay, we've had the 'Elvis's corniest pun', but how about his best line? Although I reckon his gift for melody is his greatest asset, most journalists talk about his lyrics, and it is true that he comes out with some killer lines. My favourite off the top of my head is from "Daddy, Can I Turn T...

I was at one of the Shepherd's Bush Empire ones - turned up to the sold-out gig without a ticket, and bought one off a fan who's friend hadn't turned up! She wanted to sell to a fan, not a tout. I remember it as a real stonker of a gig, with great sound, and Elvis's voice filling the room, even thou...

I reckon "I Want You" definitely belongs on the Love Songs collection - it's about the darker side of love: jealousy, obssession etc.

He's got to be having a laugh!!! Is there anything else left to reissue? That said, the idea of the Eurosolo '84 shows on live CDs would be great. Elvis is fantastic with just an acoustic gee-tar. Also, if Universal do something to get young people aware of This Year's Model, Trust, Blood & Choc...

They'd probably have Indoor Fireworks on there as well.

Of the lesser-known ones, I love Home Truth (one of the only decent choons on GCW)

I love Sweet Pear! Great song, great lyric. I can see how people would be turned off by the strained vocal, though. Hope someone with a smoother voice covers it one day. Also, I almost forgot: the Love Songs collection would have to have God Give Me Strength, and possibly I Still Have That Other Girl.

Someone was discussing what Elvis would be doing on his paternity leave. Rather than another greatest hits in his year off, perhaps a new take would be an "Elvis Costello - The Love Songs" album, heavily marketed with TV trails. Unfortunately, "She" would have to be on there (I s...

The first thing that springs to mind for me is Sweet Dreams, which I think is better than Patsy Cline's version by a country mile. Also, Good Year The Roses has far more pain in the vocal than the original. Elvis's Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood is also my fave version of the song - the Animals versi...

I dunno, guys - how do you know what his feelings are? As a songwriter, I'd want my songs to be heard by as many people as possible. I'm not talking about making money so much as knowing that you're giving happiness to people with your amazing music. It must be galling to hear so many crap bands get...

Hi y'all - as the River In Reverse discussion has gone on to talk about Elvis's commercial success, I thought I'd start it as a new discussion. As a diehard fan, I'm constantly frustrated at how few people know his stuff, and how underappreciated he is among the general public. He's absolutely up th...

Listened to it again last night - y'know you're right! I do like the way it eases us into the album! Like the way the distorted guitar cuts in after the piano. Okay, I was wrong, already! Getting more into the album now - but I gotta say they shoulda chopped Wonder Woman and Six Fingered Man out, an...

Everyone seems to agree that the opening number of the new album ain't the most explosive salvo in the world. So whaddaya reckon he should've chosen?