Posted on 01/11/2022 5:25:33 PM PST by nickcarraway
Elvis Costello has announced he’ll no longer perform his 1979 hit song “Oliver’s Army” is concert.
The rocker explained his decision during an interview with The Telegraph, noting that it stems from the lyric, “Only takes one itchy trigger / One more widow, one less white n_____."
“If I wrote that song today, maybe I’d think twice about [the lyric],” Costello admitted, before noting that the slur was historically accurate. “That’s what my grandfather was called in the British army — it’s historically a fact — but people hear that word go off like a bell and accuse me of something that I didn’t intend.”
“Oliver’s Army” was inspired by the conflicts in Northern Ireland that took place during the ‘70s. The song, which was included on the 1979 LP Armed Forces, hit No. 2 in the U.K. and remains the highest charting song of Costello's career. At the time of release the song aired on radio stations uncensored, however the track has routinely been bleeped in recent years. Costello claimed such action was “a mistake.”
“They’re making it worse by bleeping it for sure. Because they’re highlighting it then,” the musician opined. “Just don’t play the record!”
Costello admitted he’d toyed with changing the inflammatory lyric. “On the last tour, I wrote a new verse about censorship, but what’s the point of that?” he questioned. “So I’ve decided I’m not going to play it.”
Costello is currently slated to hit the road for a U.K. tour in June. His new album, The Boy Named If, arrives on Jan. 14.
Elvis used the same word to describe Ray Charles in 1979.
He’s not exactly punk, but he has an angry sensibility that doesn’t play by society’s rules. I like that.
I’m sure that not even the 10 people who have ever heard the song will give a shit.
He can’t think of a word that rhymes with “trigger.”
Bigger
Digger
Chigger
Jigger
Rigger
Outrigger
Sticker
Why doesn’t he rewrite the song?
“Costello admitted he’d toyed with changing the inflammatory lyric. “On the last tour, I wrote a new verse about censorship, but what’s the point of that?” he questioned. “So I’ve decided I’m not going to play it.”
What does Dire Straights do with “Money for Nothing”? Play the short version?
In both cases those are some of the best lyrics in the song.
Isn’t he close friends with Sean Penn. He wants to be politically correct. As an Irish Catholic I get the lyrics.
Edgy. Why doesn’t he just sing lullabies?
I listened to that album about a thousand times when it came out. Song is also featured in E. T. Oh noes!!
I’ve never been a fan of ELVIS COSTELLO...but I am a HUGE fan of his wife’s music and keyboard stylings.
He should change his critics rather than letting his critics change him. Isn’t that the whole point of being an artist
She’s excellent.
He got his own jet airplane.
He a millionaire.
She is a complete & utter goddess. So much talent & breathtaking beauty in one individual.
DK’s cover of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case Of You” on her “Live in Paris” album is THE absolute definitive version of that song.
10 people? Might want to multiply that by several million.
It’s one of his best. Brilliant lyrics, and rocks like mad. I understand Elvis’s mindset, though.
“Oliver’s Army” is here to stay. Give it a listen.
Was a huge fan. Kind of lost his muse after Imperial Bedroom. First 5-6 albums are pretty great.
The country one (Almost Blue) didn’t trip my trigger, however.
Actually, we could use the New Model Army right about now. Set things right and all that.
That’s not music; it’s noise.
Yeah, I think “Imperial Bedroom” and “Armed Forces” are his masterpieces for sure. He’s of late been doing some really cool live acoustic stuff with famous friends, sort of like Daryl Hall has been doing.
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