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Elvis Costello reflects on his favorite songs and artists, including Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Georgie Fame, Frank Sinatra, and Bill Murray. He discusses how these musicians shaped his writing and reveals the songs and experiences he dislikes, including Pink Floyd, karaoke, and parties.
‘I can’t listen to Pink Floyd - I find their music dreary’: Elvis Costello’s honest playlist The singer-songwriter owes a lot to Georgie Fame and likes the romantic side of Jimi Hendrix – but which ringtone song can put him in a bad mood?
The Wind Cries Mary by Jimi Hendrix, which came out in 1967 when I was 12. Hendrix was known for outgoing music, but I was a romantic soul, so the emotional side of his music led to that strain in my own writing. Karaoke? Certainly not.
I do this for a living. Would you have made my great-grandfather dig ditches for fun? I prefer to live vicariously through Bill Murray singing Peace, Love and Understanding in Lost in Translation. ’Cross the Green Mountain by Bob Dylan is a bit hidden away, but in the very top tier of his songwriting.
It’s full of images from the American civil war: conflict, overwhelming love, officers being shot, mothers receiving terrible news. It’s poignant and involving. I saved my pocket money to buy the Fame at Last EP by Georgie Fame from Potter’s Music Shop in Richmond.
He introduced me to Gerry Goffin and Carole King, Louis Jordan, Ray Charles, Big Joe Turner, Mose Allison, Willie Dixon and Lambert, Hendricks & Ross – which was a lot of education for an 11-year-old who didn’t play an instrument. Anything by Pink Floyd. Never could, never will. I find their music dreary.
I love the imagination and playfulness of See Emily Play, but after Syd Barrett left they just never appealed to me. I’ve written a few songs that I secretly hate, but I can’t think of anything I secretly like apart from Milkshake by Kelis – and I don’t think that’s a secret. I haven’t been to a party since I was 15.
Then it would have been Double Barrel by Dave & Ansel Collins. My mother claimed I’d request I’ve Got You Under My Skin by Frank Sinatra before I could form sentences. I can still visualise the record player we had in our basement flat near Olympia, which had a red eye on the front and looked a bit like a robot. Armagideon Time by the Clash.
I found having Good Morning from Singin’ in the Rain as my ringtone put me in a bad mood. My Aim Is True is out now.
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