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.
Lovers Walk
Elvis Costello Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beyond caution where lovers walk
Your love walks where three's a crowd
Beyond caution where lovers walk
Lovers walk, lovers scramble
Beyond caution where the lovers walk
Lovers step, shuffle and gamble
Lovers trip, lovers stumble
Lovers dip, lovers fumble
Lovers lip where love has crumbled
Beyond caution where lovers walk
Lovers strut, lovers stroll, lovers leap
Lovers late, lovers wait
Making promises that they can't keep
Lovers link up arm and arm
Lovers slink up, lovers charm
Lovers drink up and come to harm
Beyond caution where lovers walk
Love is gone and it's no one's fault
Love has stopped here, lovers halt
Lovers don't walk, lovers run
Will you look what love has done
Will you look what love has done
Will you look what love has done
Beyond caution where lovers walk
Now love's limping on a lover's crutch
Looking for a hand with a personal touch
Beyond caution where lovers walk
Beyond caution where lovers walk
Beyond caution where lovers walk
Beyond caution where lovers walk, hey, eh, eh, eh
Elvis Costello's song "Lovers Walk" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of following love without discretion. The first two lines, "I won't walk with my head bowed / Beyond caution where lovers walk," establish the theme of the song right away. The persona refuses to blindly follow love where it might lead, recognizing the risk and the potential for danger. However, the lovers in the song do not heed the warning and carry on walking together, despite the potential for complications.
Throughout the song, the lyrics describe the movements of the lovers in various ways, suggesting a sense of disorientation and chaos. The lines "Lovers trip, lovers stumble / Lovers dip, lovers fumble / Lovers lip where love has crumbled" represent the roughness of love and the potential for heartbreak. Furthermore, the lines "Lovers strut, lovers stroll, lovers leap / Lovers late, lovers wait / Making promises that they can't keep," paint a picture of confusion and irresponsibility that can develop in any kind of relationship. The repeated refrain of "Beyond caution where lovers walk" emphasizes that love has the potential to be both beautiful and dangerous.
In the final lines, the lyrics shift into a more somber tone, suggesting that love has led to disappointment and heartache. "Love is gone and it's no one's fault / Love has stopped here, lovers halt / Lovers don't walk, lovers run / Will you look what love has done" reminds listeners of the potential for love to bring pain and sadness. Ultimately, the song's message is that love is a powerful force that should be entered into with caution and care.
Line by Line Meaning
I won't walk with my head bowed
I refuse to be ashamed of who I am or what I want, even if it means going against societal expectations.
Beyond caution where lovers walk
I am willing to take risks for love, even if it means venturing into the unknown.
Your love walks where three's a crowd
Your love is possessive and jealous, making it difficult for anyone else to be included.
Lovers walk, lovers scramble
Love can be exciting and unpredictable, causing lovers to act recklessly.
Lovers step, shuffle and gamble
Love can be a game of chance, where every move has the potential to lead to something great or disastrous.
Lovers trip, lovers stumble
Love can be difficult, and lovers may face obstacles or make mistakes along the way.
Lovers dip, lovers fumble
Despite their best intentions, lovers may find themselves struggling to navigate the complexities of a relationship.
Lovers lip where love has crumbled
Even after a relationship has ended, lovers may still harbor feelings for one another and engage in physical intimacy.
Lovers strut, lovers stroll, lovers leap
Lovers may exhibit confidence, calmness, or impulsivity depending on their personalities and the situation.
Lovers late, lovers wait, making promises that they can't keep
Lovers may promise to be there for each other, but they may not always follow through with those promises.
Lovers link up arm and arm
Lovers may show affection for each other by holding hands or linking arms.
Lovers slink up, lovers charm
Lovers may attempt to seduce or manipulate each other to get what they want.
Lovers drink up and come to harm
Lovers may use alcohol or other substances to cope with their emotions or enhance their experiences, but it can lead to negative consequences.
Love is gone and it's no one's fault
Sometimes, love just fizzles out and no one is to blame for it.
Love has stopped here, lovers halt
This relationship has run its course and neither party is willing or able to continue it.
Lovers don't walk, lovers run
Breakups can often be messy, and lovers may want to distance themselves as much as possible.
Will you look what love has done
Love can bring both great joy and immense pain, and this has been a difficult and transformative experience.
Now love's limping on a lover's crutch
Despite the hurt and heartache, love can still be a source of comfort and support.
Looking for a hand with a personal touch
Lovers may need someone who truly understands and empathizes with them to help them heal and move forward.
Beyond caution where lovers walk
Love is full of risks and uncertainties, but it's worth it for those who are brave enough to take the plunge.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dirty Lemon
The piano part comes right from Bo Diddley's Say Man and Dearest Darling. Bo's influence should never be underestimated.
Erwin Woodedge
I heard it too!
Ian Evans
That bit when the instruments all drop out except the drums. Outstanding.
William Gibson
You can talk about his powers as a lyricist in hushed tones but then you realise that his song writing is on a par. He seems quite sane but I've heard that those whom the Gods love they first make mad.
james knight
"looking for a hand with a personal touch" thanks for posting the lyrics. this guy really kills me......................................
Vern Pascal
"Your Love Walks Where 3's A Crowd". That cuts to the bone real quick.
David Maholchic
Trust Elvis his best album
Dabi
Haha LOVE
Martin Miller
Now go listen to Bo Diddley's "Dearest Darling". LOL!
james knight
yeah they certainly took it to another dimension what a groove.....................