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.
Accident's Will Happen
Elvis Costello Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Though he says he'll wait forever
It's now or never
But she keeps him hanging on
The silly champion
She says she can't go home
Without a chaperone
We only hit and run
He used to be your victim
Now you're not the only one
Accidents will happen
We only hit and run
I don't wanna hear it
'Cause I know what I've done
There's so many fish in the sea
That only rise up in the sweat and smoke like mercury
But they keep you hanging on
They say you're so young
Your mind is made up, but your mouth is undone
Accidents will happen
We only hit and run
He used to be your victim
Now you're not the only one
Accidents will happen
We only hit and run
I don't wanna hear it
'Cause I know what I've done
And it's the damage that we do and never know
It's the words that we don't say that scare me so
There's so many people to see
So many people you can check up on
And add to your collection
But they keep you hanging on
Until you're well hung
Your mouth is made up, but your mind is undone
Accidents will happen
We only hit and run
He used to be your victim
Now you're not the only one
Accidents will happen
We only hit and run
I don't wanna hear it
'Cause I know what I've
I know what I've
I know what I've done
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know
The lyrics of Elvis Costello's song Accidents Will Happen address the themes of love, temptation, and the damage that people can cause unintentionally. The song opens with a confusion and hesitation in the singer's mind. He is indecisive about where to begin, and despite his lover's assurance that she will always wait for him, he is unsure whether to take any action or not. The woman is portrayed as a "silly champion" who cannot go home without a chaperone, which suggests she is either a minor or has overprotective parents. The singer seems to suggest that she is playing games, keeping him hanging on rather than being honest about her intentions.
As the song progresses, Costello describes the dangers of playing games in a relationship, adding that accidents will happen and we only hit and run. The singer acknowledges that he himself has been guilty of this, but he refuses to hear any criticism because he knows what he's done. Costello emphasizes the potentially catastrophic effects of our actions, noting that "it's the damage that we do and never know," as well as the importance of honest communication in relationships. There are so many people in the world, the singer suggests, and many are just as alluring as the object of his affection. But in the end, they all keep you hanging on, leaving your mind undone and your mouth made up.
In summary, the song Accidents Will Happen explores the theme of love as a confusing and sometimes treacherous affair. The lyrics warn that games and deception can lead to unintended consequences and suggest that honest communication is essential to achieving true happiness in romantic relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh I just don't know where to begin
He is unsure of how to start talking about this situation
Though he says he'll wait forever
The other person said they will wait a long time
It's now or never
Time is running out
But she keeps him hanging on
The other person is delaying the decision
The silly champion
The other person is being foolish
She says she can't go home
The other person can't go back to where they came from
Without a chaperone
The other person needs someone else to accompany them
Accidents will happen
Mistakes are inevitable
We only hit and run
We make mistakes and then move on
He used to be your victim
You used to be the one hurting the other person
Now you're not the only one
Now the other person is also making mistakes
I don't want to hear it
The artist does not want to listen
'Cause I know what I've done
The singer is aware of their mistakes
There's so many fish in the sea
There are many options available
That only rise up in the sweat and smoke like mercury
Some options only appear when things get heated
But they keep you hanging on
The other options also delay the decision
They say you're so young
They criticize the artist's age
Your mind is made up but your mouth is undone
The singer knows what they want but can't express it
And it's the damage that we do
Our mistakes can cause harm
And never know
We may not realize it
It's the words that we don't say
Not expressing ourselves can also cause harm
That scare me so
This thought is frightening
So many people to see
There are many people to choose from
So many people you can check up on
There are many people to keep tabs on
And add to your collection
The other people become like possessions
But they keep you hanging on
The singer is still uncertain
Until you're well hung
Until the situation becomes overwhelming
Your mouth is made up but your mind is undone
The artist still can't express themselves
I know, I know, I know, I know
The artist acknowledges their mistakes
I know, I know, I know, I know
The singer acknowledges their mistakes
I know, I know, I know, I know
The singer acknowledges their mistakes
I know, I know, I know, I know
The artist acknowledges their mistakes
I know, I know, I know
The artist acknowledges their mistakes
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Elvis Costello
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rachaelstryker3099
Saw him live three days ago, and he opened with this song. His words and artistry just command your ears and heart still. So much gratitude for Elvis.
@eargasm1072
One lucky lady...he's one legend i've never had the pleasure to experience live! Maybe some day...
@nancymasi6141
Got me through a very difficult time in my life. A teenager alone and no one to turn to. Actually gave me the courage to go on. No regrets
@amberdorkostopper
Glad you are here.
@garrettdavis6500
Music is entirely therapeutic. Not alone, but definitely can see you through some stretches.
@april1969simnel
One of the animators of this video, Annabel Jankel, is Chaz Jankel's sister. She also co-created the character "Max Headroom" in the 80s. Chaz was in Ian Dury's band The Blockheads, and he wrote and originally performed the dance hit "Ai No Corrida" (covered by Quincy Jones), and "Glad to Know You".
@auberjean6873
April Simnel thank you! How cool is that? Still have Glad To Know You. What a talent!
@themadplotter
That is super cool.
@Charles12
She's also co-director of Super Mario Bros. 1993 along with Rocky Morton, who was also animator of this video and also co-creator of Max Headroom.
@sadalite
@@Charles12 article on MSN brought me here about Super Mario Brothers. I guess with all the hype for the new movie more is being said about the old 1993 movie