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Elvis Costello — Watching The Detectives
Album: My Aim Is True
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 4856









Released: 1977
Length: 3:40
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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Nice girls, not one with a defect
Cellophane shrink-wrapped, so correct
Red dogs under illegal legs
She looks so good that he gets down and begs

She is watching the detectives
Ooh, it's so cute
She's watching the detectives
When they shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot

They beat him up until the teardrops start
But he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart

Long shot of that jumping sign
Invisible shivers running down my spine
Cut to baby taking off her clothes
Closeup of the sign that says "we never close"

You snatch a tune and you match a cigarette
She pulls your eyes out with a face like a magnet
I don't know how much more of this I can take
She's filing her nails while they're dragging the lake

She is watching the detectives
Oh, he's so cute
She is watching the detectives
Oh, and they shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot

They beat him up until the teardrops start
But he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart

You think you're alone until you realize you're in it
Now baby's here to stay, love is here for a visit
They call it instant justice when it's past the legal limit
Someone's scratching at the window, I wonder, who is it?
The detectives come to check if you belong to the parents
Who are ready to hear the worst about their daughter's disappearance
Though it nearly took a miracle to get you to stay
It only took my little fingers to blow you away

Just like watching the detectives
Don't get cute
Just like watching the detectives

I get so angry when the teardrops start
But he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart

Watching the detectives

It's just like watching the detectives
Watching the detectives
Watching the detectives
Watching the detectives
...
Comments (405)add comment
Is it a coincidence that this one is played right after "Far From Any Road" by The Handsome Family? Anyway, made me smile
Posted 10 months ago by Kreisky    [ Reply ]
Saw him three weeks ago at a small venue in FL.
He took the stage in a kilt & kicked ass on that stage for just short of three hours
Raah!!!
Posted 10 months ago by KPC1    [ Reply ]
I said yo..!!
Posted 10 months ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
I love the Vox Jaguar /Farfisa organ sound!   ...Too cool!  
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Elvis hits you 20 years after on a side radio from off the alley out back where they are barbecuing and drinking tequila. What the fuck is that?
Posted 1 year ago by Dragonfly_Launch    [ Reply ]
 Alastair wrote:

Cannot believe that, in my teens, I didn't like EC.  I was too busy listening to Genesis and Vangelis. I feel like I missed out now.  



Thankfully, with recorded music, it's never too late!
Posted 1 year ago by surfool    [ Reply ]
There is a song in Mexico called El Afilador, with that similar odd sound.
Posted 1 year ago by lagbegue    [ Reply ]
Shit hot. 
Posted 1 year ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
Cannot believe that, in my teens, I didn't like EC.  I was too busy listening to Genesis and Vangelis. I feel like I missed out now.  
Posted 1 year ago by Alastair    [ Reply ]
Fantastic..
Posted 1 year ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
Excellent transition after Far From Any Road - The Handsome Family!
Posted 1 year ago by asilbuch    [ Reply ]
Although I was never a big Elvis Costello fan, this is one of my favorites from that era.
Elvis also put on one of the best shows I've ever seen at the Pageant in St. Louis in 2015.  High energy, crowd-surfing, everyone had a blast!
Posted 1 year ago by Ryan_Boru    [ Reply ]
Elvis Costello's evolution as an artist is one of the most interesting in recording music history.
Posted 2 years ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
I remember when EC hit the music world - honestly I wasn´t into the quirky punk sorta stuff at the time, but I will never forget when this song came out - made our ears stand up and listen!  Still so fresh...  Finally got to see him with the Roots in New York a number of years ago - a great show from amazing musicians...
Posted 2 years ago by MilesW    [ Reply ]
I bought this the week it came out at "Sam The Record Man" on Yonge Street in Toronto!
Posted 2 years ago by Chongo1959    [ Reply ]
 Jolicoeur wrote:

"Though it nearly took a miracle to get you to stay
It only took my little fingers to blow you away"

What a payoff!



The lyrics in this song are really very clever - Elvis Costello is underrated on that score - massively so.

"She's filing her nails as they're dragging the lake" 

Genius.
Posted 2 years ago by bb_matt    [ Reply ]
"Though it nearly took a miracle to get you to stay
It only took my little fingers to blow you away"

What a payoff!
Posted 2 years ago by Jolicoeur    [ Reply ]
For some reason i don't like Elvis Costello so much but i like this one
Posted 2 years ago by danielcatania    [ Reply ]
Turner Classic Movies uses this during 'Noir Week'. Maybe the only time he is ever heard on TCM.
c.
Posted 2 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
'She's filing her nails as they're dragging the lake' one of the most memorable lines ever
Posted 2 years ago by rrowdies    [ Reply ]
 eileenomurphy wrote:



Still IS!

Oh very cool thanks 
Posted 2 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
 justlistening wrote:

"She pulls your eyes out with a face like a magnet."

Love that line.



and "she's filing her nails while they're dragging the lake."  Elvis is an awesome lyricist.
Posted 3 years ago by Wisconsinrob    [ Reply ]
I love the sound of the bass guitar on this song!
Posted 3 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
I remember when Elvis was a radical shock to the musical senses. 

Now, his music is timeless. 
Posted 3 years ago by MassivRuss    [ Reply ]
I remember when this was the theme song from history detectives on PBS.
Posted 3 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
Can't help but think of Elvis on Two and Half Men... hilarious!
Posted 3 years ago by bahalana    [ Reply ]
 RabbitEars wrote:

Same here... it was Imperial Bedroom that hooked me and then his live shows. After that, I started loving all the records that came before it. 
 
Look after the king of R n R please 
Posted 3 years ago by 69Grace_M    [ Reply ]
 joejennings wrote:
When this album first came out, I hated him! Within a few years, I thought that he was EXCELLENT! I still do!
 
Same here... it was Imperial Bedroom that hooked me and then his live shows. After that, I started loving all the records that came before it. 
Posted 3 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
"She's filing her nails while they're dragging the lake."
Posted 3 years ago by jnhashmi    [ Reply ]
Very good drummer Steve Goulding
Posted 4 years ago by noe.architecte169    [ Reply ]
too much Costello on RP.... a little Elvis goes a long way
Posted 4 years ago by BSartiste    [ Reply ]
 justin4kick wrote:


Never thought of it that way, but Spoon must have listened to Costello a lot.
 
Spoon just came after this song :)
Posted 4 years ago by Atombender    [ Reply ]
You snatch a tune and you match a cigarette
She pulls your eyes out with a face like a magnet
I don't know how much more of this I can take
She's filing her nails while they're dragging the lake

Great stuff.
Posted 4 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 Queue wrote:
Neil Young followed by Elvis Costello?  Is Bill trolling the voice haters?  What's next?  Bob Dylan? 
 
We can hope! 
Posted 4 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
It's taken me a lot of years to fully appreciate Elvis Costello. Even so he is definitely overplayed on RP.......
Posted 4 years ago by Svetty    [ Reply ]
When this album first came out, I hated him! Within a few years, I thought that he was EXCELLENT! I still do!
Posted 4 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
+1 to 9, fun and quirky + great song writing and music...LLRP!!
Posted 4 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Twice in one day? I'll have to skip the second play through.
Posted 4 years ago by alexandersmcmillan    [ Reply ]
 talexb wrote:
Got this album when it came out and loved it, but not this track. Forty years later .. this track is great. Such talent. Wow.
 

My younger brother bought this when it was released.  I hadn't heard of EC at the time.  Then, every time Bob wanted to listen to it, he had to get it from my room.  Just picked up a UK import of this couple of weeks ago.  KEEPER!
Posted 4 years ago by bpemby    [ Reply ]
"She pulls your eyes out with a face like a magnet."

Love that line.
Posted 4 years ago by justlistening    [ Reply ]
"she's filing her nails wile they're dragging the lake..."

What a great image of I-don't-give-a-damn.
Posted 4 years ago by birdman42    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 years ago by clickfaster    [ Reply ]
Songwriting genius.
Posted 4 years ago by tomperth1    [ Reply ]
 stevesaw wrote:

I always dug the bass in this song, but never really listened in on the drums until I read your comment. Wow.
 

Bass and Drums compliments of the Rumour. No wonder.
Posted 5 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
Got this album when it came out and loved it, but not this track. Forty years later .. this track is great. Such talent. Wow.
Posted 5 years ago by talexb    [ Reply ]
 ih8bills wrote:
Great base line -- and drums.
 
I always dug the bass in this song, but never really listened in on the drums until I read your comment. Wow.
Posted 5 years ago by stevesaw    [ Reply ]
one of the few Costello songs I actually enjoy.
Posted 5 years ago by danielh    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
I've heard it countless times; still appreciate the wacky, odd syncopated rhythms and film noir lyrics; same stuff makes me dig Spoon.
 

Never thought of it that way, but Spoon must have listened to Costello a lot.
Posted 5 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
Bubble gum pulp fiction noir. Brill! :o)
Posted 5 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Neil Young followed by Elvis Costello?  Is Bill trolling the voice haters?  What's next?  Bob Dylan? 
Posted 5 years ago by Queue    [ Reply ]
Perfection.

This and Lipstick Vogue.
Posted 5 years ago by be4con    [ Reply ]
 

I am completely unable to bear this voice. Drives me beyond crazy. Play this at a party and I will have to leave, no matter how hot the chicks.

I have no problem with Spoon that was mentioned in the thread, that voice is OK.
Posted 5 years ago by megaadam    [ Reply ]
Love me some Elvis.  I always have since the first time I heard him in my teens.
Posted 5 years ago by pigtail    [ Reply ]
The genius of EC was that he tried so hard to copy others but always ended up creating a different amazing thing.  Truly amazing.
Posted 5 years ago by meatmike    [ Reply ]
The Police, and the Clash appropriated faux reggae sounds and made a new sound,  this is no different, but a one-off for EC and not indicative of the rest of My Aim Is True
Posted 5 years ago by NorthernLad    [ Reply ]
I once read a (non-critical) article about Elvis Costello that referred to his singing voice as "churlish." I think that totally captures why I instantly dive for the volume controls or whatever thing I can click, tap, or push to make it go away as soon as I hear it. 
Posted 5 years ago by publiceric    [ Reply ]
 DocStrangelove wrote:
Mostly cannot stand whiny EC but this is spot on.

 
Not a fan of EC either. Had a rating of 3 for this one, but now it sounds like a 7.

Maybe it's the scotch. {#Cheers}
Posted 6 years ago by SeriousLee    [ Reply ]
Great base line -- and drums.
Posted 6 years ago by ih8bills    [ Reply ]
 arserocket wrote:
always PSD for EC, just sayin ...

 
Go and find you another web radio... just saying.
Posted 6 years ago by CoYoT51    [ Reply ]
always PSD for EC, just sayin ...
Posted 6 years ago by arserocket    [ Reply ]
Brilliant!
Posted 7 years ago by meatmike    [ Reply ]
Mostly cannot stand whiny EC but this is spot on.
Posted 7 years ago by DocStrangelove    [ Reply ]
 Stefan_Lutz wrote:
Here we go again I'll go water the plants until it's over. How did he get a recording contract?

You must have some pretty dry plants if you water them in April , then June.....maybe you should water them more...
Posted 7 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
Brilliant. Elvis, Joe Jackson and the Cars were the "New Wavers" with staying power. Substantial.
Did I miss anyone? Police left off on purpose. 
Posted 8 years ago by Duc1098    [ Reply ]
Make it stop this is the worst one possible. True torture on a Sunday night.
Posted 8 years ago by Stefan_Lutz    [ Reply ]
WARNING! WARNING! Hater alert, EC is playing {#Cheesygrin}
Posted 8 years ago by markybx    [ Reply ]
 Stefan_Lutz wrote:
Here we go again I'll go water the plants until it's over. How did he get a recording contract?

 
Yeah, we get it. You don't like EC. Don't need to repeat yourself every time the song plays.
Posted 8 years ago by cshotton    [ Reply ]
{#Bananasplit}
Posted 8 years ago by markybx    [ Reply ]
 Stefan_Lutz wrote:
Here we go again I'll go water the plants until it's over. How did he get a recording contract?

 
Funny, I just stopped watering mine to come and listen.
Posted 8 years ago by Redpoint    [ Reply ]
Though I've heard it countless times, I still appreciate the wacky, odd syncopated rhythms and film noir lyrics; same stuff makes me dig Spoon...
Posted 8 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Here we go again I'll go water the plants until it's over. How did he get a recording contract?
Posted 8 years ago by Stefan_Lutz    [ Reply ]
..... anything less than 10 would be a crime to music.
Posted 8 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]

Saw EC a few years ago at, of all things, a Grateful Dead-type festival (Gathering of the Vibes).  He still has it.  He brought a lot of energy to the show and played nonstop for a couple hours.  What a fantastic musician.
 
Posted 8 years ago by DaMoGan    [ Reply ]
Not again Bill, how did he get a recording contract? Did he bribe someone? Awful!
Posted 8 years ago by Stefan_Lutz    [ Reply ]
What the hell is he talking about? Please make it stop!
Posted 8 years ago by Stefan_Lutz    [ Reply ]
 Kaisersosay wrote:

Pixies, B-52's Johnny Rivers, now Elvis,,,,its like my 1980 playlist on my ,,,,,,phone,,,no, I pod,,,no,,,um walkma,,,um no,,,,my turntable,,, yup turntable.

Nice lineup.



 
Still the best way to listen to em....too bad we cant miniaturize vinyl
Posted 8 years ago by heyjoe3577    [ Reply ]
My favorite Elvis song... by either artist using the name.  
Posted 8 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
Just beautiful 
Posted 8 years ago by Ishwara    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

I remember making a point of not missing it because The Sex Pistols were originally scheduled.  

Next year, the Sex Pistols album "Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols" will be 40 (FORTY!) years old.  And for some reason, it's still considered unplayable—too harsh for public consumption.  I know some tracks are definitely not suitable for the airwaves, but I see no reason why a couple of these songs couldn't get a spin in 2016.  

I've submitted the leadoff track here, only to see it get shot down like a 1960's Berlin Wall tower guard picking off a freedom seeker.

  

12 Track Version (US Edition)

No.TitleWriter(s)Length

1."Holidays in the Sun"  Cook/Jones/Rotten/Vicious3:22

2."Bodies"  Cook/Jones/Rotten/Vicious3:03

3."No Feelings"  Cook/Jones/Matlock/Rotten2:53

4."Liar"  Cook/Jones/Matlock/Rotten2:41

5."Problems"  Cook/Jones/Matlock/Rotten4:11

6."God Save the Queen"  Cook/Jones/Matlock/Rotten3:20

7."Seventeen"  Cook/Jones/Matlock/Rotten2:02

8."Anarchy in the U.K."  Cook/Jones/Matlock/Rotten3:32

9."Submission"  Cook/Jones/Matlock/Rotten4:12

10."Pretty Vacant"  Cook/Jones/Matlock/Rotten3:18

11."New York"  Cook/Jones/Matlock/Rotten3:07

12."E.M.I."  Cook/Jones/Matlock/Rotten3:10


Posted 8 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
       
                                 Is so full of love & Ardour
                                       So we line up.

                              It better be a big family affair.
                    Miranda, she  will be the one prompting law,
          Because she's pretty much the nearest to the grime scene

               Despite deputy too has got his own  toy collection
                   He can barely do little better than stuttering,
                      That keeps freaking hella lotta people
                               Out of their dearest minds.
                 So looks like soon we won't need around here
                     No deputy no more,  crying up to the sky
                   'Diáspora' from the places you never heard.
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
Maybe he was shooting for irony
Posted 9 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
Titled album: My Aim Is True

It's actually not good aim. His picture on the album is not centered. Maybe he should have been watching the graphics guy's aim instead of the detectives.

 
As a graphic designer (with OCD tendencies) I'd have to agree with you - the cover art execution is piss poor. Song's good though.
Posted 9 years ago by Paul_Williams    [ Reply ]
https://www.radioparadise.com/rp_2.php?#name=songinfo&song_id=941
Another Elvis Costello just a few hours back.
Some music is fine all day but one Elvis a day is good enough.
Posted 9 years ago by Kaw    [ Reply ]
 Stefan_Lutz wrote:
what's he talking about?

 
Man's inhumanity to man,,,or something or other,,,,,who cares.
Posted 9 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
what's he talking about?
Posted 9 years ago by Stefan_Lutz    [ Reply ]
 trevc wrote:

This is such a great record. That's one reason how.

 
Agreed
Posted 9 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]

Pixies, B-52's Johnny Rivers, now Elvis,,,,its like my 1980 playlist on my ,,,,,,phone,,,no, I pod,,,no,,,um walkma,,,um no,,,,my turntable,,, yup turntable.

Nice lineup.


Posted 9 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
 Stefan_Lutz wrote:
Please push fast forward, how did he get a recording contract?

 
This is such a great record. That's one reason how.
Posted 9 years ago by trevc    [ Reply ]
Please push fast forward, how did he get a recording contract?
Posted 9 years ago by Stefan_Lutz    [ Reply ]
she's filing her nails while they're dragging the lake...
kinda like the indifference we now have amongst political candidates towards mass shootings. 
so many great lines in this song, as punchy as it ever was 
Posted 9 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
Holy CRAP did that come in well after the ending jam of "Can't You Hear Me Knocking"!!!
Posted 9 years ago by subgyro    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
Another mighty blast from the past catches up with us on good old RP...
I can never forget how I was first introduced to this song, this guy and his wacky new sound...
Watching SNL, '77, back in the day — this nerdy gawky sweaty pigeon-toed dude comes on with Buddy Holly specs and Fender Jag guitar and tight stove-pipe jeans with the cuffs turned up hideously high (weirdly enough, bell bottoms were the norm then!). He herks and jerks around the stage spastically then grabs the mike and wraps around it and snarls something like, "Nhuh we're not gonna do THAT one...we're gonna do THIS one instead," and HE FREAKED THE WATCHING WORLD RIGHT OUT WITH IT! Next day at high school, we're all imitating the pigeon-toed pose and sneering the wicked, twisted lyrics, "and she is WATCHING the de-TEC-TIVES!" and the teachers are giving us the same sort of stunned and quizzical looks we'd first given Mr. Declan MacManus on the tube the night before...and we sure DUG IT!

 
Yes, I remember that as well.  I remember making a point of not missing it because The Sex Pistols were originally scheduled.  I was not disappointed - Elvis rocked, but he was playing a Fender Jazzmaster, not a Jaguar.
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Titled album: My Aim Is True

It's actually not good aim. His picture on the album is not centered. Maybe he should have been watching the graphics guy's aim instead of the detectives.
Posted 9 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
superb bass line
Posted 9 years ago by rascal    [ Reply ]
How the hell am I supposed to get any work done.

First Cant you hear me Knockin" now this brilliant record. 
Posted 10 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Kudos to Carnegie Hall he goes in late June - wooooo! :)
Posted 10 years ago by Amyjacksoncc    [ Reply ]
{#Yell}   this is a "G O D L I K E" song

 Mr Costello at his very best  {#Yes}
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
Does this get old?

No.


Posted 10 years ago by MassivRuss    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
Another mighty blast from the past catches up with us on good old RP...
I can never forget how I was first introduced to this song, this guy and his wacky new sound...
Watching SNL, '77, back in the day — this nerdy gawky sweaty pigeon-toed dude comes on with Buddy Holly specs and Fender Jag guitar and tight stove-pipe jeans with the cuffs turned up hideously high (weirdly enough, bell bottoms were the norm then!). He herks and jerks around the stage spastically then grabs the mike and wraps around it and snarls something like, "Nhuh we're not gonna do THAT one...we're gonna do THIS one instead," and HE FREAKED THE WATCHING WORLD RIGHT OUT WITH IT! Next day at high school, we're all imitating the pigeon-toed pose and sneering the wicked, twisted lyrics, "and she is WATCHING the de-TEC-TIVES!" and the teachers are giving us the same sort of stunned and quizzical looks we'd first given Mr. Declan MacManus on the tube the night before...and we sure DUG IT!



 kcar wrote:

I remember watching that too...not fully engaged (who is this manic geek) and being sleepily puzzled as to why the hell he wouldn't play the song?

All-knowing Uncle Wikipedia explains...Frankly, I don't think Americans watching were going to link "Less Than Zero" to Oswald Mosley, so Elvis might have made the right call. I sure didn't until I looked at the Wikipedia piece; like a lot of guys, I admittedly don't listen carefully to lyrics. 

As for SNL banning Elvis for x years: assclowns. Lighten up: the unrehearsed and chaotic make shows like that fun. 

 
Me too!  Can't believe I am not the only one with that performance indelibly burned in my brain.  It was incredible.

The Radio,Radio appearance (that got him banned) must have been a subsequent appearance, because I can remember be mesmerized by the "watching the detectives" like it just yesterday!
Posted 11 years ago by trailhead    [ Reply ]
OK, after the 20th time hearing this song on this radio station I have begun to wonder if the proprietor of this station is married?  I very much enjoy this song and if this song is played for "someone"  else I am all for it!  all the best to all and play it again.
Posted 11 years ago by ddbz    [ Reply ]
I just love the ambiance of this song.  Brings back a lot of good times...
Posted 11 years ago by davewski    [ Reply ]
The first big hit from an enormous talent and the only Film Noir pop tune ever recorded to my knowledge.  This cut is an all-time RnR masterpiece.  Gave it a 9.
Posted 11 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:

I remember watching that too...not fully engaged (who is this manic geek) and being sleepily puzzled as to why the hell he wouldn't play the song?

All-knowing Uncle Wikipedia explains...Frankly, I don't think Americans watching were going to link "Less Than Zero" to Oswald Mosley, so Elvis might have made the right call. I sure didn't until I looked at the Wikipedia piece; like a lot of guys, I admittedly don't listen carefully to lyrics. 

As for SNL banning Elvis for x years: assclowns. Lighten up: the unrehearsed and chaotic make shows like that fun. 

 
 
I saw that show...f**kin brilliant...loved him ever since.
Posted 12 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
Another mighty blast from the past catches up with us on good old RP...
I can never forget how I was first introduced to this song, this guy and his wacky new sound...
Watching SNL, '77, back in the day — this nerdy gawky sweaty pigeon-toed dude comes on with Buddy Holly specs and Fender Jag guitar and tight stove-pipe jeans with the cuffs turned up hideously high (weirdly enough, bell bottoms were the norm then!). He herks and jerks around the stage spastically then grabs the mike and wraps around it and snarls something like, "Nhuh we're not gonna do THAT one...we're gonna do THIS one instead," and HE FREAKED THE WATCHING WORLD RIGHT OUT WITH IT! Next day at high school, we're all imitating the pigeon-toed pose and sneering the wicked, twisted lyrics, "and she is WATCHING the de-TEC-TIVES!" and the teachers are giving us the same sort of stunned and quizzical looks we'd first given Mr. Declan MacManus on the tube the night before...and we sure DUG IT!
 
I remember watching that too...not fully engaged (who is this manic geek) and being sleepily puzzled as to why the hell he wouldn't play the song?

All-knowing Uncle Wikipedia explains...Frankly, I don't think Americans watching were going to link "Less Than Zero" to Oswald Mosley, so Elvis might have made the right call. I sure didn't until I looked at the Wikipedia piece; like a lot of guys, I admittedly don't listen carefully to lyrics. 

As for SNL banning Elvis for x years: assclowns. Lighten up: the unrehearsed and chaotic make shows like that fun. 

 
Posted 12 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 Byronape wrote:

Yeah, I agree there.  Irony is good, snarky is good, but to be ironically snarky while projecting an image that I'm not cool enough to be part of the "in crowd" anyway does not give me any reason to want to listen.

 
 
I just have no idea what this means. Either you were absent in 77 or you were listening elsewhere to something I would not go near.
Posted 12 years ago by gemtag    [ Reply ]
 karljonasson wrote:

Well, except the song he did instead was 'Radio Radio' off his This Year's Model album. The producers at SNL banned him from the show for decades for that stunt.
 
i THOUGHT that was the song i remembered! i remember it was a super uptempo and i was about to say "wasn't it radio radio" as some kind of slam to producers or something - is why he did it? i can't recall...
Posted 12 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
Another mighty blast from the past catches up with us on good old RP...
I can never forget how I was first introduced to this song, this guy and his wacky new sound...
Watching SNL, '77, back in the day — this nerdy gawky sweaty pigeon-toed dude comes on with Buddy Holly specs and Fender Jag guitar and tight stove-pipe jeans with the cuffs turned up hideously high (weirdly enough, bell bottoms were the norm then!). He herks and jerks around the stage spastically then grabs the mike and wraps around it and snarls something like, "Nhuh we're not gonna do THAT one...we're gonna do THIS one instead," and HE FREAKED THE WATCHING WORLD RIGHT OUT WITH IT! Next day at high school, we're all imitating the pigeon-toed pose and sneering the wicked, twisted lyrics, "and she is WATCHING the de-TEC-TIVES!" and the teachers are giving us the same sort of stunned and quizzical looks we'd first given Mr. Declan MacManus on the tube the night before...and we sure DUG IT!
 
Well, except the song he did instead was 'Radio Radio' off his This Year's Model album. The producers at SNL banned him from the show for decades for that stunt.
Posted 12 years ago by karljonasson    [ Reply ]
damn, i love this.
Posted 12 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Another mighty blast from the past catches up with us on good old RP...
I can never forget how I was first introduced to this song, this guy and his wacky new sound...
Watching SNL, '77, back in the day — this nerdy gawky sweaty pigeon-toed dude comes on with Buddy Holly specs and Fender Jag guitar and tight stove-pipe jeans with the cuffs turned up hideously high (weirdly enough, bell bottoms were the norm then!). He herks and jerks around the stage spastically then grabs the mike and wraps around it and snarls something like, "Nhuh we're not gonna do THAT one...we're gonna do THIS one instead," and HE FREAKED THE WATCHING WORLD RIGHT OUT WITH IT! Next day at high school, we're all imitating the pigeon-toed pose and sneering the wicked, twisted lyrics, "and she is WATCHING the de-TEC-TIVES!" and the teachers are giving us the same sort of stunned and quizzical looks we'd first given Mr. Declan MacManus on the tube the night before...and we sure DUG IT!
Posted 12 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
1977 - the year I abandoned grad school and took a third-shift job, where I was able to play a local radio station whose overnight DJ played Elvis Costello, XTC, Nick Lowe, etc.

Thanks, Pat P., wherever you are! 
Posted 12 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
Classic.
Listening to the older Elvis C always brings back memories of Warm Guns; a danish band inspired by Elvis C.

Especially their album "Hard luck"
"Bedtime story" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqkHy3xNypU hmm cut short by a minute

"The young go first" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4vfl3vnBiA hideous video, but that was how it was back then
Posted 12 years ago by slate_dk    [ Reply ]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watching_The_Detectives_(song)

The single, produced by Nick Lowe, was the first to be credited to 'Elvis Costello & the Attractions', reflecting the new backing band that he was using, previous releases being credited solely to the singer.<7> The lead track was, in fact, recorded in May 1977, before the Attractions existed - the backing band on the song were Steve Goulding on drums and Andrew Bodnar on bass guitar, both from Graham Parker's band, The Rumour.<8> Keyboard overdubs were added later by Steve Nason (later better-known as Steve Nieve).<8> It was also the first top 40 hit in the UK Singles Chart for Costello, reaching #15 and spending a total of eleven weeks in the chart.<7><9>

Andrew Bodnar on bass guitar 
Posted 12 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]

Pure Genius


Posted 12 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Love Elvis,,,,or I should say the Elvi..
Posted 12 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
 Sorcha wrote:

My comment is sure to be trashed, but here goes:

I have NEVER liked Elvis C.  I cannot *stand* when people sing in that sneery, snarky contrived tone.  I suppose he's a clever songwriter, to be fair; but his singing just cancels out any listenability for me.

Tra La.....

 
Yeah, I agree there.  Irony is good, snarky is good, but to be ironically snarky while projecting an image that I'm not cool enough to be part of the "in crowd" anyway does not give me any reason to want to listen.

 
Posted 12 years ago by Byronape    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:

Most critics think The Attractions, EC's band after this album, was his best. Hmm. Don't know if he'd have gained any traction if My Aim Is True had bombed. Clover, a group from Mill Valley, CA, backed him on My Aim courtesy of Nick Lowe, who'd brought them over to England to record. Clover was Huey Lewis's band by then, but he doesn't appear on My Aim. Sean Hopper, later starting The News with Lewis, and John McFee, long time Doobie Brother, do.


 
As a long time Elvis fan, I can appreciate the work of the boys from Clover on MAIT but.........I would put Steve Nieve and Pete Thomas up against anyone in their generation on their respective instruments.

Posted 12 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Love Elvis..all class
Posted 12 years ago by Cloudbusting    [ Reply ]
THE REAL ELVIS! {#Clap}
Posted 12 years ago by hubcapsally    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:

Most critics think The Attractions, EC's band after this album, was his best. Hmm. Don't know if he'd have gained any traction if My Aim Is True had bombed. Clover, a group from Mill Valley, CA, backed him on My Aim courtesy of Nick Lowe, who'd brought them over to England to record. Clover was Huey Lewis's band by then, but he doesn't appear on My Aim. Sean Hopper, later starting The News with Lewis, and John McFee, long time Doobie Brother, do.

 
That's Andrew Bodnar playing the incredible bass on this track. Clover's bassist, Johnny Ciambotti, sat out.

Posted 12 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 Sorcha wrote:

My comment is sure to be trashed, but here goes:

I have NEVER liked Elvis C.  I cannot *stand* when people sing in that sneery, snarky contrived tone.  I suppose he's a clever songwriter, to be fair; but his singing just cancels out any listenability for me.


 
For the most part, I agree with you, but on this particular song, that sneery, snarky tone actually works.

Posted 12 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]