For today’s slow drag, I’d like to start by venturing to an outside source of words to linger over since I recently came across a quick Twitter exchange that both augments the wit and introduces today’s slow drag “superbly.”
I recently came across a tweet from just some guy, I don’t know who he is. And I quote: “So @ElvisCostello, the same man who asked fans not to buy a retrospective box set because the label were gouging on price, has tickets for his new tour priced over 100 pounds. Can’t have it both ways Elvis lad.” As I said, I have no idea who this person is. But I can imagine his surprise when: Either written by, or at least sanctioned by Mr. Costello, his verified Twitter feed replied: “don’t call me “Lad,” Sunshine. Don’t pretend it’s a term of endearment. That’s “Mister” to you. This is what it costs. If you don’t want it, don’t come. The choice is yours, as always. E.C. & and Imposters.” I love Twitter and was looking forward to maybe reading a “who you calling sunshine” insta-troll type reply, but no. Like a “sheep to the slaughter. Oh, this must be love” moment: The person replied, “Appreciate the reply, certainly wasn’t expected. I’m just curious as to what necessitates a blahdie blah increase blahdie blah blahdie blah.” Granted, anger as an emotion is a terrible feeling. Idle aggression for our amusement is another story altogether. Taking down naysayers in 280 characters or fewer is so satisfying. That unfortunate tweeter must feel like a hero and an idiot all at the same time. “Guess you tweeted at me today?” he’ll say, “guess who said I could go see his show if I wanted.” My admiration for Elvis Costello is well established. Quick glimpses like these serve to remind me that I have chosen my heroes well. The voice. Staggering. The music. Amazing. But it’s always been about the words for me. In particular, the poetry of the lyrics themselves. This podcast has no lofty ambition; it’s a simple appreciation of the peerless poet and modern day master, Mr. Elvis Costello. Yes, I did say mister. Today’s slow drag is with “No Hiding Place,” from “Momofuku,” released in 2008. The songwriting is credited to Mr. Elvis Costello. “Momofuku,” translates to “lucky peach,” and is said to be inspired by a new take on “instant noodles” at the lower east side restaurant opened in 2004 by David Chang. “No Hiding Place” is a wonderful rant that encapsulates a collective fatigue with the world, as well as proffering nearly stream of conscious observations that cut to the heart of the matter. In the not very distant future When everything will be free There won't be any cute secrets Let alone any novelty The word “cute” seems to confound this peek into the world as we’ve come to know. Cute secrets. This Conjures and layers in an echo of “don’t get cute,” from “Watching the Detectives” maybe? A quick flash of credentials, a reminder of how this person knows of what he speaks. You can say anything you want to In your fetching cloak of anonymity Are you feeling out of breath now? In your desperate pursuit of infamy Anonymity. What was once called a telephone tough guy is now called a troll and is now represented by the tweeter getting an unexpected response to a complaint about ticket prices. “A desperate pursuit of infamy?” Here’s where EC shows his work: Two lovers rocking up and down In an elevator 15 minutes later They'll make a killing in the market They know how to work it On that close circuit Podcasters and YouTubers seem to be the new “leaked” porn tape. The only thing better than a meltdown or mishap, in my opinion, is the realization that the person this happens to is usually the one who shares the video. An early and always favorite of mine is the girl giving a hair tutorial that goes wrong. Alone in an Elevator: why yes, there have been a few adjusted bras and leggings while I thought no one was looking. Don’t get me wrong, I still do it; only now I’m fully aware someone might be looking. Go on, fill yer boots, I say. I get the sense that the “two lovers rocking up and down” have as much shame as I have. How proud you are You got the knack Of howling in a vacuum Whatever I said about you I didn't say it behind your back Momofuku was released the same year podcast technology was devised and a year before YouTube was created, yet “howling in a vacuum” is exactly how we could describe both forms of media. As I’ve mentioned, this is an appreciation, not an explanation, and I don’t want to get personal. That said, the next verse suggests a frustration, perhaps, with an inability to let the ancient past stay in the ancient past. I paid for my immortal sins I know the enemy within you As it seems these days There is no hiding place A slight and mincing of words, but the sentiment of those who enjoy rattling his cage is clear: Next time someone wants to hurt you Or set alight your effigy Don’t call on me to help you out Don’t come crying to me for sympathy And if that isn’t clear enough: I'll be handing somebody matches And carrying a can of kerosene If you can dish it out, then you must be able to take it. But this is the line of song, line of the day for the unfortunate twitter perhaps: Walk up to me And say what you said Let's see how brave you are When I'm about this far You sit in judgment and bitch Well, baby that’s rich You’re nothing but a snitch Who other than Elvis Costello make a threat sound so rational, so matter of fact? Elvis Costello, shutting down trolls since the invention of trolls. The unmasked vitriol in the words are too farcical to sustain, so it’s all brought back down to Earth after saying his peace. My, my, it's a terrible disgrace You'll find these days that there's No Hiding Place Break it up. There’s nothing to see here. In a much more immediate way, “Ho Hiding Place” is similar to 1989’s “Satellite,” from “Spike,” when Elvis Costello successfully predicted the future of remote and online love affairs. All over the world at the very same time People sharing the same cheap sensation the Thrill of watching somebody watching those Forbidden things we never mention These lines were written before 1989 and, in an eloquent way, pretty much, nailed the state of the world 30 years later. Having keen powers of observations is impressive, but having keen powers of what the world will be like in the future brings both admiration and respect. Dig it: Again, this has been a slow drag through “No Hiding Place” from the frenetic, infectious 2008 “Momofuku.” It’s a look into the state of the social media laced world and takes a few jabs at droning detractors as it passes by. It seems effortless to say your peace and then let it go with a charming: “My, my. What a terrible disgrace.” My warmest thanks to Dylan (@mrdpa on Twitter) for lending his voice, while he was on holiday, no less. Thank you, my friend. You can hear Dylan on Boston’s 107 Endeavour FM “The Breakfast Show,” weekday mornings from 7 to 10. Please check the show notes for more information about Dylan. EndeavorFM website: http://www.endeavourfm.co.uk/# Dylan’s Twitter: @mrdpa Thank you so very much for finding this appreciation of Elvis Costello’s poetry, and for listening all the way to the end. This truly is a passion project that I am thrilled to share with you. I’ve really enjoyed this, and hope you have too. Please check the show notes for links to the actual song, as well as links to references made in this episode. There is also the companion blog with other references for your convenience. If you like this, please subscribe and share. Get in contact with comments, suggestions, or stories of your own. I’d love to hear them. So, until next time, Adieu, my little ballyhoo.
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Appreciation written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Robinson, MA/MFA Twitter: https://twitter.com/slowdragremedy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slow_drag_with_remedy/ Email: [email protected] Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag ---------------------- Elvis Costello Wiki: http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php/No_Hiding_Place Burning hair off video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdVuSvZOqXM Thank you, Dylan Taylor for the stellar voice work: EndeavourFM website: http://www.endeavourfm.co.uk/# Dylan’s Twitter: @mrdpa Please say hello. “Big Sister’s Clothes”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3wPnwq5Ww8 Momofuku name and restaurant history: https://momofuku.com/our-company/team/ Comments are closed.
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AboutSlow Drag with Remedy is an Elvis Costello podcast appreciation. It's an exploration of linguistics, language, poetry, and clever wordplay as framed by the peerless poetry of the modern-day master, Elvis Costello. Slow Drag by Song
Poor Napoleon Alibi Church Underground The Big Light Georgie and Her Rival Joe Porterhouse No Hiding Place 20% Amnesia All This Useless Beauty Let Him Dangle King of Thieves Damnation's Cellar Stripping Paper Pidgin English Riot Act Bedlam The Quickening Art Luxembourg Chemistry Class Living in Paradise My Mood Swings Waiting for the End of the World Little Atoms Two Little Hitlers Crimes of Paris You Tripped at Every Step Needle Time Men Called Uncle Peace in Our Time The Loved Ones I Almost Had a Weakness Our Little Angel Invasion Hit Parade Turpentine Miracle Man A Voice in the Dark The Greatest Thing Satellite Hand in Hand Clubland Tart Glitter Gulch Stations of the Cross Science Fiction Twin Possession This Sad Burlesque Flutter and Wow Soul for Hire After the Fall Blue Chair Monkey to Man Mouth Almighty Watch Your Step ...This Town... Distorted Angel Worthless Thing No Dancing Miss Macbeth Charm School Poor Fractured Atlas Brilliant Mistake My Little Blue Window Suspect My Tears Coal Train Robberies Fish 'n' Chip Papers I Hope You're Happy Now Man Out of Time 13 Steps Lead Down Go Away Sweet Pear The Name of This Thing is Not Love Jimmie Standing in the Rain The Deportees Club The Birds Will Still Be Singing Starting to Come to Me Pay It Back Five Small Words Pretty Words Radio Silence Human Hands Night Rally I'll Wear It Proudly Motel Matches Drum and Bone Harpies Bizarre Nothing Clings Like Ivy Why Won't Heaven Help Me Next Time 'Round The River in Reverse A Room with No Number Clown Strike The Invisible Man My Most Beautiful Mistake All the Rage The Town Where Time Stood Still Episode of Blonde e of Blonde No Flag A Slow Drag with Josephine That Bridge I Burned Sour Milk Cow Blues You Little Fool Spooky Girlfriend Suit of Lights There's a Story in Your Voice Dishonor The Stars The Other Side of Summer Mischievous Ghost They're Not Laughing at Me Now White Knuckles Honey, Are You Straight or Are You Blind? Black and White World The World and His Wife
God's Comic The First to Leave Green Shirt The Man You Love to Hate Lip Service American Gangster Time Blame It on Cain The Spell That You Cast Lipstick Vogue The Difference Stella Hurt Tears before Bedtime |