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.
I
Elvis Costello Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I love you more than I can tell
I don't think I can live without you
And I know that I never will
Oh my baby, baby
I want you so it scares me to death
I can't say anymore than "I love you"
Everything else is a waste of breath
You've had your fun, you don't get well no more
I want you
Your fingernails go dragging down the wall
Be careful darling, you might fall
I want you
I woke up and one of us was crying
I want you
You said "young man I do believe you're dying"
I want you
If you need a second opinion as you seem to do these days
I want you
You can look in my eyes and you can count the ways
I want you
Did you mean to tell me but seem to forget?
I want you
Since when were you so generous and inarticulate?
I want you
It's the stupid details that my heart is breaking for
It's the way your shoulders shake and what they're shaking for
I want you
It's knowing that he knows you now after only guessing
It's the thought of him undressing you or you undressing
I want you
He tossed some tattered compliment your way
I want you
And you were fool enough to love it when he said
"I want you"
I want you
The truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark
It scares you witless
But in time you see things clear and stark
I want you
Go on and hurt me then we'll let it drop
I want you
I'm afraid I won't know where to stop
I want you
I'm not ashamed to say I cried for you
I want you
I want to know the things you did that we do too
I want you
I want to hear he pleases you more than I do
I want you
I might as well be useless for all it means to you
I want you
Did you call his name out as he held you down?
I want you
Oh no my darling, not with that clown
I want you
I want you
You've had your fun, you don't get well no more
I want you
No one who wants you could want you more
I want you
I want you
I want you
Every night when I go off to bed and when I wake up
I want you
I'm going to say it again 'til I instill it
I know I'm going to feel this way until you kill it
I want you
I want you
I want you
Elvis Costello’s “I Want You” is a haunting song about love and obsession. The song is a slow-burning, moody number with a sparse, eerie arrangement that captures the song’s fraught emotions perfectly. The lyrics of the song are intense and almost unsettling, as Costello sings about his all-consuming desire for someone he can’t have.
The song starts with a simple declaration of love: “Oh my baby, baby I love you more than I can tell.” However, Costello quickly reveals that his love for this person is not healthy. He can’t live without them, and the thought of not having them in his life scares him to death. As the song progresses, Costello becomes more and more desperate, repeating the phrase “I want you” over and over again. He describes how he wakes up crying, how he’s afraid he won’t know where to stop, and how his heart is breaking over the “stupid details” of this person’s life.
The most intense part of the song comes near the end, where Costello sings about imagining this person with someone else. The imagery is vivid and disturbing: “It’s the thought of him undressing you or you undressing.” The song ends with Costello admitting that he knows he will feel this way until he dies, saying “I’m going to say it again ‘til I instill it/I know I’m going to feel this way until you kill it/I want you.”
Overall, “I Want You” is a powerful song that captures the desperation and obsession that can come from unrequited love. The lyrics are intense and unsettling, but the sparse arrangement and Costello’s haunting vocals make the song unforgettable.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh my baby, baby
Addressing the subject of the song in an affectionate way
I love you more than I can tell
Expressing an intense love that is challenging to express in words
I don't think I can live without you
Stating that the subject of the song is essential to the singer's life
And I know that I never will
Admitting that there is no way to imagine life without the subject
I want you so it scares me to death
Admitting that the intensity of the desire is overwhelming and potentially frightening
I can't say anymore than "I love you"
Acknowledging that expressing feelings in words can be challenging or inadequate
Everything else is a waste of breath
Claiming that there is no need for any other words or expressions besides "I love you"
You've had your fun, you don't get well no more
Suggesting that the subject has been reckless and possibly self-destructive, and that there will be consequences of some kind
Your fingernails go dragging down the wall
Painting a vivid picture of a violent, destructive act
Be careful darling, you might fall
Warning the subject of the risks involved in this behavior
I woke up and one of us was crying
Recalling a moment of emotional distress
You said "young man I do believe you're dying"
Quoting the subject as making a grim, dramatic statement
If you need a second opinion as you seem to do these days
Suggesting that the subject is seeking validation or confirmation frequently
You can look in my eyes and you can count the ways
Offering reassurance that the love professed earlier is genuine and meaningful
Did you mean to tell me but seem to forget?
Questioning the subject's sincerity
Since when were you so generous and inarticulate?
Challenging the subject's ability to express true feelings
It's the stupid details that my heart is breaking for
Admitting that trivial or insignificant things can still hurt deeply
It's the way your shoulders shake and what they're shaking for
Noticing physical signs of emotional distress and wondering what caused them
It's knowing that he knows you now after only guessing
Feeling intense jealousy or insecurity about someone else entering the picture
It's the thought of him undressing you or you undressing
Visualizing sexual intimacy between the subject and another person
He tossed some tattered compliment your way
Recognizing that the subject has received flattery from another person
And you were fool enough to love it when he said "I want you"
Implying that the subject may be naive or susceptible to manipulative tactics
The truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark
Suggesting that learning the truth can be painful but ultimately enlightening
It scares you witless
Acknowledging that confronting the truth can be a daunting prospect
But in time you see things clear and stark
Believing that accepting the truth will eventually lead to greater clarity and understanding
Go on and hurt me then we'll let it drop
Challenging the subject to be honest and potentially hurtful
I'm afraid I won't know where to stop
Acknowledging that the singer's feelings for the subject may be limitless
I'm not ashamed to say I cried for you
Admitting vulnerability and emotional pain
I want to know the things you did that we do too
Expressing a desire for intimacy and shared experiences
I want to hear he pleases you more than I do
Feeling insecure about the subject's level of satisfaction with the singer
I might as well be useless for all it means to you
Feeling unimportant or undervalued by the subject
Did you call his name out as he held you down?
Suggesting that the subject may have been sexually involved with another person
Oh no my darling, not with that clown
Expressing disgust or dissatisfaction with the choice of partner
No one who wants you could want you more
Claiming that the singer's desire and love is absolutely unparalleled
Every night when I go off to bed and when I wake up
Implying that the singer's thoughts of the subject are constant
I'm going to say it again 'til I instill it
Repeatedly professing love and desire in order to reinforce it
I know I'm going to feel this way until you kill it
Believing that only the subject can end the singer's intense feelings
I want you
Repeating the central message of the song, that the subject is deeply desired and loved
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marcbriggs4449
Having had several ankle sprains in my life, watching Elvis's feet in this makes me grit my teeth -- what a great song
@mag-nm7tw
I noticed the same thing. Lol
@wmallensmith7508
Holy double-jointed ankles, Batman!
@katebeck1788
I can imagine 😅
@damitdw3917
I'm 😔😐 slightly pigeon 🐦 toed.. hahahaha!!
@robadams5799
I was just about to comment about his funky ankles. I was reminded of how great this song was when it was played in the background of an AFV montage.
@vikinglord7545
That bass line is ridiculously awesome.
@ludannelasyvyus1824
8/20/2023 @ @vikinglord7545 On most, if not all songs in which the bassist in Elvis's group in this video that he plays on have cool bass work, though not all as punchy as Pump It Up.
Also: Joe Jackson's bassist plays "awesome" punchy bass lines as well.
@jimbarrofficial
Yes, first thing I noticed. Costello's band is not a footnote; very underrated in all ways.
@ivanjulian2532
This song was mixed so well. Each instrument just at the right level. EC's voice nice and clear. The drums sound killer. There's so much "space" in this mix.