I love this song. Check a cover version in a bar from two dudes who are trying to focus on the song while a wino is showing his appreciation a bit too much. Just type The Subway Cowboys The bottle let me down...
Go listen to Waylon or Gram Parson's version, then listen to this. Elvis is a poseur and absolutely inauthentic. I cringed when I saw him in the Stax documentary. This guy is the absolute opposite of soul.
@drummer083 You are most likely somebody who think's the local band that plays at the bowling alley every weekend is great. He isn't trying to be Waylon or any other country music artist. He is being Elvis playing a genre of music he really enjoys. And by the way. He was asked to play at this concert. It looks like poeple that matter have a much higher opinion of Mr. McManus.
I read the lyrics first and it sounds like a somber song but i pressed play and find it's a country-western type of thing. God Bless this man and his songwriting.
@TheBalloonHoax I don't know whether you are aware of it, but while Mr. Costello is indeed a magical songwriter himself, this particular song was written by Merle Haggard.
As a Costello fan and a Haggard fan I must say that despite his all-consuming faith in himself, Elvis can't pull this stuff off. If somebody did this in karaoke, they'd be jumped.
The problem that most people have with country is irrelevent to the bigger picture of country but more focused on the thinly disguised pop music of todays Nashville style.
And Elvis Costello rocks at everything he rocks. (Double entendre`)
Elvis is great. I think you need to pick up a copy of Almost Blue (album). Guaranteed that A Good Year For the Roses, or Crazy will convince you that Elvis has great range in his singing. Almost Blue is very underrated!
He can put on whatever hat he likes, but the strangulated pop singing is what you get. Whatever; pop music is all about marketing, and Spike is nothing if not savvy.
whatever you say i always loved the various interpretations of merles great songs.. ranging from dean martin to the greadful dead or the beach boys... and now this. merle is just such a great song writer, his songs even work as a total transition into another genre.
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I love this song. Check a cover version in a bar from two dudes who are trying to focus on the song while a wino is showing his appreciation a bit too much. Just type The Subway Cowboys The bottle let me down...
JCatBallou 3 months ago
Go listen to Waylon or Gram Parson's version, then listen to this. Elvis is a poseur and absolutely inauthentic. I cringed when I saw him in the Stax documentary. This guy is the absolute opposite of soul.
drummer083 4 months ago
@drummer083 You are most likely somebody who think's the local band that plays at the bowling alley every weekend is great. He isn't trying to be Waylon or any other country music artist. He is being Elvis playing a genre of music he really enjoys. And by the way. He was asked to play at this concert. It looks like poeple that matter have a much higher opinion of Mr. McManus.
beddy2112 3 months ago
That's a great cover played by an awesome artist with wonderful people playing alongside him. The tops, really.
talory 4 months ago
Horrible reading of this song. Elvis should stick to his pop punk stuff. When he tries country or soul, he fails miserably. Absolutely soulless.
drummer083 7 months ago
@drummer083 Are you trolling? I don't appreciate you trolling. If you don't have something positive to say, then take your bad attitude elsewhere.
talory 4 months ago
Elvis chooses his songs so well.
tunstead88 11 months ago
I read the lyrics first and it sounds like a somber song but i pressed play and find it's a country-western type of thing. God Bless this man and his songwriting.
TheBalloonHoax 1 year ago
@TheBalloonHoax I don't know whether you are aware of it, but while Mr. Costello is indeed a magical songwriter himself, this particular song was written by Merle Haggard.
benmeltzer 1 year ago
@benmeltzer im guessing this was on almost blue. I keep confusing songs.
TheBalloonHoax 1 year ago
@TheBalloonHoax Yes you're right -- on Almost Blue.
benmeltzer 1 year ago
@benmeltzer absolutely correct.... Love both versions .... and true to life has happened with both renditions
justawaiterminute 10 months ago
Sing it McManus, sing it.
ArchangelBoab 1 year ago
As a Costello fan and a Haggard fan I must say that despite his all-consuming faith in himself, Elvis can't pull this stuff off. If somebody did this in karaoke, they'd be jumped.
rvollin1935 1 year ago
Steve Nieve sounds like he's been playing in Nashville for about 30 years.
Exilemainstreet 1 year ago
WAYLON JENNINGS did the best version of this song...period
DEERSLAYER216 1 year ago
Shit, this asshole wrecked Haggards great song....
goffbum 2 years ago
This was when EC had the mumps..
mrgb46 2 years ago
I'm very happy Elvis Costello moved to the US and Madonna went to England....good trade.
FairwayJack 2 years ago 22
Ha! Nice one!
holeypants74 2 years ago
ha ha ha ha i agree!
laslos3 2 years ago
@FairwayJack Right on....get rid of that old bitch and now we have a real rocker!!!! right on!
ctmale1956 1 year ago
This is a fine tribute..of EC's love for Merle Haggard and of country music...very cool...!
cbkspa 2 years ago
The Mavericks with Raul Malo do this infinitely better. Costello is better sticking to ballads. His voice is rather nasal.
Jigaboo123456 2 years ago
There are few pianists who can top Mr. Steve Naive!
smautomat 3 years ago 8
woooooooohooooooo! YES!!!
icatchawave 3 years ago
The problem that most people have with country is irrelevent to the bigger picture of country but more focused on the thinly disguised pop music of todays Nashville style.
And Elvis Costello rocks at everything he rocks. (Double entendre`)
cryingsoftly 3 years ago
Lpstd1 Thanks for posting this! Used to have an audio copy on cassette but lost it. Very happy to find the videos you've posted.
kevincboyer 4 years ago
OMG...talk about rare!
Declan50 4 years ago 2
Elvis is great. I think you need to pick up a copy of Almost Blue (album). Guaranteed that A Good Year For the Roses, or Crazy will convince you that Elvis has great range in his singing. Almost Blue is very underrated!
wpollock1 4 years ago
He can put on whatever hat he likes, but the strangulated pop singing is what you get. Whatever; pop music is all about marketing, and Spike is nothing if not savvy.
marlowman 4 years ago
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No thanks, Elvis Costello is way overrated! This is an especially bad example of mediocre musicianship!
networkconsulting 4 years ago
whatever you say i always loved the various interpretations of merles great songs.. ranging from dean martin to the greadful dead or the beach boys... and now this. merle is just such a great song writer, his songs even work as a total transition into another genre.
pepiporn 4 years ago
this sux
tennuns 4 years ago
look at the mavericks version!! they rock
ModernHeresay 4 years ago
Country or no country, EC is just a great musician who loves and does great music! I can't get enough of him.
peacepalestine 4 years ago
LikeRain, enter "Merle Haggard The Bottle Let Me Down" to see the song done by the master ;). It's a country song; this here isn't country.
marlowman 4 years ago