Elvis Costello Countdown

[Otis Westinghouse]

On my iPod! Presumably when all is done it will be listed on the CK site.

Interesting that we were mainly gunning for Sleep of the Just and I'll Wear It Proudly, with Poisoned Rose or Suit of Lights also in the running, but CK has surprised us all. I think these should all be in the top 100, and each would merit an eloquent essay on why they'd deserve a position somewhere in it.

I like the way CK brings out the merits of the songs. There's no way I'd have put AWT in my top 10 or 20, but reading this made me understand its ranking and nod my head in agreement with many of the points.

[The imposter]

Still curious which of the Big Three ends up Number 1.
Putting my bet on Man Out Of Time.

Shipbuilding .. Easy

[Heats101]

Still curious which of the Big Three ends up Number 1.
Putting my bet on Man Out Of Time.

Shipbuilding .. Easy

Na - has to be I Want You of course !! Reasons too numerous to state apart from the unique structure of the song which for me is one of the traits that defines EC from his peers.

[Otis Westinghouse]

Maybe that's the fan favourite that will be omitted all together! I have met an Elvis fan who hated it. Can't believe CK would take that view, though.

My predictions are:

3. Shipbuilding
2. I Want You
1. MOOT

[cwr]

Still holding out for "My Dark Life" to make the list but it would be a shocker at this point (even though it's my personal favorite song he's ever written).

You just KNOW that Costello is following this countdown and dreading the potential defiant appearance of "Party Party" in the #1 slot.

[Jack of All Parades]

Still holding out for "My Dark Life" to make the list but it would be a shocker at this point (even though it's my personal favorite song he's ever written).

You just KNOW that Costello is following this countdown and dreading the potential defiant appearance of "Party Party" in the #1 slot.

That would be quite radical and most fun as a choice. The way it is shaping up one can hope!

[countdownkid]

#3 is now on the site, folks. No big surprise, apparently, from your guesses. It's in the link, and I'll be back tomorrow with #2.

http://countdownkid.wordpress.com/

[Jack of All Parades]

My- that is a snooze choice. A fine song but I would never place it so low in a countdown. Much too safe and predictible a selection for my own taste. This is fizzling out for me as we enter the final two listings.

[invisible Pole]

I'm speechless.
I mean, I like being surprised now and then, but putting songs like National Ransom or Monkey To Man or your No.3 - Radio, Radio over any of the three mentioned above is more than controversial, to put it mildly.
Unless of course, we somehow missed the rule that you exclude songs with only lyrics written by Elvis.

[paysfortheprivilege]

The man's obviously got dutch courage, a German sense of humour and a heart
like a fridge

[hatman]

Maybe that's the fan favourite that will be omitted all together! I have met an Elvis fan who hated it. Can't believe CK would take that view, though.

My predictions are:

3. Shipbuilding
2. I Want You
1. MOOT

I am not a big fan of "I Want You". By the way I would put "Heathen Town" and "Sneaky Feelings" (way underrated IMO) in my top 100.

[countdownkid]

I'm speechless.
I mean, I like being surprised now and then, but putting songs like National Ransom or Monkey To Man or your No.3 - Radio, Radio over any of the three mentioned above is more than controversial, to put it mildly.
Unless of course, we somehow missed the rule that you exclude songs with only lyrics written by Elvis.

To be considered, Elvis has to have a writing credit and have recorded his own version which was made available to the public at some point.

As for the rankings, this is all subjective, obviously, and I do appreciate the contrasting opinions. However, I must say that I've never worried, in any of my lists, about whether or not a choice is "safe" or not. The consideration is how it succeeds as a song. I would argue that "Radio, Radio" is a safe choice only because its greatness has made it so. It eloquently and passionately makes its case for the devolution of radio, and it does so in a ridiculously catchy manner, plus it defines Costello as an artist of fearless conviction and ridiculous songwriting skill.

Not only that (and I regret not having mentioned this in the post,) but I feel like the song goes beyond radio and works as a condemnation of any enterprise that tries to dictate what is best for people rather than letting them make the choice themselves. That's my humble defense of "Radio, Radio" at #3. You'd have an easier time convincing me that it should be #1 or #2 than you would of convincing me it's overrated.

[Otis Westinghouse]

It's a great song and one I've always loved dearly, but yeah, I'd sacrifice it over one of the above 3 in a flash. I do think this is truly controversial - I doubt you'd find an EC fan who comes here not be amazed by any of those titans not being at least somewhere in the top 100. All 3 have stood the test of time by being played live over the span of the years (400+ cited for IWY and MOOT and 540 for SB on the wiki), and Shipbuilding, perfectly eligible under your criteria, has been covered fairly substantially too.

I'd love a critique of whichever doesn't make the top two (or is it more than one of them?!?). Can only assume that like Hatman below, you just ain't a fan of I Want You ("The sound of this track was always going to be the aural equivalent of a blurred polaroid, so no apologies for the lack of fidelity. None are needed, it's just a pornographic snapshot; lots of broken glass, a squashed box of chocolates and a little blood on the wall.”), which on a good night, and I've experienced a few fine examples, can be the most heartstoppingly powerful song you can imagine hearing performed.

[invisible Pole]

Countdownkid, what I wanted to say was that for me, and probably for quite a lot of other Elvis fans, as much as I like Radio, Radio, it wouldn't be as high in Top 100.
But I also love how you stand by your choice and how eloquently you justify it.
However, I find it harder to understand how any of the three could not be placed in Top 100.

As you say, all rankings are subjective. You would probably strongly disagree with some of my selection, but that's the beauty and fun of the lists.
Be sure I am still greatly enjoying your Top 100 countdown and love your writing.

Edit : as Otis just said (while I was writing my post) it would be great to see your critique of the song (from the above three) which will not make the top 2.

[Otis Westinghouse]

I too always enjoy the spirited justification for inclusion. The funny thing is, though, that 20-11 have turned out quite a bit stronger for me than 10-3. The top 10s for Beatles, Dylan and Bruce were more 'obvious', I think.

[countdownkid]

Countdownkid, what I wanted to say was that for me, and probably for quite a lot of other Elvis fans, as much as I like Radio, Radio, it wouldn't be as high in Top 100.
But I also love how you stand by your choice and how eloquently you justify it.
However, I find it harder to understand how any of the three could not be placed in Top 100.

As you say, all rankings are subjective. You would probably strongly disagree with some of my selection, but that's the beauty and fun of the lists.
Be sure I am still greatly enjoying your Top 100 countdown and love your writing.

Edit : as Otis just said (while I was writing my post) it would be great to see your critique of the song (from the above three) which will not make the top 2.

That's a good idea; I will give my reasons for leaving off whichever (or both?) of the two songs you guys have mentioned once we're all done. As you can see, one of the three is #2. Check it out in the link, and keep the debate coming. I enjoy going back and forth with knowledgeable and respectful fans like yourself and everybody else who has been on this message board.

http://countdownkid.wordpress.com/

[Jack of All Parades]

No argument from me as to this choice- not worth quibbling about number placement as it could easily make me happy anywhere in a top 10 selection. One of my favorite 'political/social' songs from his pen and one of the best from any songwriter's pen. I will argue that he actually works best when he achieves a wonderful economy of expression as this song lyric beautifully and lucidly demonstrates.

They merit a reprint:

Shipbuilding

Is it worth it?
A new winter coat and shoes for the wife
And a bicycle on the boy's birthday
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
By the women and children
Soon we'll be shipbuilding
Well I ask you
The boy said 'DAD THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE ME TO TASK
BUT I'LL BE BACK BY CHRISTMAS'
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
Somebody said that someone got filled in
For saying that people get killed in
The result of this shipbuilding
With all the will in the world
Diving for dear life
When we could be diving for pearls
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
A telegram or a picture postcard
Within weeks they'll be re-opening the shipyards
And notifying the next of kin
Once again
It's all we're skilled in
We will be shipbuilding
WITH ALL THE WILL IN THE WORLD
DIVING FOR DEAR LIFE
WHEN WE COULD BE DIVING FOR PEARLS

[Otis Westinghouse]

Funny thing is, I think the song is absolutely brilliant, and hearing Elvis do it at Birmingham Odeon in dec '83 is one of the highlights of my gig-going life, but I've never overly warmed to the PTC recording. Chet Baker is wonderful on it, yes Nieve is good, it's well orchestrated, but given that I had and loved the beautifully Stanley Spencer 'Shipbuilders On The Clyde'-clad 45rpm well before PTC came along, Costello never for me matched that first released version. the utter simplicity of the arrangement, the plaintive tones of Wyatt's high tenor, all magical. Costello sings it beautifully, but the recording lacks something for me. That's the one I would call 'pretty'.

Nice response to its lyric, I agree it is a total masterpiece lyrically.

So then, MOOT or IWY? It must be one, unless CK is more insanely radical than omitting one of those sublime works of genius indicates. IWY probably means more to more EC fans, I would guess, certainly anyone who loves seeing him live is sure to have amazing memories of seeing it. MOOT is sublime songwriting, beautifully realised with a great lyric. If I had to bet, I'm thinking MOOT. I would personally go for IWY.

Or maybe it's Sleep of the Just, ha ha ha!

[John]

Between the 2 I would pick Man Out Of Time. Never been a big fan of I Want You; the first 50 seconds is nice but then it just goes on.. and on. When he plays it in concert I think "he could do 2 good ones instead of this one". Oh, and you cut all the screaming out of Man Out Of Time as well.

Thank you countdownkid for your tremendous writing and massive effort. I've still got a lot to read.

And now you say that you've got to go, well if you must you must. I suppose that you need the sleep of the just.

[Otis Westinghouse]

Quite.

Yep, some people just find IWY boring or even embarrassing. Bruce Thomas, for example.

[Heats101]

Shipbuilding is a gem of a composition, no argument here either.

Its a song I too have particularly enjoyed live. I watched " A Case For Song"' DVD recently and rediscoverd an excellent perfomance/arrangement with Clive Langer joining the ensemble.(fact is I had forgotten how good the whole concert was in the semi intimate surroundings.)

As an aside Shipbuiding was the song that a "brave" punter yelled out for at a Melbourne concert a couple of years ago and to my immense surprsie Elvis actually played it, even though it was not on the official set list.This accomodation by EC was a first for me at Concerts I have attended.

All in all a very very special song. The countdown continues to be an absolute joy, thank you CK.

[countdownkid]

Well, I got up a little early this morning to post #1 because I know the suspense is killing you all. It's in the link. I want to thank everyone who contributed comments to the list, both here and on my site, and also to those who just read along. It has really been a pleasure.

I also plan to make a longer explanation of some of the things I left out, as well as providing a complete list, but I probably won't get to that today; maybe the weekend or Monday. Still, I'll be monitoring everyone's comments to see what you think, maybe making quick responses here or there if time allows. Thanks again, talk to you soon, and enjoy #1!

http://countdownkid.wordpress.com/

[terryhurley]

I loved it all. Little bit surprised that you feel there are 70+ songs better than IWY but hey, we all love different things (Heathen Town would be top 20 for me). Your comments on your No. 1, which has never been a great favourite of mine, have inspired me to listen to it all over again - which I guess is the joy of this exercise.

Well done fella!

[Boy With A Problem]

Can only assume that like Hatman below, you just ain't a fan of I Want You ("The sound of this track was always going to be the aural equivalent of a blurred polaroid, so no apologies for the lack of fidelity. None are needed, it's just a pornographic snapshot; lots of broken glass, a squashed box of chocolates and a little blood on the wall.”), which on a good night, and I've experienced a few fine examples, can be the most heartstoppingly powerful song you can imagine hearing performed.

Exactly. Thank you Otis.

So many disagreements with this list (Where's Our Little Angel!!?).....however, a ton of effort and very well written. Nice to see The Comedians and Shoes Without Heels in the top 25.....

[Jack of All Parades]

Most anticlimatic in the choice for #1. Again a good song but not one for me in a top 10 or even 25. I fully understand the subjectivity of such lists and will leave it at that. Like BWAP have many quibbles with at least one third of your choices but will not force my subjective opinions further on the list other than to note that I find any compilation of a top 100 for this artist quite suspect if it leaves off at least four selections from perhaps his best effort of the last decade- "National Ransom"- and only nominates one tune from the record- the mediocre title song- which is then placed perhaps too low in that list. Subjective to say the least. I applaud your efforts. You clearly enjoy this songwriter and perfomer. I will just not be borrowing your I pod to program mine.

Congratulations to Otis- you almost nailed it to the exact order!