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.
Goon Squad
Elvis Costello Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't come home 'cause I've grown up too soon
I got my sentence
I got my command
They said they'd make me major if I met all their demands
I could be a corporal into corporal punishment
Or the general manager of a large establishment
But I never thought they'd put me in the
Goon squad
They've come to look you over and they're giving you the eye, eye, eye, eye
Goon squad
They want you to come out to play
You'd better say goodbye, eye, eye, eye
Some grow just like their dads
And some grow up too tall
Some go drinking with the lads
Some are no fun at all
And you must find the proper place
For everything you see
But you'll never get to make a lampshade out of me
I could join a chain of males or be the missing link
Looking for a lucky girl to put me in the pink
They pat some good boys on the back and put some to the rod
But I never thought they'd put me in the
Good squad
They've come to look you over and they're giving you the eye, eye, eye, eye
Goon squad
They want you to come out to play
You'd better say goodbye, eye, eye, eye
Mother, Father, I'm doing so well
I'm making such progress now that you can hardly tell
I fit in a little dedication
With one eye on the clock
They caught you under medication
You could be in for a shock
Thinking up the alibis that everyone's forgotten
Just another mummy's boy gone to rotten
They pat some good boys on the back and put some to the rod
But I never thought they'd put me in the
Goon squad
They've come to look you over and they're giving you the eye, eye, eye, eye
Goon squad
They want you to come out to play
You'd better say goodbye, eye, eye, eye
The lyrics of Elvis Costello’s “Goon Squad” convey a sense of rebellion against society's expectations and pressure to conform to certain roles. The persona in the song feels trapped in a system that rewards those who follow the rules and punishes those who disrupt them. The opening lines, "Mother, Father, I'm here in the zoo, I can't come home 'cause I've grown up too soon," suggest a feeling of being trapped and caged from the persona’s family and childhood in the outside world, forced to conform to a set of rules and regulations which they haven't been able to handle.
The imagery of corporal punishment and large establishments emphasizes the brutal nature of the system that rewards conformity over individuality. The chorus emphasizes this point, with the “Goon Squad” representing the enforcers of this system. However, the persona is not willing to conform and join their ranks. They reject the idea of being a part of a chain of males or being the missing link, implying that they will not follow the rules of the system regardless of where they find themselves.
Ultimately, the persona seems to be trying to assert their individuality in a system that punishes such behavior. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and anger at the constraints of society, but also an unwillingness to give in to the pressure to conform.
Line by Line Meaning
Mother, Father, I'm here in the zoo
The singer feels trapped and confined, like an animal in a zoo.
I can't come home 'cause I've grown up too soon
The singer feels like they have matured and changed quickly, making it difficult to fit in with their family again.
I got my sentence
The singer feels like they have been given a punishment or judgement for something they have done.
I got my command
The artist has been given orders or directions from someone in authority.
They said they'd make me major if I met all their demands
The artist has been promised a certain level of success if they comply with certain requirements or expectations.
I could be a corporal into corporal punishment
The singer could become a low-ranking military officer who uses physical discipline as a form of punishment.
Or the general manager of a large establishment
The singer could become a high-ranking executive in a big company.
They pat some good boys on the back and put some to the rod
Some people are rewarded for their good behavior, while others are punished for their misdeeds.
But I never thought they'd put me in the
The artist did not expect to be placed in a certain group or situation.
Goon squad
The artist refers to a group of intimidating or violent individuals, possibly associated with a certain organization or authority.
They've come to look you over and they're giving you the eye, eye, eye, eye
This group is observing the singer and paying close attention to them, potentially in a threatening or confrontational manner.
They want you to come out to play
This group is pressuring the artist to join them or participate in their activities, which may not be desirable or safe.
You'd better say goodbye, eye, eye, eye
The singer should avoid this group and distance themselves from their influence or control.
Some grow just like their dads
Some people follow in the footsteps of their parents, taking on their beliefs or behaviors.
And some grow up too tall
Others grow to be different or unique, standing out from the norm or expectations.
Some go drinking with the lads
Some people enjoy socializing and participating in traditionally masculine activities, such as drinking and hanging out with friends.
Some are no fun at all
Others do not enjoy these activities or are not seen as fun or desirable companions.
And you must find the proper place
It is important to find where one fits in and belongs in society.
For everything you see
For every person or situation, there is a certain place or role they should occupy.
But you'll never get to make a lampshade out of me
The artist will not be used or manipulated by others for their own purposes or gain.
I could join a chain of males or be the missing link
The artist has the option to conform to societal expectations and become one of many similar individuals, or to stand out and be a unique part of society.
Looking for a lucky girl to put me in the pink
The artist is looking for a romantic partner to make them happy and fulfilled.
Mother, Father, I'm doing so well
The singer is communicating that they are successful and doing well despite the pressure to conform to certain expectations.
I'm making such progress now that you can hardly tell
The artist is making significant strides or changes, but it may not be immediately apparent to others.
I fit in a little dedication
The singer is making an effort and committing themselves to a certain goal or pursuit.
With one eye on the clock
The singer is working or pursuing this goal while being aware of the time and how much they have left to accomplish it.
They caught you under medication
Someone has caught the singer using medication, which may be considered undesirable or problematic.
You could be in for a shock
The artist may face negative consequences or some form of punishment for their use of medication.
Thinking up the alibis that everyone's forgotten
The artist is coming up with excuses or justifications for their actions that may not hold up under scrutiny.
Just another mummy's boy gone to rotten
The singer is seen as weak or immature, possibly due to their close relationship with their mother or inability to conform to societal expectations.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind