I'm gonna totally retro-geek out here, but 2:38 to 3:00 looks as if it were generated with a Tektronix 4010 graphics terminal, or in other words, some early CGI, totally in Mr. Morton & Ms. Jankel's form :). See watch?v=tpD1QXvtlcg for a comparison, the way the graphics are drawn look exactly like they do here, green flashiness and all, common quirks during drawing and erasing due to the 4010's "DVBST" storage CRT (no RAM used to store the graphics, the CRT's phosphor does such).
@MegaOsaro Ha-ha, that's awesome you pointed that out! When I was a kid and saw E.T in the theater, I didn't know that song, but later appreciated the scene in the film.
@bettyfelon1 I have to warn you, its a strange read. Dont think Costello will ever do an autobiography but the best biography by far is complicated shadows by Graeme Thomson, well worth a read
@bettyfelon1 Ha ha! Just don't expect your regular autobiographical detail. I'd like to say more but my dealings with the metaphysical have been few, enjoy
This is the very first music video I ever saw as a kid, and I think this was probably a turning point for me - it opened me up to a lot of the exciting stuff that was going on in music at the time (rather than exclusively looking to the past - i.e. Beatles, etc). Accidents Will Happen, you were my gateway to the wonderful things that happen just outside the mainstream.
Maybe one day youll discover the various apps that let you listen to any radio station in the world on your phone, or digital radio, or, y'know, making your own 90 casette tapes, but till then, good night, enjoy tonights radio output, its going to be awesome.
@fearofablackjanet Do all the radio stations that begin with the letter S change thir playlists from pop to dance, hip hop and experimental at night, or is it just BBC R1 and R6?
I know im late but you are spot on! Been an elvis fan for long time but only now realising how important the bass lines are on this. Whats he doing noe ( Bruce thomas) any iseas?
@MusicJustin15 I am nodding my head so vigorously in agreement with your statement that it hurts. My God, what an amazing bass player. I think I listen to the bass as closely as I do to the melody when I listen to rock and roll, and this dude's bass lines are among THE best.
I also didn't appreciate World's oldest College student, any more than World oldest Highschool student so you were releived of your schools, and brain matter.
This was the follow up to 'Oliver's Army' & should have sent Costello into the stratosphere. To this day, don't understand why it was only a minor hit. It's a pop masterpiece as is the video. Even in 1979 there were hordes of tasteless people. Probably the BeeGees or Olivia Newton John was No.1 at the time.Terrible.
I feel privileged to say that one of my biggest musical influences these days is Elvis Costello. I can't name a single musical peer, aside from my band-mates, who can say the same thing.
I WORKED FOR ELVIS AS HIS PR GUY-HE WAS AN AWESOME EMPLOYER! Let me let you in on a big secret: This song was a huge radio hit years before Costello actually invented Red Velvet Cupcakes. I think it's admirable that a man who can write and sing music like this can also bake a mean ass mutha cupcake.
This song has about a hundred more melodic and lyrical ideas than any 10 pop songs you will hear today. It actually requires a musical attention span.
@pretorious700 It's music made when music was still meaningful...something to be considered unto itself as opposed to now, when music is simply a background soundtrack for other activities...video games, texting, web surfing, etc.
@Solipsist23 No problem with the replies-Sounds like your dad has real good taste in music! Sorry you didn't like hearing the song. I didn't mean to insult you-most people LOVE the way this song starts-people who like Elvis Costello anyway...and yeah being a teenager is and has always been tough-but don't worry, you've got your whole life ahead of you-I can't tell you life still won't seem weird sometimes but you'll be able to deal with it a lot easier!
this was a time when music really was music and not some robot pop band like today. there are a few talented bands around but no where near as many as back then. sigh... I do miss those days
If you like this then you will SLove (super love) Robert Randolph! Check out Robert and his newest CD that came out just a couple weeks ago!! When Robert shreds on the pedal steel guitar, you can’t help but feel the music run through your body! Be sure to check him out at (his name) dot net. You will be able to get a free track when you visit him on his sight! WoOt WoOt!!
i was watching ET and there's one point where Mikey runs back into the house singing "There's so many people you can add to your collection" and as a joke i typed up the lyrics wondering what would come up, and here we are! haha! nice video!!
I Know I Know I Know I Know I Know I Know I Know I Know I Know I Know I Know I Know............. Great song with great haunting leftfield ending...........
Hey, this is what Michael was singing when he came home from school on the movie E.T. Except he added the words "nothing but hell sh*t" to it. Cool either way!
i've been listening to this for awhile, and i'm still amazed by the depth of the lyrical genious. let alone the musicianship. nihilistic in its view of human emotion and relationships. unique
Ahhh, the simplicity of brilliance. You can take all your hip-hop and divas and combine them and they wouldn't have 1/10 the coolness and genius of songs like this! Costello's first 4 or 5 albums are unstoppable and timeless!
It is that rare thing, where both the imagery and the music are equally original and innovative.
The animators knew when to stop 'animating' too, perfection and simplicity. The hand drawn video interference effect is pure genius and so beautiful in it's design and movement. I don't think is has been bettered for its cool originality in its graphic design.
I can remember watching this on the video monitors in clubs like Danceteria back then...It's not just a great (and ahead of it's time) video...but listening to the song really drives home a painfully sad and indisputable fact-the music being "created" these days SUCKS on a MASSIVE scale by comparison.
I don't blame the consumers of music as much as the record labels and "artists" they've chosen to promote in hopes of making a quick buck. Instead of having the patience to allow the performers to develop their craft to a high level, the labels look to cash in from an immediate and sensationally driven "success" that is doomed to dwindle away quickly from the loss of interest which inevitably occurs as fans soon become bored.
I agree, I think today's good music is being pushed underground. But I actually blame the consumers, as they are the ones who drive the contract choices by labels.
agree...it's as if the admen have taken Disney and Hustler, mixed them together for the ultimate erotic effect, and then put some product placement and teen boobs to sell it, and we have the all-inclusive, one-size-fits-all pabulum or kids listen to today. I just hate to think what it's going to be like when these kids are taking care of us in our old age.
@nycgman You are totally right. I remember when I borrowed the album "This Year's Model" from a friend back in 1978. From the first few notes I was hooked. I could not get over how good that record was as well as its successor "Armed Forces". To this day those records excite me the same way as they did back then. I have listened to them literally thousands of times and NEVER get tired of them. Nothing has come close ever since in my mind. Does anyone agree??
@nycgman Couldn't agree more, although there are some bright spots out there (Grizzly Bear, Janelle Monet, to name a couple). What happened to creativity and talent? My theory is the WalMart- ization of America. There are no regional differences anymore - every place is exactly the same as every other place. We've sold our souls to the corporations.
@nycgman Yes, the video is at least 5 years ahead of its time. (It's amusing remembering the original "Tron" and thinking "wow... THAT was astateof the art in 1982", compared to the remake of "Tron"...
@nycgman popular music isn't the only available music. there's hundreds of thousands of artists on independent labels, or even with no labels at all. it just takes a bit of googling to find them. i'll agree that popular music is terribad, but there's artists out there who actually do it for the art and they're great. when i think about all of my favorite bands from this era right now, i get excited, because, if this stuff is good, what'll be around in the future?
@nycgman Good point, but it's also painfully and indisputably relative. In the 80's everyone was talking about the 60's and how much better they were....in the 90's everyone was talking about the 70's being so great....today people talk about the 80's as some kind of golden age (even though no one would have said so back then). The past always looks better, but every era has good music to offer - it just depends on your taste, and whether or not your taste is 'in style' at the time.
@tarquinfarquhar "The quality of music waxes and wains over the decades"
Uh...that's exactly what I was trying to say. Feelings about music wax and wane all the time. There is good and bad music no matter what time period you go into. I'm already "used to it." I never said history was on a 'WHOLLY POSITIVE incline graph,' but I do think that musical quality is subjective. Just because YOU don't like a song, doesn't make it (or the decade when it was made) bad.
I do not recall people in the 90s remarking how great 70s music was - I was there throughout BOTH decades, unlike yourself.
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The past DOES NOT ALWAYS LOOK BETTER (try researching the history of classical music for proof or indeed assuage the concensus on the music of the 1950s contrasted with the music of the 1960s).
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The point I made appears to have eluded you - try reading and comprehending what I posted.
@tarquinfarquhar "I do not recall people in the 90s remarking how great 70s music was"
You must have been living in a different 90's than I was. You don't remember when flare jeans and bell-bottoms made a comeback in 97/98? And pop artists like Jamiroquai, Puff Daddy, Will Smith and Kylie Minogue who were scoring hits with the disco-throwback sound? Or the huge comeback of some guitar player from the 70's named CARLOS SANTANA? You honestly have no recollection of any of that?
@tarquinfarquhar And as for the matter of 50's music versus 60's music...it seems you are trying to imply that 1960's music is overall 'better' than 1950's music. And while I would personally agree with that...it does remind me of something. Who is this singer we have here? 'Elvis Costello?' You know, I seem to remember another gentleman with that same first name. A musician of the 1950's, if I'm not mistaken. An influential one, too. Does that ring a bell with you at all?
Elvis was a great performer and had a technically good voice (4.5 octave range) but look to his songwriters for the quality of the music he sang - not him.
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You don't seem to understand that OBJECTIVELY certain decades have produced MORE high quality music than others - you confuse your subjective bias [and historical naivety] with the reality that certain tunes are more pleasing [for the bulk of the population even when accommodating for age] than others and too that there are..
@nycgman Bollocks. There is plenty of GREAT music being made now and, believe me, the industry was pumping out loads of dross back in the day when this was first released. There's nothing new under the sun, certainly not the music industry.
This is one of the best music videos ever. The really amazing thing is that it was made before anyone really gave a damn about making good music videos.
Wow, '79! This is like five to ten years ahead of it's time. That style of animation reminds me of the squiggly animation seen in many 80s and early 90s music videos.
You could pretty much match this film clip up with any Elvis Costello tune that's around three minutes long. The images are completely arbitrary and have nothing to do with the lyrics. Hell, if it didn't include a few stylized glimpses of Elvis himself, you could easily use it as animated wallpaper for a three minute tune performed by anybody.
As amusing as this is (and as much as I agree that Idleracer's comment wasn't very interesting), "visually-illiterate" strikes me as the kind of nonsense sophistry that would have Orwell rolling in his grave. Also, it is quite possible to appreciate both Elvis Costello and Lady Gaga.
still an innovative and startling clip 30 years later. i love the image of california falling into the pacific right as the chorus comes around (oops! oh well, accidents will happen). y'see folks, special effects arent shite without GOOD IDEAS behind them.
One of my favorite songs ever. I read somewhere that Elvis hated this vid. How the hell could he have? This vid is awesome; cartoons are cartoons. This stands the test of time, imo.
This featured in the blockbuster movie ET when Elliot's brother, played by Robert MacNaughton, sang 2 lines of "Accidents Will Happen" under his breath. Costello was asked by Q magazine March 2008 if it paid handsomely. He replied: "No, I don't think they offered any money. We had no way of knowing it was going to be so huge so there was the chance we'd given it for nothing and they'd use it for some big production number. Haha! But you really have to paying attention to notice."
His song reminds me of an insurance commercial I keep seeing. "Accidents Will Happen" is their tag line. Should have talked to Elvis C. about a deal, Blondie sells Swifter! This is equally a cool song!!! Nice posting, Thanks!
I love this song. My dad listens to him all the time and, because i'm only 12, i grew up listening to Elvis costello. His music (especially green shirt) are like poetry; hard to figure out but beautiful.
If I ever need to get my apartment painted and they ask me for a colour sample, I'll just play them this video and say "This, please." And then I'll get the couch re-upholstered in Tom Waits, and set the air conditioner to Roy Orbison. Synesthesia! It's what's for brunchfast!
I've had this song stuck in my head for 3 weeks now...
...Has God blessed me?
TheBlueberrycutie 1 week ago in playlist Music Favorites
Song and video, absolute class each
ArthurNibble 1 week ago
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"482nd greatest album ever" - Rolling Stone
kolaidman67 2 weeks ago
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flaxonx3 2 weeks ago
@flaxonx3 No, he'd want to strangle the guy who locked him in.
Desmaad 1 week ago
@Desmaad You're right there, he'd probably have him killed. Cowell's not remotely interested in music so I've deleted that stupid comment.
flaxonx3 6 days ago
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flaxonx3 2 weeks ago
"Keeping a still tongue, and a wise head" doesn't mean you had a wise head to begin with.
BillyJimOMFG 1 month ago
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I'm gonna totally retro-geek out here, but 2:38 to 3:00 looks as if it were generated with a Tektronix 4010 graphics terminal, or in other words, some early CGI, totally in Mr. Morton & Ms. Jankel's form :). See watch?v=tpD1QXvtlcg for a comparison, the way the graphics are drawn look exactly like they do here, green flashiness and all, common quirks during drawing and erasing due to the 4010's "DVBST" storage CRT (no RAM used to store the graphics, the CRT's phosphor does such).
pvx 2 months ago
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pvx 2 months ago
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pvx 2 months ago
First saw this video at NYC's Danceterian a club on 39th street westside 1979
Lucianomarq 2 months ago
F'n brilliant tune. Costello at his absolute best! Listen to that tasty bass...and E's voice! Wow! There is no talent today like this, IMO.
robken0174 2 months ago
in some points sound similar with chord progression of David Bowie's song ,,Changes''
ColdOasisU2 3 months ago
I asked a kid at my high school if he was an Elvis Costello fan. He said "Yeah, I love 'Hound Dog!'" What has this world come to?
SokatoaStudios 4 months ago 14
@SokatoaStudios elvis costello isnt exactly our generation
FratDadySigEpThetaPi 2 months ago
always reminds of ET when michael gets home opens the fridge and starts singing so many people you can check up on and add to your collection.
MegaOsaro 4 months ago
@MegaOsaro Ha-ha, that's awesome you pointed that out! When I was a kid and saw E.T in the theater, I didn't know that song, but later appreciated the scene in the film.
robken0174 2 months ago
I have listened to song a few times in the past week and i just can't get the melody out of my head.
Paul70 4 months ago
Great bass player but have you read his book?
dogsbolls 5 months ago
@dogsbolls Where can you get a copy of Bruce's book? I haven't been able to find one.
bettyfelon1 4 months ago in playlist bettyfelon1's Favorited Videos
@bettyfelon1 I got mine from Amazon for a couple of quid, theres a couple on there now
dogsbolls 4 months ago
@dogsbolls Cool...just ordered one...thanks for the heads up! I wish EC would write a book.
bettyfelon1 4 months ago
@bettyfelon1 I have to warn you, its a strange read. Dont think Costello will ever do an autobiography but the best biography by far is complicated shadows by Graeme Thomson, well worth a read
dogsbolls 4 months ago
@dogsbolls Now you got my curiousity up...what do you mean by a strange read?
bettyfelon1 3 months ago
@bettyfelon1 Ha ha! Just don't expect your regular autobiographical detail. I'd like to say more but my dealings with the metaphysical have been few, enjoy
dogsbolls 3 months ago
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☆☆☆☆☆
PausaManzothaBEEF 5 months ago
This is the very first music video I ever saw as a kid, and I think this was probably a turning point for me - it opened me up to a lot of the exciting stuff that was going on in music at the time (rather than exclusively looking to the past - i.e. Beatles, etc). Accidents Will Happen, you were my gateway to the wonderful things that happen just outside the mainstream.
standishbear 5 months ago
less base would be a waste
simonegbreghts 5 months ago in playlist 70s
Thank you so much for uploading this. The audio quality is excellent. A joy to listen to!
karenhunter58 5 months ago
Beautiful Thanks, Elvis. And thank you for uploading.
nsimon100 6 months ago
On E.T., Michael is singing this when he gets home from football practice (right before he sees E.T. for the first time).
jacobbielarski 6 months ago
Genius animation
theonlyantony 6 months ago
Great song / clip, Thanks for Sharing, some songs are timeless, check out this track when you get time, Ambulance - Ophelia.
truthserum2000 7 months ago
@fearofablackjanet
Maybe one day youll discover the various apps that let you listen to any radio station in the world on your phone, or digital radio, or, y'know, making your own 90 casette tapes, but till then, good night, enjoy tonights radio output, its going to be awesome.
RandyLahey911 7 months ago
@fearofablackjanet You cant be helped. Still youve got all the radio stations whose names start with S to keep you company. What a retard.
RandyLahey911 7 months ago
@fearofablackjanet Do all the radio stations that begin with the letter S change thir playlists from pop to dance, hip hop and experimental at night, or is it just BBC R1 and R6?
You choad.
RandyLahey911 7 months ago
@fearofablackjanet listen to the radio at night dummy
if you hadnt figured that out yet you probably deserve autotuned shit
RandyLahey911 7 months ago
its a work of art, hand-drawn cell-animation, brilliant. stunning. i think elvis hated it, but what does he know.
PVFNowlan 7 months ago
A unique video. One of my all-time favorites.
ftsjr 7 months ago
ELVIS IS THE BEST,NO DOUBT,BEST SONG WRITER, BEST PHRASER OF SONGS,ETC....AND IF YOU DISAGREE YOU ARE JUST STUPID,HE PLAYS HIS WAY YOUR WAY ! THE END
auggdogrules 8 months ago
You are hearing one of the best bass players in music.
MusicJustin15 9 months ago 34
@MusicJustin15
I know im late but you are spot on! Been an elvis fan for long time but only now realising how important the bass lines are on this. Whats he doing noe ( Bruce thomas) any iseas?
barneybostin 5 months ago
@MusicJustin15 I am nodding my head so vigorously in agreement with your statement that it hurts. My God, what an amazing bass player. I think I listen to the bass as closely as I do to the melody when I listen to rock and roll, and this dude's bass lines are among THE best.
karenhunter58 5 months ago
I also didn't appreciate World's oldest College student, any more than World oldest Highschool student so you were releived of your schools, and brain matter.
CLEANUP AISLE 3.
The31415927 9 months ago
I want to KNOW. WTF was THAT? "Southhampton" flanked by two Germans?
Right..here's your answer... Bournemouth identity..
BANG BANG BANG
The31415927 9 months ago
That's the way it is. Keep Ray Tracing.....and Good luck.
(I think the keyword was QUICKER than a Ray of light... LOL)
The31415927 9 months ago
Leave him under the desk listening to his "duck!"s...
The31415927 9 months ago
can you change the discrition to say "360p" rather than "high quality"?
sugarface88 9 months ago
Timeless art, this.
crapple009 9 months ago
The best music video, animated or otherwise.
onwebcameron 10 months ago
love it
thelittlebombardier 10 months ago
This was the follow up to 'Oliver's Army' & should have sent Costello into the stratosphere. To this day, don't understand why it was only a minor hit. It's a pop masterpiece as is the video. Even in 1979 there were hordes of tasteless people. Probably the BeeGees or Olivia Newton John was No.1 at the time.Terrible.
flaxonx3 11 months ago
2:39 youtube background ??
dfterror 11 months ago
@dfterror Well Spotted. Astute observation!
BledZeppelin 7 months ago
that trippie one watch?v=YNoh3Xi8pvs
ambernknml 11 months ago
can somebody PLEASE upload "the imposter"?..oh,this is great too,thanks for this!
jedhell101 1 year ago
I feel privileged to say that one of my biggest musical influences these days is Elvis Costello. I can't name a single musical peer, aside from my band-mates, who can say the same thing.
Elvis, oh Elvis, oh how we love you.
LoserDogBand 1 year ago
It took me years to discover that the sleeve for the single was printed inside out... but of course, accidents will happen
irresistablejewel 1 year ago
I love Elvis Costello, his music and lyrics are the best -- bought every vinyl.
Too bad more songs from the Get Happy album aren't posted.
Nick Lowe is right up there too!
artfulgeorgie 1 year ago
@artfulgeorgie this song is from "Armed Forces"....or were you just making a general statement about the lack of songs from Get Happy?
Jacob360RAW 1 year ago
@Jacob360RAW it was just a general comment, mon frere.
artfulgeorgie 1 year ago
I WORKED FOR ELVIS AS HIS PR GUY-HE WAS AN AWESOME EMPLOYER! Let me let you in on a big secret: This song was a huge radio hit years before Costello actually invented Red Velvet Cupcakes. I think it's admirable that a man who can write and sing music like this can also bake a mean ass mutha cupcake.
MikeInVentura 1 year ago 2
It came out in 1979, but it sounds like it could have been made in the mid/late 80's. That is how musically and melodic that it is...pure genius.
shamguit 1 year ago
@shamguit *musically intricate and melodic*
shamguit 1 year ago
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I truly agree with nycgman,I work in a casino and listen to the latest music all day.I'm disappointed,or getting old!
gascobb 1 year ago
I truly agree with nycgman,I work in acasino and listen to the latest music all day.I'm disappointed,or getting old!
gascobb 1 year ago
ABSOLUTE CLASSIC!!!!!
wayneleon1000 1 year ago
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xxdonaldqxx 1 year ago
Oh my God..Golden Oldies? Hand me me hand gun..time to check out. i thought the Golden Oldies were from the 60's...ha ha ha, BLAM!
hyperdiabolical 1 year ago 2
I love this song and video.
AsianMen4Me 1 year ago 2
This song has about a hundred more melodic and lyrical ideas than any 10 pop songs you will hear today. It actually requires a musical attention span.
pretorious700 1 year ago 23
@pretorious700 you are so right mate !
tokaicarl 1 year ago
@pretorious700 It's music made when music was still meaningful...something to be considered unto itself as opposed to now, when music is simply a background soundtrack for other activities...video games, texting, web surfing, etc.
nycgman 1 year ago
@Solipsist23 No problem with the replies-Sounds like your dad has real good taste in music! Sorry you didn't like hearing the song. I didn't mean to insult you-most people LOVE the way this song starts-people who like Elvis Costello anyway...and yeah being a teenager is and has always been tough-but don't worry, you've got your whole life ahead of you-I can't tell you life still won't seem weird sometimes but you'll be able to deal with it a lot easier!
nycgman 1 year ago
@Solipsist23
? Are you being sarcastic?...
nycgman 1 year ago
Good song,never was a fan,but I respect the man.
nema1218 1 year ago
Great song.
Great artist.
Don't care for the video one iota.
jacquieblues 1 year ago
no i think he hated it cos its shit video
17Mandz 1 year ago
this was a time when music really was music and not some robot pop band like today. there are a few talented bands around but no where near as many as back then. sigh... I do miss those days
SonicJCG 1 year ago
If you like this then you will SLove (super love) Robert Randolph! Check out Robert and his newest CD that came out just a couple weeks ago!! When Robert shreds on the pedal steel guitar, you can’t help but feel the music run through your body! Be sure to check him out at (his name) dot net. You will be able to get a free track when you visit him on his sight! WoOt WoOt!!
musiclover360table 1 year ago
i was watching ET and there's one point where Mikey runs back into the house singing "There's so many people you can add to your collection" and as a joke i typed up the lyrics wondering what would come up, and here we are! haha! nice video!!
mAcroFaze 1 year ago
I Know I Know I Know I Know I Know I Know I Know I Know I Know I Know I Know I Know............. Great song with great haunting leftfield ending...........
BoycottStabb 1 year ago
This dude is a legend in his own right... but i do declare him and Stewie sounds so much alike!!
larryluvewf 1 year ago
Hey, this is what Michael was singing when he came home from school on the movie E.T. Except he added the words "nothing but hell sh*t" to it. Cool either way!
zoolzool1 1 year ago 2
Junior High...
absdilsey 1 year ago
very cool music and animation, love it
louloupicklepuss 1 year ago
Very cool
louloupicklepuss 1 year ago
We are only hit and run....
TheArtbango 1 year ago
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kevhead66 1 year ago
Someone really needs to make a fan video with clips from E. T.
memphiselle 1 year ago
i've been listening to this for awhile, and i'm still amazed by the depth of the lyrical genious. let alone the musicianship. nihilistic in its view of human emotion and relationships. unique
portwoodjeff 1 year ago
truly amazing music
portwoodjeff 1 year ago
Class! ;-j
ELGROOVER 1 year ago
Ahhh, the simplicity of brilliance. You can take all your hip-hop and divas and combine them and they wouldn't have 1/10 the coolness and genius of songs like this! Costello's first 4 or 5 albums are unstoppable and timeless!
robken0174 1 year ago 2
who did this video? bazooka?
sjofarthotellet4 1 year ago
Funny, this song came out in 1979, but I didn't see the video or heard this song until 1986. WTF?
charlieelperro 1 year ago
Brilliant song! Love Elvis Costello!
strixq 1 year ago
Great bass line
SaulTiberiusNads 1 year ago 3
It is that rare thing, where both the imagery and the music are equally original and innovative.
The animators knew when to stop 'animating' too, perfection and simplicity. The hand drawn video interference effect is pure genius and so beautiful in it's design and movement. I don't think is has been bettered for its cool originality in its graphic design.
2DD 1 year ago
Great song - 5 stars. I love "Green Shirt" hence my username, but can't find good sound quality
greenshirt1000 1 year ago
one of two superb songs that should only end as they do when sung live...the other one being "man in the mirror" by jacko.
tammas2000 1 year ago
Oh Man DO I REMEMBER THIS ELVIS WASSS KINNGG !!!!!!! In Ft Lauderdale Fl Very EARLY 80's So Nostalgic I am for this..
muttilo 1 year ago
THE KING of pop ! ;)
NAIVADA 2 years ago
I can remember watching this on the video monitors in clubs like Danceteria back then...It's not just a great (and ahead of it's time) video...but listening to the song really drives home a painfully sad and indisputable fact-the music being "created" these days SUCKS on a MASSIVE scale by comparison.
nycgman 2 years ago 40
Amen. A new generation of sheeple thinks the spawing ground of good music is american idol and other such self proclaimed "starseachers".
tchwiss 2 years ago 5
I don't blame the consumers of music as much as the record labels and "artists" they've chosen to promote in hopes of making a quick buck. Instead of having the patience to allow the performers to develop their craft to a high level, the labels look to cash in from an immediate and sensationally driven "success" that is doomed to dwindle away quickly from the loss of interest which inevitably occurs as fans soon become bored.
nycgman 2 years ago 34
@nycgman
I agree, I think today's good music is being pushed underground. But I actually blame the consumers, as they are the ones who drive the contract choices by labels.
ybrik222 1 year ago
agree...it's as if the admen have taken Disney and Hustler, mixed them together for the ultimate erotic effect, and then put some product placement and teen boobs to sell it, and we have the all-inclusive, one-size-fits-all pabulum or kids listen to today. I just hate to think what it's going to be like when these kids are taking care of us in our old age.
billideaux 2 years ago
@nycgman You are totally right. I remember when I borrowed the album "This Year's Model" from a friend back in 1978. From the first few notes I was hooked. I could not get over how good that record was as well as its successor "Armed Forces". To this day those records excite me the same way as they did back then. I have listened to them literally thousands of times and NEVER get tired of them. Nothing has come close ever since in my mind. Does anyone agree??
MrGeorgios2020 1 year ago 3
@nycgman Couldn't agree more, although there are some bright spots out there (Grizzly Bear, Janelle Monet, to name a couple). What happened to creativity and talent? My theory is the WalMart- ization of America. There are no regional differences anymore - every place is exactly the same as every other place. We've sold our souls to the corporations.
77hodag 1 year ago
@nycgman Ahhhh Danceteria . . LOVED it!!
breezyvibe 1 year ago
@nycgman
I'm sick of people complaining that today's music isn't as good as yesteryear's.
ybrik222 1 year ago
@nycgman I concur. It has to come full circle after hip hop n music whoring sex vids; doesnt it?
SuzeyTrump 1 year ago
@nycgman I concur. It has to come full circle after hip hop n music whoring sex vids; doesnt it? suzeytrump@aol.com
SuzeyTrump 1 year ago
@nycgman Yes, the video is at least 5 years ahead of its time. (It's amusing remembering the original "Tron" and thinking "wow... THAT was astateof the art in 1982", compared to the remake of "Tron"...
shmuli9 1 year ago
@nycgman
you're entitled to your opinion about modern music, but in doing so, you're missing out on a ton.
mjudesmusic 11 months ago
@nycgman popular music isn't the only available music. there's hundreds of thousands of artists on independent labels, or even with no labels at all. it just takes a bit of googling to find them. i'll agree that popular music is terribad, but there's artists out there who actually do it for the art and they're great. when i think about all of my favorite bands from this era right now, i get excited, because, if this stuff is good, what'll be around in the future?
Nietzschesaurus 11 months ago
@nycgman Good point, but it's also painfully and indisputably relative. In the 80's everyone was talking about the 60's and how much better they were....in the 90's everyone was talking about the 70's being so great....today people talk about the 80's as some kind of golden age (even though no one would have said so back then). The past always looks better, but every era has good music to offer - it just depends on your taste, and whether or not your taste is 'in style' at the time.
mangarda 10 months ago
@mangarda
INCORRECT.
History has shown itself NOT to be a WHOLLY POSITIVE incline graph!
.
The quality of music waxes and wains over the decades - GET USED TO IT!
tarquinfarquhar 10 months ago
@tarquinfarquhar "The quality of music waxes and wains over the decades"
Uh...that's exactly what I was trying to say. Feelings about music wax and wane all the time. There is good and bad music no matter what time period you go into. I'm already "used to it." I never said history was on a 'WHOLLY POSITIVE incline graph,' but I do think that musical quality is subjective. Just because YOU don't like a song, doesn't make it (or the decade when it was made) bad.
And don't 'YELL AT ME.'
mangarda 10 months ago
@mangarda
I do not recall people in the 90s remarking how great 70s music was - I was there throughout BOTH decades, unlike yourself.
.
The past DOES NOT ALWAYS LOOK BETTER (try researching the history of classical music for proof or indeed assuage the concensus on the music of the 1950s contrasted with the music of the 1960s).
.
The point I made appears to have eluded you - try reading and comprehending what I posted.
tarquinfarquhar 10 months ago
@tarquinfarquhar "I do not recall people in the 90s remarking how great 70s music was"
You must have been living in a different 90's than I was. You don't remember when flare jeans and bell-bottoms made a comeback in 97/98? And pop artists like Jamiroquai, Puff Daddy, Will Smith and Kylie Minogue who were scoring hits with the disco-throwback sound? Or the huge comeback of some guitar player from the 70's named CARLOS SANTANA? You honestly have no recollection of any of that?
mangarda 10 months ago
@tarquinfarquhar And as for the matter of 50's music versus 60's music...it seems you are trying to imply that 1960's music is overall 'better' than 1950's music. And while I would personally agree with that...it does remind me of something. Who is this singer we have here? 'Elvis Costello?' You know, I seem to remember another gentleman with that same first name. A musician of the 1950's, if I'm not mistaken. An influential one, too. Does that ring a bell with you at all?
mangarda 10 months ago
@mangarda
Elvis was a great performer and had a technically good voice (4.5 octave range) but look to his songwriters for the quality of the music he sang - not him.
.
You don't seem to understand that OBJECTIVELY certain decades have produced MORE high quality music than others - you confuse your subjective bias [and historical naivety] with the reality that certain tunes are more pleasing [for the bulk of the population even when accommodating for age] than others and too that there are..
tarquinfarquhar 9 months ago
@mangarda
concentrations [or indeed the reverse - 'black holes' if you will] of such high quality music on a decade by decade basis.
.
I am not here to teach you music psychology or indeed statistics, however please THINK before you post.
tarquinfarquhar 9 months ago
@tarquinfarquhar I'm sorry...doesn't Costello write 99 percent of the songs he performs?
bettyfelon1 5 months ago
@nycgman Bollocks. There is plenty of GREAT music being made now and, believe me, the industry was pumping out loads of dross back in the day when this was first released. There's nothing new under the sun, certainly not the music industry.
MrMikeyBikey 7 months ago
Pure Pop at it's best!!!!
krazynite 2 years ago
This is one of the best music videos ever. The really amazing thing is that it was made before anyone really gave a damn about making good music videos.
agnamaracs 2 years ago 4
one of the best rockers ever...
leondenis00 2 years ago
Wow, '79! This is like five to ten years ahead of it's time. That style of animation reminds me of the squiggly animation seen in many 80s and early 90s music videos.
JohnnySwitchblade 2 years ago
this is the song micheal sings in e.t.,i never knew it went like this
biker7389 2 years ago
michael jackson?
meeshmi526 2 years ago
No he was an accident that happened!
nicknameSGB 2 years ago
omg no he wasnt. that is not nice at all.
meeshmi526 2 years ago
What do you mean?
nicknameSGB 2 years ago
did u say mj was an accident that happen
meeshmi526 2 years ago
Michael is the brother in ET: The Extra Terrestrial, and in one scene he is singing this. Not Michael Jackson.
JohnnySwitchblade 2 years ago
ohhhhh thank you so much!
meeshmi526 2 years ago
In E.T I always thought he was singing " add to your collection"
nipplebag 1 year ago
at 1:40 the lyrics do say " add to your collection"
leatherkiltman 1 year ago
does anyone else think Lenny Kravitz listened to Elvis and the A's before recording...?
KillerFloss17 2 years ago
good call...
ajdunning63 2 years ago
You could pretty much match this film clip up with any Elvis Costello tune that's around three minutes long. The images are completely arbitrary and have nothing to do with the lyrics. Hell, if it didn't include a few stylized glimpses of Elvis himself, you could easily use it as animated wallpaper for a three minute tune performed by anybody.
IDLERACER 2 years ago
How do you work that out?? Apart from the `stylized glimpses` of Elvis (and the band) most of the images in the video depict various....accidents.
Maybe if the'd just had the lyrics scrolling across the screen and the old bouncy ball it would of made things easier for you.
MOSTechnology 2 years ago 2
"by anybody" meaning your favourite chanteuse du jour Lady CaCa by any chance you visually-illiterate blower of pants' sausages?
ootahee 2 years ago
As amusing as this is (and as much as I agree that Idleracer's comment wasn't very interesting), "visually-illiterate" strikes me as the kind of nonsense sophistry that would have Orwell rolling in his grave. Also, it is quite possible to appreciate both Elvis Costello and Lady Gaga.
SirSupercat 2 years ago
You're just being deaf to colors, dude.
ootahee 2 years ago
Great post . TA!
JohnEpi1973 2 years ago
still an innovative and startling clip 30 years later. i love the image of california falling into the pacific right as the chorus comes around (oops! oh well, accidents will happen). y'see folks, special effects arent shite without GOOD IDEAS behind them.
tbzeee 2 years ago 4
this is what elliots brother was singing after school in ET.
pippigladstone 2 years ago
I heard many years back that Elvis costello hated this video for his song
lndac02 2 years ago
HATED high school, loved this album.
DougM63 2 years ago
great up load...elvis is alive and well!
bettyswollex 2 years ago
This is MUSICALLY divine, in addition to the timeless vocals. I live from 2:15 to the end in my mind.
youngbozo438 2 years ago 2
Agreed. 2.15 onwards is timeless and brill
bithot2nite 2 years ago
I think this is my favorite Elvis Costello tune
salemslot9 2 years ago 2
I love the overly technical analysis of accidents in this video... perhaps this is a precursor to the works of Chris Ware?
agnamaracs 2 years ago
his best
southsieed 2 years ago
The ending is the same as Joe Jacksons 'It's different for girls' song.
bithot2nite 2 years ago
One of my favorite songs ever. I read somewhere that Elvis hated this vid. How the hell could he have? This vid is awesome; cartoons are cartoons. This stands the test of time, imo.
foxxyloxx 2 years ago 3
i love this song too... i heard it while watching an episode of Cold Case lol
Lozie82 2 years ago
This featured in the blockbuster movie ET when Elliot's brother, played by Robert MacNaughton, sang 2 lines of "Accidents Will Happen" under his breath. Costello was asked by Q magazine March 2008 if it paid handsomely. He replied: "No, I don't think they offered any money. We had no way of knowing it was going to be so huge so there was the chance we'd given it for nothing and they'd use it for some big production number. Haha! But you really have to paying attention to notice."
slagmilkcard 2 years ago
thanks loads for the great posting of one of the best songs EVER long live elvis, what a guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
phoebkatz 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
this song fucking blows. elvis costello is possibly the worst musician ever born. such a fuckin douche
natetheheel 2 years ago
wanker
southsieed 2 years ago
this is the greatest song in the whole world!!
razzachick09 2 years ago 2
Looked up the lyrics. WAY better than what I thought! Great posting. Thanks!
davidvollmar 2 years ago
His song reminds me of an insurance commercial I keep seeing. "Accidents Will Happen" is their tag line. Should have talked to Elvis C. about a deal, Blondie sells Swifter! This is equally a cool song!!! Nice posting, Thanks!
davidvollmar 2 years ago
I do not think that Warners own this catalogue anymore thank god.
martley1 2 years ago
What a great song, cant believe Warner Music Group havnt blocked this yet lets hope they dont find thanks for posting..
MikesDanceVids 2 years ago
I love this song. My dad listens to him all the time and, because i'm only 12, i grew up listening to Elvis costello. His music (especially green shirt) are like poetry; hard to figure out but beautiful.
taylorswiftrox59 2 years ago 3
If I ever need to get my apartment painted and they ask me for a colour sample, I'll just play them this video and say "This, please." And then I'll get the couch re-upholstered in Tom Waits, and set the air conditioner to Roy Orbison. Synesthesia! It's what's for brunchfast!
pointerxtoxin 2 years ago 8
c'mon :) tweak it to a higher resolution. Gettin there. :)
TonyTuthill 2 years ago
When videos were art, and so was music.
What happened?
Thanks for posting this.
stooge81 2 years ago 3
The ending of this song (from 2:14 on) sticks in your head and you want to hear it over and over again. Nice job, Elvis!
bradyclaire 2 years ago
Great song, and one of his best from back then. Wish I had caught on to this guy earlier than I did.
Teflon65 2 years ago