Ten Favorite Rock Songwriters: Elvis Costello (#8)

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It's time for another one of those great, great songwriters that keep my head spinning with their brilliance in the world of rock and roll. (Yes, I'm still at lunch...service is fine, but I eat slowly. ) Here's the next person on the list. #8: Elvis Costello All people who are surprised by this, raise your hands. Didn't think so. Coming out of the "punk" era, Elvis Costello quickly proved himself much, much more than just "punk." Oh, sure, he had that promo photo where he stood, shaking his fist. But hey, this guy recorded a Loretta Lynn song....and, unlike other acts who did country songs, he did it straight. His albums are loaded with lines that almost sound like a Rodney Dangerfield stand-up show ("I said, 'I'm so happy I could die,' she said, 'drop dead,' then left with another guy" still remains one of my all-time favorite lines, not just from him). He gives us philosophy ("Welcome to the Working Week"'s chorus of "I know it don't thrill you, I hope it don't kill you") and isn't exactly afraid of ruffling feathers (his use of the "N word" in "Oliver's Army" [of course, since he's British, that's not exactly the same thing as some Arkansas redneck saying it] or his slap at John Lennon's "Imagine" in "The Other Side of Summer"). He's written with people as diverse as Allen Toussaint and Paul McCartney. He's brilliant. He's sarcastic. He's funny. And he's married to Diana Krall!! Elvis Costello Born Declan Patrick MacManus, August 25, 1954, Paddington, London, England Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - 2003 Best-known songs: "Veronica," "Every Day I Write the Book," "Alison" (covered by Linda Ronstadt), "Radio, Radio." Spoiler alert: if I count down my favorite Costello songs, here's the #1 song on the list: