Born in St Mary's Hospital, Paddington in London, Costello is the son of trumpeter, vocalist and band-leader Ronald (“Ross”) MacManus and record store manager Lillian Costello. His family had roots in Merseyside and he moved to Birkenhead at age 16, with his mother, when his parents separated. While he is better known as 'Elvis Costello', a stage name referring to the legendary Elvis Presley suggested by Stiff Records manager Jake Riviera, he has used many other aliases, including 'The Imposter' and 'Napoleon Dynamite'.
In the early 1970s Costello was a participant in London's pub rock scene with the group Flip City. Then in 1977 along with fellow Pub-Rockers Nick Lowe and Ian Dury he made his first releases on the independent label Stiff, tailoring his work towards the burgeoning punk, power pop, and new wave scenes. From 1980's Armed Forces onwards, however, other influences including soul, country, 1960s pop, and classical music began to re-emerge, and he soon became established as a unique and original voice. His output has been wildly diverse: one critic has written that "Costello, the pop encyclopedia, can reinvent the past in his own image".
His prolific and varied 30-year career has been marked by two constants: sharp songwriting and musical restlessness. The latter has seen him dabble in almost every musical form, from country to jazz to orchestral. This stems from the fact that, at heart, Costello is a fan. His desire to work with his musical heroes has attracted collaborators as diverse as Burt Bacharach and Paul McCartney, Anne Sofie von Otter, Allen Toussaint, Aimee Mann, Bill Frisell, and Brian Eno.
But his most successful partners were his long-term band The Attractions. They comprised Steve Nieve (keyboards), Pete Thomas (drums) and Bruce Thomas (bass). Between 1978 and 1983, this outfit produced a peerless series of albums: This Year's Model; Armed Forces; Get Happy!!; Almost Blue; Trust; Imperial Bedroom and Punch the Clock.
These recordings drew on styles spanning soul, country and western and commercial pop. It was only with 1984's Goodbye Cruel World that Costello started to stumble. An album he concedes was one of his worst, it ushered in a period which produced interesting music but lacked the consistent quality of his halcyon days. Interestingly, although he enlisted the other Elvis's band for King of America in 1986, it was a reunion with The Attractions and former producer Nick Lowe that produced his best album of the late 1980s in the form of the scabrous Blood and Chocolate.
The following albums, Spike and Mighty Like a Rose were uncompromising and difficult solo works, as was the string quartet collaboration The Juliet Letters in 1993. It was only reconvening the Attractions for Brutal Youth the following year that gave his fans another glimpse of what first attracted them to him: punchy, angry pop songs, tightly played by an impeccably taut ensemble.
Since then, Costello has become a career dilettante, true to his inner musical quest, but never again returning to heights he scaled in the early 1980s. Maybe the best work of this latter period was 1998's Painted from Memory. This joint effort with Burt Bacharach matched restrained writing from Costello with stately Bacharach arrangements.
Subsequent career nadirs such as the tune-free North (2003), and instrumental orchestral works such as Il Sogno (2004) led many long-term admirers to conclude that Costello had retained his integrity at the expense of his real musical strengths. However, he has given occasional evidence of his former fire. The ballsy bar-room atmosphere of the collaborative The Delivery Man (2004), suggests that he is still capable of giving his fans what they want, in between his more esoteric experiments.
Elvis is married to jazz vocalist Diana Krall and they have twin sons.
*Upon the film's release, it was noted that the name "Napoleon Dynamite" had originally been used by musician Elvis Costello, most visibly on his 1986 album Blood and Chocolate, although he had used the pseudonym on a single B-side as early as 1982. Filmmaker Jared Hess claims that he was not aware of Costello's use of the name until two days before the end of shooting, when he was informed by a teenage extra. He later said, "Had I known that name was used by anybody else prior to shooting the whole film, it definitely would have been changed ... I listen to hip-hop, dude. It's a pretty embarrassing coincidence." Hess claims that "Napoleon Dynamite" was the name of a man he met around the year 2000 on the streets of Cicero, Illinois while doing missionary work for the Mormon Church.
Costello believes that Hess stole the name: "The guy just denies completely that I made the name up... but I invented it. Maybe somebody told him the name and he truly feels that he came about it by chance. But it's two words that you're never going to hear together." To date, Costello has taken no legal action against the film.
Elvis Costello and Elton John to Make a Television 'Spectacle'
Two of the most respected musicians in the world will collaborate on an extraordinary new television series.
"Spectacle: Elvis Costello with..." is hosted by its namesake and produced in conjunction with Sir Elton John's Rocket Pictures. Elton John will be one of the program's Executive Producers.
The series begain airing in 2008 on CTV in Canada, Channel 4 in the UK and Sundance Channel in the US. FremantleMedia Enterprises, will handle sales of the show to the rest of the world.
Conceived to provide a forum for in-depth discussion and performance with the most interesting and influential artists and personalities of our time, the show fuses the best of talk and music television.
"Spectacle: Elvis Costello with..." is an unpredictable and unprecedented television experience. The series of 13 one-hour programs features everything from intimate one-on-ones with legendary performers and notable newcomers to thematic panel discussions, with a variety of performance elements including unique collaborations, acoustic and impromptu "illustrative" demonstrations of the creative process, and some original interpretations of others' songs by Costello.
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Elvis Costello Lyrics
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And you took it, 'cause you need it, alibi, alibi
But if I've done something wrong there's no "ifs and buts"
'Cause I love you just as much as I hate your guts
Alibi, alibi, alibi
And you don't need anybody, alibi, alibi
You deserve it, 'cause you're special, alibi, alibi
Maybe Jesus wants you for a sunbeam, alibi, alibi
But if I've left something out, I apologize
But if you look in my eyes then I'm sure you'll see
Alibis, alibis, alibis
Sometimes I'm so forgiving, oh-oh
Everything seems bad to me
But I can't go on living, oh-oh
With this alibi, alibi, alibi
"Insane," what a mundane alibi, alibi
And you only wanted to be famous, alibi, alibi
Sorry, but your mommy doesn't love you, alibi, alibi
Stop me if you've heard this alibi, alibi
But if I've done something right then don't be surprised
There are soldiers who will kill but refuse to die
But if I've done something wrong there's no "ifs and buts"
'Cause I love you just as much as I hate your guts
Alibi, alibi, alibi, alibi
You were weak, you couldn't help it, alibi, alibi
But you never had a pony, alibi, alibi
But if I've left something out, I apologize
But if you look in my eyes then I'm sure you'll see
Alibis, alibis, alibis
And you're such a people person, alibi, alibi
And I will be true to you forever, alibi, alibi
But you're stupid and you're lazy, alibi, alibi
Maybe we can make the future better, alibi, alibi
But if I've done something wrong there's no "ifs and buts"
'Cause I love you just as much as I hate your guts
Alibi, alibi, alibi, alibi
Sometimes I'm so forgiving, oh-oh
Everything seems bad to me, oh
But I can't go on living, oh-oh
With this alibi, alibi, alibi
You were happy, you were poor
And more honest and that's your alibi, alibi
Sister is a whore, brother isn't sure, alibi, alibi
You don't fit the body that you're trapped in, alibi, alibi
And papa's got a brand-new alibi, alibi
But if I've done something wrong there's no "ifs and buts"
'Cause I love you just as much as I hate your guts
But if I've left something out, I apologize
But if you look in my eyes then I'm sure you'll see
Alibis, alibis, alibis, alibis
The song "Alibi" by Elvis Costello tells a story about a lover who cheats and uses excuses to justify their actions. The chorus, repeating "alibi, alibi," signifies the excuses that the lover provides to cover up their infidelity. Although the lyrics are full of contradictions, with the singer saying they love and hate their partner at the same time, the message is clear: the singer is hurt and grappling with the betrayal they've experienced.
The lyrics contain references to Jesus ("Maybe Jesus wants you for a sunbeam") and war ("There are soldiers who will kill but refuse to die"), both of which suggest that the singer is struggling to make sense of their emotions in the wake of their partner's infidelity. The repeated use of "alibi, alibi" emphasizes the theme of deception and untruthfulness.
Overall, "Alibi" is a contemplative song that explores the complexities of love and infidelity. The lyrics suggest that the singer is hurt and grappling with their emotions, but also hint at a deeper understanding of the factors that can drive someone to cheat.
Line by Line Meaning
You did it 'cause you wanted, alibi, alibi
You committed a crime or did something wrong and needed an excuse
And you took it, 'cause you need it, alibi, alibi
You accepted the excuse because you had no other option
But if I've done something wrong there's no "ifs and buts"
If I did something wrong, I admit it without hesitation
'Cause I love you just as much as I hate your guts
I have a love-hate relationship with you
And you don't need anybody, alibi, alibi
You don't rely on anyone else for support or excuses
But you are the only one that knows this, alibi, alibi
You keep this fact a secret from everyone else
You deserve it, 'cause you're special, alibi, alibi
You feel entitled to special treatment, including excuses, because of your perceived uniqueness or importance
Maybe Jesus wants you for a sunbeam, alibi, alibi
You are delusional and think you are destined for something great
But if I've left something out, I apologize
If there is any detail or information missing, I'm sorry
But if you look in my eyes then I'm sure you'll see
You can tell from my expression that I am telling the truth
Sometimes I'm so forgiving, oh-oh
Everything seems bad to me
I often overlook people's wrongdoings and give second chances, even though it hurts me
But I can't go on living, oh-oh
With this alibi, alibi, alibi
I can't continue living with the constant excuse-making and lack of accountability
"Insane," what a mundane alibi, alibi
Your explanation for your actions is boring and unoriginal
And you only wanted to be famous, alibi, alibi
You did something wrong in an attempt to gain fame or attention
Sorry, but your mommy doesn't love you, alibi, alibi
Your upbringing may have contributed to your behavior, but it doesn't excuse it
Stop me if you've heard this alibi, alibi
Your excuse is so common and overused that it's not believable
There are soldiers who will kill but refuse to die
Some people are brave enough to take responsibility for their actions, even if it means facing the consequences
You were weak, you couldn't help it, alibi, alibi
You are using your perceived lack of strength or control as an excuse for your actions
But you never had a pony, alibi, alibi
Your lack of material possessions or opportunities is not a valid excuse for your behavior
And you're such a people person, alibi, alibi
And I will be true to you forever, alibi, alibi
You are good at manipulating others and I will always remain loyal to you, even though you make excuses
But you're stupid and you're lazy, alibi, alibi
You are using your perceived lack of intelligence or work ethic as an excuse for your actions
Maybe we can make the future better, alibi, alibi
We can work together to improve the future and avoid making excuses
You were happy, you were poor
And more honest and that's your alibi, alibi
You were happier and more honest when you had less, and your honesty can be considered your excuse
Sister is a whore, brother isn't sure, alibi, alibi
Your family's dysfunction and unresolved issues may have played a role in your behavior, but it doesn't excuse it
You don't fit the body that you're trapped in, alibi, alibi
You feel like you are stuck in a body that doesn't truly reflect who you are, but it's not an excuse for your behavior
And papa's got a brand-new alibi, alibi
Your father may have a new excuse for your actions, but it doesn't absolve you of responsibility
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind