Elvis Costello and Beastie Boys- Radio, Radio

[Fatruffuss]

For those unaware, here is the significance of this performance as it relates to SNL & Costello's prior 'RADIO, RADIO' performance. FULL VIDEO, which Lorin says will never air again. Go to rathausartprojects and search for Music Archive: Elvis Costello’s SNL Performance of “Radio Radio” from 1977

[MrTomservo85]

Are you crazy, you can't play that on live tv!!!

[hyperlexic2]

is ad-rock actually playing guitar / keys?

[mrbe5a1r]

Not bad, but no band can back Elvis C. quite like the Attractions!

[ChrisYonts]

This was so cool when they did this. I saw the Attractions on SNL too when I was 12. It was so badass!

[Cublnik1]

4 x legends!

[mneuckkah]

MCA dont give a fuck

[fanboy16ful]

Didn't you notice that Ad-Rock and Mike D are the only two Beastie Boys who look enthusiastic while playing, and MCA's the only one who doesn't look more lively.

[linengray]

Forget the King. Elvis is the true king!

[talisbriedis]

does NOT compare to the first time....posed...

[Datelesswonders]

Incredible!

[dufortrph]

I just calculated the odds of this much coolness being on the same stage in the future: 1:887989877887454545351.

[Kredstarr]

Anyone know where I can find the'77 version? I would dearly like to see that.

[sunilthegreat]

@Kredstarrmy favorite is the one live from Detroit '78. Very good quality considering the era.

[afilteredview]

@Kredstarr I have it but I get an error message when trying to link it

[afilteredview]

I messaged you it

[brianbeev]

fantastic!

[divadina2069]

FUCK THIS WAS SUCH A GREAT TV MOMENT THAT I FORGOT ABOUT! THANKS FOR THE POST!!!!!!!

[hulsey1976]

Holy SHIT! I'm a little giddy at this....wow!

[75BUNNIES]

HOLY MOLY MY CHEST JUST EXPLODED WITH AWESOMENESS

[stellablue5997]

Is there anyone Elvis hasn't played with? I love it!

[darthtortugas]

@stellablue5997 elvis has not played with elvis

[underacheiver95]

hahaha Elvis Costello is such a bad ass stealing the beastie boys show like that gotta love the man

[hoganiswrestling]

@underacheiver95 i believe this a tribute to his 1977 performance where he started the song "less than zero" then stopped it suddenly and performed "radio radio"...much like the beasties started sabotage and was stopped to play "radio radio"

[JoshSites]

MCA needs a new cable for his bass. He's dropping out a lot. Brilliant performance though!

[Steve8518]

What greatness have i stumbled upon?

[CDeezntz]

Wow! My ears are shooting semen because of this great hook up of musical pioneers...

[Deathinflames666]

What year was this? I love it!



[rickrussell]

@Deathinflames666 Reputedly the 25th anniversary show, Sept, 1999

[SuperPepper64]

This is Awesome

[haerodinamiko]

Look at Adam...going mental anyone? Like he never did ah? (-:D These guys are simply i m m e n s e !!

[sugartums]

Come on y'all it's time to get nice!

[vonDUSI]

WOW !

[kurosawa99999]

re ' I have the '77 episode of SNL with Elvis Costello and the Attractions, but cannot post it :) ] Why not?

[drjones087]

@mcdstuff

Not that I didn't like the performance, but Radio, Radio is hardly a controversial song now, or when he performed it with the beatsies.

[FastJimmyC]

WOW... Very good.

[MangoSalsa]

13 people wouldn't know good music if Justin Bieber licked their taints while whistling "Nessun Dorma."

[Sami7685]

Great musicians flock together.

[sohipimhop]

who the HELL disliked this? GET BENT!

[Fire84190]

This is fantastic. 1. Beastie Boys play their own instruments. 2. Costello rocks everyone's faces off. 3. Beasties give credit to rock gods.

[drjones087]

@Fire84190

Beastie Boys used to be a punk act, so yeah they can play instraments.

[drjones087]

@Fire84190

Beastie Boys used to be a punk act, so yeah they can play instruments.

[fanzappa]

costello's banning from snl is snl's loss. anyway, there are many hours of tasty costello video extant for us to view. i saw the '77 show and was thrilled then, and all the times seen since then. he is the orig."angry young man".

[HobgoblinHero]

Requesting a torrent of that '77 Episode, s'il vous plait

[TheMookyMookster]

BEST COMBO!!

[Blackbanshee]

my dad saw this when it aired (lol when my parents were dating) and apparently costello  had the idea to change the song and the director of the show was so pissed at him that he never invited costello back to SNL which is AWESOME cause elvis totally kicks ass but very unfortunate cause i pretty much grew up listing to costello and wish he showed up on SNL again

[fanzappa]

@Blackbanshee this is not the orig.of elvis changing the song. that happened in 1977. this is a homage to that.

[Blackbanshee]

Costello is the man! ^^

[ktrfeb23]

I saw this the day it aired and it was the day I became a Beastie Boys fan.Really great. Thanks for posting this.

[Fukyoureviews]

I'm sixteen and I love the beastie boys and Elvis costello, especially the song "I want you", and this video is amazing

[2leftarms]

I am a newly developed fetus, and I have been listening to Costello for as long as I can remember, which is about one minute. I wish so-called "artists" from my generation played with half as much heart as he does. Instead, they write vapid pop songs about money and fame and placenta.

[MrBlehwhatevs]

@2leftarms There are PLENTY of people today that play with heart and have songs with different themes. And besides, it's not like they didn't exist then, too. Stop it with your bullshit and go find some good music if you don't like what's popular.

[MouthingWords]

@2leftarms Dayum!

[acarouselofantics]

@2leftarms I so agree with what you wrote! I mean I do listen to some stuff from today but I can appreciate what you've written!!

[patriciamatos85]

@2leftarms EC also has songs about money and fame. The difference is that he takes pop music to another level.

[irockbry]

lol its so easy to be top comment. Say your age, why you like older music. and bam. Top comments.. its the same for all of this

[MsDoug777]

Maravilhoso !!!

[pbrlimit]

You guys under 20 who are into this music are making me happy. I'm 30 and even as early as 1997 when I was only 17 I had a feeling the best of music was behind us. There just isn't the passion in music that was around prior to, say, 1995.

[theoriginaljeffro]

SOMEBODY PLEASE POST A HIGHER QUALITY VERSION OF THIS!!!

[SCSU12EE]

@theoriginaljeffro Every body thumb this up NOW.

[theoriginaljeffro]

@SCSU12EE what?

[SCSU12EE]

@theoriginaljeffro On Youtube, "liking" something is done by clicking the button with the upward pointing thumb. The purpose of doing this is to show support for the item in question (the comment being replied to, in this case). The purpose of my comment was to draw additional attention to your comment, which would hopefully convince others to like it as well. If enough people like it, then the comment will appear at the top of the comments section, and even more people will see it.

[theoriginaljeffro]

@SCSU12EE Yeah I got ya now... I just couldn't tell if you meant what I said or the video itself. There's gotta be a higher-res version available.

[keithX72]

Too good! Could be tighter but the boys where keeping it up by the end there. SABOTAGE! Didn't Costello pull the same thing on his first appearance? Was supposed to play his latest hit but switched to "Radio, Radio" and was told he'd never play SNL again. The original SABOTAGE!!

[MrJasonmatteson]

Elvis Costello with the Beastie Boys. Nice!

[raymonkeyshovel]

@MouthingWords.... we are all richer if we love music and allow the past to influence. I'm sort of Costello's generation but love stuff form the 30s and 40s too..... and equally like anything new that comes along.

And thinking like that is what makes music relevant to all generations - as opposed to the stuff that Costello rails about in this every song.

....'Gallows for Mr. Cowell'!!!!

[rdeclan]

@gaucoin13. You're funny. You take a flippant comment as something serious and then start calling people schmucks. Go hit the gym for another session of snatches and try an get it all out of your system.

[bebopalola]

What a find! Thanks to the lovely person who put this up!

[TheDylanDynamite]

I came here for beastie and I was not disappointed

[johnnymoto77]

fantastic

[HELL5ON]

I had the 25th anniversary on VHS when I was a teenager. Thought I would never see this again. Thank you you tube!

[bo12hughes]

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! A RARE TREAT FOR A "BEASTIE/COSTELLO" FAN. Takes me back to the night Costello did this on SNL thirtysome years ago with his own band. This time I was twice as suprised!

[marc08110]

MORE RAPPER/MC'S NEED TO PICK UP INSTRUMENTS & PROVE THEY CAN PLAY......I'M 41 & THE BOYS ARE THE ONLY GROUP THAT I STILL LISTEN TOO.....HOT SAUCE COMMITEE PT.2 COMMING SOON

[Fakename70]

@marc08110

I half-understand your argument/complaint regarding the "rappers". But, really, do you think they're at all concerned about whether or not the rock and/or "punk" (or whatever the label is these days) sees them as legitimate artists? Should they be? And, if the Beasties are the only "rap group" you'll listen to primarily because they instruments, then, you really don't have a clue as to what's going on besides them anyway. They're not the only ones out there doing it, you know?

[MouthingWords]

@Fakename70 I know I'm sort of butting in, but rap is a very legitimate genre. "Rappers" like Lil Wayne have besmirched an important and intelligent part of American culture. Rap is not really about the music, but more about the lyricism (and, neatly, that is one of the reasons I love Elvis Costello so much). If you listen to the lyrics of rap that hasn't lost its focus in objectifying women and getting money, I think you'll find some fascinating commentary.

That's all I have on the subject. :)

[Fakename70]

@MouthingWords

I think you've mistakenly lumped me in with the "rap is crap" crowd. I've been with it since '79, courtesy of my "Rappers Delight" 12". "Rappers" like Lil Wayne I'm familiar with, but, I couldn't name any of his tunes if asked. I'd rather listen to Fresh 3 MC's. Showing my age with that one fans of "rap" either don't remember or never heard of. And, let's not pretend it's only rap and hip hop with unfocused lyrics that objectify women and promote mindless bragging and boasting.

[MouthingWords]

@Fakename70 I apologize, I misunderstood.

[gaucoin13]

@rdeclan They're rappers first, schmuck.

[SmokMaahPowle]

@gaucoin13

actually, originally punk muscisians

[rdeclan]

@gaucoin13 Gee, Geoff, thanks so much for your input. The Beasties made the transition from being purely rappers to MUSICIANS way back when in 1991. Do try and pay attention.

[gaucoin13]

@rdeclan Holy snot-nosed answer. PUNK musicians at that, and were purely punk way back; don't think they were trying to re-create 1979 Elvis when they played this song.

[rdeclan]

Too bad Bruce Thomas was there to rescue the so-called Beastie bassist.

[JayduncRocknRoll]

"hold on, Beastie Boys, I'm real happy for ya, and Imma let you finish but, Elvis Costello is one of the greatest song writers of all time!"

Elvis Costello + Beastie Boys= WINNING

[rotoscl]

The Attractions? The Imposters?

No thanks, I want Elvis Costello and the Beastie Boys.

[GBcamposNwL]

ur8 m8

[einXtein]

Gotta love them Beasties, and Mr. Costello is awesome as always.

[Lifesblood1]

Why wasn't he aloud to play the song?

[MartinXNewton]

@Lifesblood1 this song totally bitches out radio and the music industry in general for more or less dumbing down music and pushing "pop" music. NBC & Columbia said don't play the song. Costello was a rebel and played it and now its hard as fuck to find the live footage cause they don't let ppl post it. In a nutshell FUCK NBC

[richardjduke]

@MartinXNewton and yet NBC allowed him to mock it here in the anniversary show. And whenever they show clips of the history of SNL, it's always on there.

[ollieroks]

@Lifesblood1 only elvis can answer the ?

[samshinraymon]

shut up or get cut~ awesome!

[robinism100]

that was killer.

[torballs]

I remember being so pissed when I first saw this and elvis costello interupted sabotage. But now I realized just how cool this was.

[packymayonaise]

Awesome!!

It sounds like MCA's amp was cutting out, hence his frustrated looks.

[jickfoo]

When a band like the Beasties Boys honor true talent like Elvis it just adds to their credibility. Killer song, with one of the best lyrics in rock history " I was seriously thinking of hiding the receiver when the, switch broke 'cause it's old ." Awesome ! Here's hoping MCA is better soon. Much love to all.

[flaxonx3]

Elvis in the late 70s was a perfect example of what punk could have been if people had really got what it was about, he was like the Bob Dylan of punk between 77 & 79, following his own path almost disconnected from the 'scene'. Probably people now would barely connect him to punk because it eventually became the domain of formulaic snarling shouting idiots when it was really about bold individuality & creativity. At least in theory.

[kurtizzyflush]

@flaxonx3 I agree whole heartredly. To use an over-used term, the "zeitgeist" of punk went directly past most people. I was 20 in 1977 and 'round about 1980 I was thinking "who are these people that have hi-jacked punk?" Of course it was really the music biz reptiles that hi-jacked it more than the kids that wanted to play music.

[cheesecake134]

Haha, they were playing "Sabotage". Heh, I get it.

Love this.

[Ibber]

@cheesecake134 Sabotaging Sabotage isn't the only thing funny about this performance. Elvis Costello was banned from SNL for performing this song the previous time he appeared on the show. He's only one of three people to have a SNL ban lifted.

[cheesecake134]

@Ibber

I'm well aware.

[Meatballhead07]

Everything in this video is concentrated awesomeness.

[greenlyest]

Mouthingwords....if your really just 17, then there is hope. Glad you appreciate what a lot of kids your age have missed.

[greenlyest]

Beasties are great!!

Elvis Costello is great!!!

Beyond Belief - my favorite Costello song

He writes the best lyrics......so do the Beastie's..

[erikinhawaii]

Back when SNL and music was good...rip

[MrLuiscpg]

Hahah....can I know the reason why you can't post the Costello and the Attractions episode? I read somewhere that he got banned from the show but...what did he even do?

[Ibber]

@MrLuiscpg Well... to make a long story short... the only difference between this performance, and EC's original performance, besides The Attractions, was he started out playing Less Than Zero. It should also be noted that Radio, Radio was unreleased the first time he performed it on SNL. I shouldn't have to tell you that Radio, Radio criticizes mainstream broadcasting, and not just television. Original performance found on Saturday Night Live: 25 Years of Musical Performances, Vol. 1.

[PoffyTheCucumber]

It's a great gag on Elvis's past indiscretions "... no reason to do this song here" - but I'm sure elvis must be missing The Attractions on this one - The Beastie Boys are dragging and sluggish - drummer's fault, he can't keep up the blistering pace.

[horowizard]

@PoffyTheCucumber It's a funny bit at the beginning but the Beasties are no substitute for The Attractions. Realizing how stinky a backup band they truly are, Elvis Costello really starts to look worried up there, especially at the point where they start to slow down. They just don't have the stuff it takes to keep up and put a song like this over.

[Brightred11]

This is why Youtube is great... I may never have witnessed brain melting awesomeness of this video if this place didn't exist. What a song, what an an artist and the BBs are one hell of a backing band.

[scarecrowlegion]

Between this and The Smith's Panic speaks the most about today's music

[gothamjediknight]

Elvis should do this every week

[salazarich]

thumbs up, the computer is messed up my choice.

[LunaSeaSane]

It's alright.

[Rallisport]

Who were the 11 plebians who hated this?!?!?

[bluebear1985]

About that episode where he did "Radio, Radio" when he wasn't supposed to, the Sex Pistols were originally scheduled to be the musical guest that night, but they couldn't get visas to enter the US in time, so his band performed in their place.

[MouthingWords]

I'm 17, so I don't really have as much "cred" as someone who was around when Elvis Costello got big, so maybe I shouldn't be saying anything. But honestly, if every artist (especially today) were as lyrical and passionate and musical and witty and satirical and intelligent as Mr. Costello... well, I'd listen to the radio.

[OxTheWriter]

@MouthingWords,

You have cred if you're thinking that intelligently about music at 17.

[tfknouff]

@MouthingWords One of the best comments I've ever read on utoob !

[DrivenBlues]

@MouthingWords I started listening to Costello when I was 14 (two years ago) and it changed my perception of songwriting. I was so inspired by him I named my guitar "Alison" after his hit song. I am glad to see there are other affectionados of real music still around. Cheers!

[GimbalLocker]

@MouthingWords Well stated.

[RubHerSoul1]

@MouthingWords You're wise beyond your years, my son. I was like that too at your age. Welcome to the genius club.

[scottcrainey]

@MouthingWords You are wise beyond your years. I grew up on the man's music... truly a poetic genius.

[dfriedman7]

@MouthingWords I wish more 17 year olds knew about his music. Your already ahead of the game.

[moshman]

@MouthingWords well said, im impressed that some one from your generation can actually appreciate music from pop culture that helps shape the future for all music to come. however your right on the money today current stale sound. we are just about to shape a new music era soon though i can feel it.

[MouthingWords]

@moshman I agree with you. I have a feeling that good music is coming back. Bands like Mumford and Sons comfort me; they're some of the best popular music I've heard in a while. Smart, too. I like my music intelligent, and there are a lot of intelligent artists on the rise right now.

[RDBeatnik]

@MouthingWords There's some good radio stations out there. I really only listen to two: NPR and this station that plays mostly indie stuff.

[madcapromanian]

@MouthingWords When costello did his thing, everyone had to put in something new and creative on the radio to get noticed as artists. Now everyone you hear sounds the same...the corporations dictate what that is. ...no soul!

[ilikeanimals555]

@MouthingWords I'm 16 and i couldn't agree more with you.

[QueryMeThis]

@MouthingWords Dude...if you're really seventeen, and saying something that intelligent, well...this 32 year old is feelin' it, and you have mad "indie cred" (if that's still a term, lol).

[legolas11795]

@MouthingWords ---- Wise beyond your years,you are

[markd325]

@MouthingWords One of the best comments I have ever read.

[Hindasound]

@MouthingWords Ditch your disclaimer. You're smart and you can clearly articulate your own passion. Never mind that I happen to agree with you ;)

[InsertDeepLyrics]

Fuckin LOVE the way Ad Rock is playing the keys!

[kidscotch39]

@InsertDeepLyrics you could tell he's so happy to be playing with Elvis

[gullreefclub]

Two F'king groups that have Rocked it out their way for years and never gave a Tinkers Dam if they stepped on a few toes They heard the words Frankie said and did it their way.

[RollingOrmond]

Sorry, some gutless punk stalker trailing me around. Just ignore him.

[smartestguyeverborn]

@RollingOrmond more lies you gay bitch

[freespeech4u2]

as much as I love radio, radio, I was kinda disappointed that I didn't get to hear sabotage

[davethecaveman]

kickass tune,docile audience

wake n bake complete...we have assumed control...we have assumed control...we have assumed control!

[jeremymtc]

11 people have no appreciation for awesomeness.

[thedigitalcollective]

great vid!!! HAHAHAHA

[themooddisorders]

This is so EPIC! Elvis Costello with the Beasties. Elvis Costello is awesome

[22abbysdaddy]

Mca looks bored, i dont think beasties are havin problems playin the song, they are one of the most talented groups of all time, they do it all! Lucky Elvis if you ask me!!!

[fstop77]

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!

[flyingchicken101]

It takes some balls to do that.

[predlycon]

kevin spacey with shades

[Malzarin]

This is the coolest thing I have seen on SNL from a musical guest! Here's to Beasties and Elvis!

[StLennyBruce]

Elvis Costello has done everything with everybody! (except me, of course.)

[cosmosbound]

fuckin rad.

[Sean1086]

THAT was cool!!!!

[mohawk1020]

anyone else think Elvis looks like Blinkin from Robin Hood: Men In Tights?

[lunaticdrums]

@mohawk1020  HAHAHAHAHA!!!! Thank you

[lunaticdrums]

@mohawk1020  HAHAHAHAHA!!!!

[Hypatia4242]

I think this is awesome, but only Ad Rock looks like he's having fun.

[bigqfan]

@Hypatia4242

cuz the other two are shitting themselves trying to play their parts. The Thomas boys were one of the greatest rythym sections ever

[Rallisport]

SNL are idiots for banning Elvis for playing this song. THIS is why Colbert is soooo much better.

[sensationaldenny]

This was really awesome! Elvis and The Beasties! Legendary!

[walkonking]

Nice. I remember when!

[BabylonAGoGo]

Go Elvis!

[harry2bells]

piss and crapital take fucking note.

[PontiusPilots2]

try  rathausartprojectsDotcom for SNL version search elvis costello

[pacificnorthwester]

if you listen to elvis nowadays, like on his show Spectacle, he dismisses this musical period of his career as crap.

[AvirtualSwitzerland]

@pacificnorthwester ....That's only because he thinks it's politically correct in order to make his bluegrass babe Allison Krause happy (Another respectable dude caves in to the power of pussy)

[AvirtualSwitzerland]

@AvirtualSwitzerland ....I meant the Jazz nymph Dianne Krall

[SEDGIS]

Check your facts, he made the county album, Almost Blue, back in 1981. Krauss was only 10 years old. Regardless, if you're gonna cave, Diana Krall and Alison Krauss ain't a bad way to go...

[AvirtualSwitzerland]

@SEDGIS ......your point is?

[muesproductions]

post the 77 performance on Dailymotion

[angman420]

Only Lorne Micheals would sell out something that he regrets.

[lapsus5]

the Beasties are so cool.

[AngieEnz84]

Haha! That was awesome.