Recommendations of the Editorial team
Elvis Costello writes novels in three-minute format. He sneaks into your head – and then it is no longer possible to get out. Anyone who loves Elvis Costello loves him for his perception: the depth and width of his observation is incredible.
When I was a teenager, many of my friends imagined that Elvis Costello would write a song about her. His songs about women or girls hit their heart and pull the carpet away from you under their feet. There are few artists who have such an insight into the female psyche, into their feelings and thoughts, into their dreams and fears. Most rock songs about women only stick to the surface: “Baby, you look so hot, let’s get to bed.”
The 100 best musicians of all time: Elvis Costello – Essay by Liz Phair
An Elvis song, on the other hand, says: “I see through your facade and understand how you tick.” He knows the female tricks, I always find that exciting on him.
If you try to press a whole book into a song, a good groove is very helpful
Elvis Costello is a poet with the heart of a punk. When he kneels into a number and lets the sow out, he reminds me a little of Jerry Lee Lewis. His rock material often has raw, physical violence-even if he is only on stage with the piano. When I saw him for the first time, I didn’t want to believe how he spits out all of these words and not cares about whether he hits the right grades. Of course, The Attractions played an important role in his music: If you try to press a whole book into a song, a good groove is very helpful.
Nobody sounds like him. Musicians like Stevie Wonder or whoever imitate, but how many sound like Elvis Costello? Damn few. His melodies meander here and after there and are not to be stabilized at all. And not to forget: Elvis is the ideal candidate for a long -term career: he always reinvents himself, always comes with a new sound. But no matter in which phase he is in – his music always says: You are welcome to get in and drive along, but just don’t think I would stop because of you.