Elvis Costello Countdown

[Jack of All Parades]

Still nice to see continued 'love' by this lister for KOA.

[verbal gymnastics]

Shame each of these songs don't have an in depth analysis.

[countdownkid]

I wanted to take a little time to thank everyone who has already purchased my e-book on the songs of Elvis Costello. It’s been in the Top 50 in sales for music e-books since its release, which is a great start, and I know it’s because of my loyal readers.

Those of you who have purchased it and read it can do me a real favor by going on the Amazon page for the book (Pump It Up: Elvis Costello’s 100 Best Songs) and writing a review (good or bad.) It helps the book get in front of more eyes if it’s reviewed often. In addition, those of you who use the UK Amazon can also click “Like” on the Amazon page right next to the title, which will also help out the book when it comes to search engines and such. Here are the links:

US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BXLUFN2

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pump-Up-Elvis-C ... 152&sr=1-1

Thanks so much for your help, and talk to you all soon.

[Neil.]

Review sorted: http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R161OO64 ... deID=&tag=

Elvis Costello, one of the greatest songwriters of the rock era - as great as Dylan, Bowie, The Stones and The Beatles (so much so that Paul McCartney invited Costello to write with him) - gets a loving celebration here from someone who clearly loves music and loves Elvis.

A hundred of the great man's thrillingly melodic, lyrically fascinating songs have been held up to the light here, and marvelled at - all by a man who writes with such skill that you either want to listen to the songs again, or find out what all the fuss is about if you don't know them already.

And Beviglia doesn't just single out Elvis for praise - with a few deft phrases he conjures up the vital contributions of Elvis's musical cohorts, the mighty Attractions, and other collaborators, with descriptions so vivid that you feel as though you're listening to the songs afresh as you read.

If you're curious about Elvis, this book could be the tipping point into lifelong fandom. If you love him already, there's a lot to argue about - how on earth could Beviglia leave out your Costello favourites?!

If you love the rock era, you have to have an informed opinion on Costello. This could be your cheat sheet - but I hope it'll be your introduction to one of the true masters: you can't afford to love music and miss out on the great and glorious body of work that is the Elvis Costello songbook.

[And No Coffee Table]

http://www.elviscostello.com/news/5050-vision/394

“Cheap cut satin and bad perfume
Showtime is almost here”

41. King Horse

42. Love Field

43. The Long Honeymoon

44. In The Darkest Place

45. Motel Matches

46. Stranger In The House

47. Tramp The Dirt Down

48. Bedlam

49. Oliver's Army

50. The Scarlet Tide

[And No Coffee Table]

http://www.elviscostello.com/news/5050-vision/394

“An uncivil war divides the nation
So erase the tape on the final ape running down creation”

31. Sleep of The Just

32. Deep Dark Truthful Mirror

33. The River In Reverse

34. Stations Of The Cross

35. Watching The Detectives

36. Little Triggers

37. Shot With His Own Gun

38. Alison

39. Talking In The Dark

40. Watch Your Step

[Jack of All Parades]

I am enjoying the stronger appreciation of EC's polemical side by this list maker.

[Otis Westinghouse]

Well it's good to see the mighty SLeep of the Just included, if not a little higher, and the Stations of the Cross too, which is one of his best recent songs.

[docinwestchester]

Well it's good to see the mighty SLeep of the Just included, if not a little higher, and the Stations of the Cross too, which is one of his best recent songs.

Interesting that Dr. Watson, I Presume is 73 vs. Stations at 34.

I'd reverse that.

[migdd]

Well it's good to see the mighty SLeep of the Just included, if not a little higher, and the Stations of the Cross too, which is one of his best recent songs.

Interesting that Dr. Watson, I Presume is 73 vs. Stations at 34.

I'd reverse that.

As would I!

[verbal gymnastics]

I still think this is some kind of gag. Somebody is just shuffling their iPod and listing EC songs 10 at a time in reverse order.

[docinwestchester]

I still think this is some kind of gag. Somebody is just shuffling their iPod and listing EC songs 10 at a time in reverse order.

I thought that initially, but they are all high quality songs. The order may be random, but there are no clunkers that don't belong.

[And No Coffee Table]

http://www.elviscostello.com/news/5050-vision/394

“It's only money
It's only numbers
Maybe it is time to put aside these fictitious wonders”

21. Beyond Belief

22. I Want To Vanish

23. London's Brilliant Parade

24. My Three Sons

25. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes

26. All Grown Up

27. 45

28. Riot Act

29. All This Useless Beauty

30. Red Cotton

[Otis Westinghouse]

10 beauties! It's getting exciting.

[And No Coffee Table]

http://www.elviscostello.com/news/5050-vision/394

“And you think you're a guest, you're a tourist at best"

11. Man Out Of Time

12. My Dark Life

13. Ascension Day

14. Country Darkness

15. God Give Me Strength

16. Almost Blue

17. Indoor Fireworks

18. Fallen

19. New Lace Sleeves

20. When I Was Cruel No. 2

[Jack of All Parades]

Now that is a superlative next 'ten' list- whoever is compiling has a solid ear and eye-hard to quibble with any of these ten. This has me extremely looking forward to the final ten choices.

[docinwestchester]

The accompanying pictures in this series are pretty cool:

[Otis Westinghouse]

Yep, lovely 10, with some CK 'wrongs' righted in the form of the magnificent Country Darkness and My Dark Life (there's a theme there). Amazed to see Ascension Day so high, though, yes, fine song.



What's left for the top 10 though, with MOOT and NLS peaking early? Shipbuilding clearly, ain't studied it enough to see what else is missing...

Any takers?

[Jack of All Parades]

Well just a cursory scan has me postulating and anticipating "Jack of All Parades" and that dear boy "Jimmie" and a secret wish for "You Hung the Moon". Must confess I find this person's list most satisfying outside of one selection to date- "Red Cotton".

[And No Coffee Table]

Among the songs not listed yet (in chronological order):

(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea
Radio, Radio
High Fidelity
Shabby Doll
Shipbuilding
Everyday I Write The Book
Suit Of Lights
I Hope You're Happy Now
I Want You
Couldn't Call it Unexpected No. 4
The Birds Will Still Be Singing
Monkey To Man
Down Among The Wines And Spirits
Sulphur To Sugarcane
A Slow Drag With Josephine
Jimmie Standing In The Rain

Some of these I originally would have guessed to be somewhere in the top 100, but I can't see them making the top 10. (Elvis claims he hates "Everyday I Write The Book," after all.)

[migdd]

I could envision at least a few on your list making the Top Ten, ANCT.

Jimmie
I Want You
The Birds Will Still Be Singing

And there are several others on your list that one would assume would make the Top 100. It's all very hard to surmise what will make the final cut and why.

[bronxapostle]

Among the songs not listed yet (in chronological order):

(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea
Radio, Radio
High Fidelity
Shabby Doll
Shipbuilding
Everyday I Write The Book
Suit Of Lights
I Hope You're Happy Now
I Want You
Couldn't Call it Unexpected No. 4
The Birds Will Still Be Singing
Monkey To Man
Down Among The Wines And Spirits
Sulphur To Sugarcane
A Slow Drag With Josephine
Jimmie Standing In The Rain

Some of these I originally would have guessed to be somewhere in the top 100, but I can't see them making the top 10. (Elvis claims he hates "Everyday I Write The Book," after all.)

ANCT...pick another four please and join me here.

http://www.elviscostellofans.com/phpBB3 ... f=2&t=9815

EVERYONE ELSE TOO! let's have some fun before they get posted by EC. i think these 11-20 just landed today, right? so, i imagine we have a few days. please participate everyone. nothing like a game to keep us amused.

[Jack of All Parades]

Well the excitement has come to a near end with five more to go:

http://www.elviscostello.com/news/5050-vision/394

Excited by the choices of "In Another Room" and "Poison Moon"[odd ball]

[And No Coffee Table]

I guess we have to wait until next week for the top 5.


"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"

6. Poison Moon

7. Couldn't Call It Unexpected No.4

8. High Fidelity

9. I Want You

10. In Another Room

[migdd]