Elvis Costello - The Love Songs

Neil. · Post by **Neil.** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 4:41 am

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 swear he goes out of tune a few times on it!) as it's one the non-Costello fans know cos of Notting Hill. What else would be on it?

I reckon they'd have to have (in no particular order - and not saying these are my faves - just that they are the most obvious choices):

Alison
Sweet Dreams
I Want You
I'll Wear It Proudly
Good Year For The Roses
The Other End Of The Telescope
Every Day I Write The Book (ugh - only like the Merseybeat version)
Almost Blue
Baby Plays Around
Town Cryer
Still

Any other suggestions for unmissables? They'd have to be love songs of some sort - rather than slow songs that ain't about love! (unless they called it Elvis Costello - The Ballads Collection, which could open up the field a bit more)

lostdog · Post by **lostdog** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 5:26 am

Think 'I want you' might scare the horses!

pophead2k · Post by **pophead2k** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 7:59 am

Sweet Pear is EC's most unambiguous and heartfelt love song (even if it doesn't have a lot of fans on this board).

Neil. · Post by **Neil.** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:06 am

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.

verbal gymnastics · Post by **verbal gymnastics** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 9:26 am

pophead2k wrote:Sweet Pear is EC's most unambiguous and heartfelt love song

There are some songs on North that might be even less unambiguous and heartfelt...

Another song to consider would be Jack of All Parades "I love you there and then/It's as simple as that".

Neil. · Post by **Neil.** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 9:40 am

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)

IStandAccused · Post by **IStandAccused** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 9:51 am

Neil. wrote: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)

"Human Hands" is one of his first more in yer face love songs. BTW, "I Want You" is NOT a love song. It is an obsession song but love didn't enter into the equation on that one. It was written for very different reasons. Try "slow torture", lol!

Poor Deportee · Post by **Poor Deportee** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 9:55 pm

Human Hands! Now there's an under-appreciated gem. That's one that's absolutely crying out for a cover (preferably one omitting the cheesy synthesizer flourish after the chorus). Good call.

thepopeofpop · Post by **thepopeofpop** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 5:16 am

I agree with Sweet Pear. And how about:

Party Girl
The Only Flame In Town
Jack Of All Parades

Oh, and that's not a synthesizer on "Human Hands", it's a Mellotron

IStandAccused · Post by **IStandAccused** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 10:03 am

thepopeofpop wrote:I agree with Sweet Pear. And how about:

Party Girl
The Only Flame In Town
Jack Of All Parades

Oh, and that's not a synthesizer on "Human Hands", it's a Mellotron

"Party Girl" is not a love song- it is a "road", one night stand song. An "appreciation" song, lol. "The Only Flame In Town" is also NOT a love song. It is about having multiple partners! "I'll Wear It Proudly" and even though it's a cover I do believe "I Stand Accused"- those are love songs my friend. Also EC's version of Hot Burrito on "Almost Blue" is so moving.

25to12 · Post by **25to12** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:29 am

Maybe seem a very obvious choice, but I think Veronica is a sort of love song, just not quite in the usual context of boy-meets-girl n all. The same could perhaps be said for New Lace Sleeves. I could be wrong. They're really just 2 of my favourite EC tunes anyway

Neil. · Post by **Neil.** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 4:21 am

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

verbal gymnastics · Post by **verbal gymnastics** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 4:23 am

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

That's the lighter side of love for me!

thepopeofpop · Post by **thepopeofpop** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 4:34 am

IStandAccused wrote:"Party Girl" is not a love song- it is a "road", one night stand song. An "appreciation" song, lol. "The Only Flame In Town" is also NOT a love song.

Well... it would be if you were into polygamy.

As for Party Girl - look, EC Love Songs are a bit thin on the ground, so I'll reckon they'll settle for an "appreciation" song! It's a sort of "Love the one you're with Song"

verena · Post by **verena** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 4:29 pm

What about So Like Candy ? It is a love song, desperate love but love. And I believe, sincere. I like this song particulary because the music is as good as the lyrics, the 2 are in harmony, they fit together imo and the chorus has a striking melody that really suits the words.

Agree that something out of North would belong there. And I Want You, and Almost Blue.

verena · Post by **verena** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 4:32 pm

What about So Like Candy ? It is a love song, desperate love but love. And I believe, sincere. I like this song particulary because the music is as good as the lyrics, the 2 are in harmony and the chorus has a striking melody that really suits the words.

Agree that something out of North would belong there. And I Want You, and Almost Blue.

bambooneedle · Post by **bambooneedle** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 12:09 am

15 Petals, I Still Have That Other Girl, Still Too Soon To Know...

alexv · Post by **alexv** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 3:42 pm

Talking in the Dark
Kid About It
Lovable
I'll Wear it Proudly
Sweet Pear
Broken
Let Me Tell You About Her
Still
Can You Be True (this strikes me as his most romantic love song)
When It Sings
Such Unlikely Lovers
Inch by Inch
Human Hands (first two verses and last)

Elvis Costello Fan Forum

Elvis Costello - The Love Songs

Elvis Costello - The Love Songs

Love songs...