Everyday I Write the Book - Ron Sexsmith & Elvis Costello

[Boomertomma]

Not Arrogant... just a little teasing between friends.. 

[buddyguyization]

Anyone find the part where Costello says "oh, you opened for me, it wasn't the other way around?" just a bit arrogant?

[RIDEMID]

What an amazing performance. I want to write a book now

[kkraft80]

anyone know a dvd version of these "spectacle"?

[ksburns1]

How could Elvis ever fall outta love with this song? This is one of the most beautiful songs he has penned. This rendition is a testament to that. Ron sounds nice but only Elvis can deliver the goods. He has one of the most unique voices and lyrics of all time!

[lillyandruben]

prefer Ron singing it than Costello

[SamanthaFoxyLady]

ONE of my favorite '80s songs - Elvis is still in the building

[pedro19611969]

Elvis what kind of accent is that .. you sound like a mid atlantic twat and I know your not because your a genius , but keep it real mate

[czmiller]

Wow, want an MP3 of this. I love it.

[4tun1]

I know why Elvis Costello is a superstar. But why the HELL isn't Ron Sexsmith one?? He is amazing! I only discovered him last year, and I wish I had sooner.

[buddyguyization]

Great version. Trying to learn it on guitar - can anyone help me out with the chords?

[peskypossum58]

Saw Ron Sexsmith play this song at The Basement, Sydney many years ago and loved it. It's a great song, one that reminds me of Smokey Robinson's Tracks of My Tears.

[Butternut121]

Fab!

[SOFONETTO]

GREAT!



[beantownwindsorite]

please don't take offense, but i believe your comment typifies what's wrong with music. this isn't the blue man group, it's music in one of its purest forms. stage presence should be last thing anyone should want from a musician. when it comes to music, all i care about is how it sounds and the quality of emotion and though it invokes. in other words, i don't care what the cake looks like, as long as it tastes good.

[Imptheshrimp]

@beantownwindsorite That's a good sentiment, but as musician myself, I'm not sure I can completely agree. I absolutely believe that there is a certain energy in stage presence, and this can critically change a performance. There is always some form of presence in a live performance, even if the artist isn't necessarily moving. For instance, there is a massive observable presence almost emanating off of all of these musicians. However, presence isn't nearly as important as musical quality.

[TVstrummer]

amazing remake!

[mdouris]

I so want to like RS. Unfortunately, he can't count stage presence among his many talents.

[logotrix]

@mdouris

Actually, I saw him live a few years ago - and I was anticipating the same thing - but it was really amazing - he has real presence, and like every great talent (not that I've seen too many in smallish venues) - the room seemed to get smaller and smaller until it was just him singing - it was incredible.

[72damien]

Beautiful. Bravo!

[Goesgila]

Amazing,i like!!!

[thenewmexican64]

What a waste of time. I seen EC do this on the PTC tour. EC's very is a gazillion times better. Not this coffee house folk version. Maybe if I I was sitting around smoking ganja, and doing my gardening.

You have got to be kidding.

[dirkbogarde44]

@thenewmexican64 You must be deaf.

[xJeremy]

@dirkbogarde44 i know right, and costello sings 3/4 of the song lol...derp

[songsofadarsh]

Great song

[Imptheshrimp]

I didn't like the original version the first time I heard it, but I came to like it a little bit more over time. However, when I heard this version it completely blew me away. This is such an amazing rendition and, in my opinion, the best version.

[Yehudittx]

Is that Neko Case?

[Imptheshrimp]

@Yehudittx Yup

[navim49]

Thanks for posting. This is great. I love the music of both artists so this is a real treat. We've not had these 'Spectacles' in England yet.

[hohaia01]

He's a great song writer. I love "Almost blue" also

[kstrehlo]

I keep coming back to listen to this great rebirth of "Write the Book." I have this episode of Spectacle on my TiVO too, queued up to this.

[TheCurtisdavies]

I'm a 19 year old kid but this song brings a tear to my eye i love it almost as much as the original, i didnt even know about elvis' talents before this but i sure do now... and to think i only liked the song orginally after hearing it on "the wedding singer"! fantastic

[RDBeatnik]

Weird Al Yankovic should write a parody of this song called Everyday I Ride the Bus.

[200mad]

@RDBeatnik He already did a bus related parody with "Another One Rides The Bus" (Queen's "Another One Bites The Dust").

[TaylorTayMusic]

@RDBeatnik Weird Al has done a 'style parody' of Elvis Costello back in the day - not an exact parody of a song but attempting to match Elvis's style. It's called "I'm So Sick of You", and it sounds an awful lot like Pump It Up and Radio Radio. Good song.

[pedro19611969]

love elvis fantastic writer singer etc, but whats with the american accent mate

[Dabbers1959]

@pedro19611969

Just what I was thinking. Mind you he's done it his whole career (as has Elton John). Goes back I reckon to the 20s/30s British musicians in thrall to early jazz, then updated with the British blues boom of the 50s/60s, next stop 60s pop and then bingo, 1970s along comes Elvis. What must Americans think of this? Just plain daft and cringeingly embarrassing or knowing participation in a valid cultural idiom?

[Mary1964ism]

Nitemoovs. Just reread your post. Sorry are you suggesting he has a gimmick? What is it?

[Mary1964ism]

Hey Nitemoovs. Won't even waste words on you. You've proved your the clown by saying he doesn't have any gimmicks. I thought it was supposed to be about talent. Don't tell me,your a disgruntled singer songwriter. What a joke!

[Debsdayful]

Only just discovered Ron - wow!



[porridgeable]

nitemoovs you are mistaken on so many levels. ron is superb, we can agree on that and that alone.

can anyone tell me which t.v show this is from ?

[wynbnt1]

@porridgeable Spectacle

'Elvis with' on Sundance channel. . Do not know where to get MP3 He has a great show. His Wife, Bruce Spring, Elton, and so many great talents have been on. What a show.

[sarahhunt05]

does anyone know where i could get an mp3 of this?

[nitemoovs]

Sorry clowns I know something about music and I know about fakers and bullshitters too. Elvis is a caricurature of a pop artist with no talent and a gimmick. He should have let Ron Sexsmith sing the song and stayed the fuck out of it. All he succeded in doing was ruining it.

BTW he didn't get tired of the song and the phony fuck acts all coy about how he forgot all about the song. How could he its his only hit!! He's embarrassed by it now because its a teeny bopper tune. Ron makes it legit.

[skepticat1]

Beautiful.

[Mary1964ism]

Nitemoovs, you are the hack. You obviously know nothing about music and or talent. Not being a fan of Elvis Costello is fine but not recognizing the true talent of this musician and superb songwriter is full of ignorance. Whom, by the way would you suggest? Bryan Adams?

[kquest07]

nitemoovs you're not paying attention. Artists sometimes get tired of their older songs, or arrangements/production. Sexsmith breathed new life into this one, but make no mistake, Elvis is a talented and very prolific songwriter for over 30 years. Maybe his voice is not for everyone, but he is certainly deserving to be on Canadian TV (his wife is Canadian, that ok?), or anywhere else with this interesting and entertaining program.

[nitemoovs]

sounds like Elvis is embarrassed by the song. Ron is light years better singing it. Elvis soulds dopey and a no talent hack. What the f%&k is he doing on Canadian TV? Couldn't we have found some more deserving Canadian?

[kkraft80]

verdammt ist das gut!

[mitzi66]

How amazing can something be? Brings a tear to my eye!

[mysterygirl11100]

Who are the other folks?

[daleady]

fantastic rendition of a mcmanus classic. sexsmith has an unbelievable voice, he is in aleague of his own right now!

[NTOWFilms]

Please record this together!

[joikee]

This has to be one of the nicest renditions of any song I ever heard:)

[smilingjeff]

I think the chorus sounds beautiful with Jesse Winchester's harmonies too - truly beautiful

[hoobity2908]

Cheers this is good

[JasonEuphoria]

They got it alright! Awesome to experience

[searsda12]

Thumbs up if Tom Power sent you here!!!! 

[hoobity2908]

For a lark eh! lol

Love it

[flyerphil]

Nice duet by both guys. Thanks for sharing this, it's a beautiful song

[suntzu02908]

Wow!!! 

[underpants1965]

if you're not sure if you love someone, just play this song & look at them, if it doesn't evoke any emotions you either don't love them or you're dead!  Brilliantly Awesome.

[11xzxzxz]

Elvis wrote it for a lark.? he says. Heck the lyrics are damn clever and one of his best videos in the 80s. strange hands in your sweater when you dreamboat turns out to be a footnote.. They should play this at the dual royal wedding (not that I even know anything or care about royalty .. we have Charlie Scheen in the US and we got the top royalty.

[xFlloyd]

I love this so much - Long time Sexsmith fan. He deserves more attention. Excellent.

[virgoverv]

So good....Elvis and Ron should go in a studio and record this.

I'd like to hear it every where. This is a number one hit.

[wdrayr]

This is so exquisite! I love this arrangement and performance. Thank you for the posting.

[wdrayr]

This is so exquisite! I love this arrangement and performance. Than you for the posting.

[leftyla]

OMG, I'm speechless. Thanks for uploading this!!!

[STrepp4]

What a terrific version of this song, they play it so easy

[custardflan]

What a great song. I also might like this version better.

[SuperAndersen82]

Is there any way too get this on my itune/pod? Its simply amazing

[wbnelson6]

anyone have the tab for this? thanks

[wbnelson6]

anyone have the tab for this song? thanks

[StellarLove66]

ronnie xo

[Wheelchaser1962]

It looks like Elvis fell in love with his song again, at least for this performance.

[auggdogrules]

geez never knew this could be sung so slow and nice,great job dudes.........

[JackyVengeance123]

this song is so cheesy, just a play on words yet they have made it so beautiful.

[wadecottingham]

I agree, very pretty, sweet, soulful and perfect. At this time there are no Thumbs Down votes! So pretty.

[SpookyVid]

Been a fan of Ron for years and have seen him live and just cannot understand how he isn't a household name. Such a wonderful musician. When I saw he was in this show, I was so happy for him. He deserves every good thing that comes his way.

[kev10ok]

Absolute quality!!! nuff said....

[pillowpants84]

That was gorgeous...

[granty671]

Lovely hat Elvis? Great rendition, what a beautiful song.....wish I could play it like this....I miss you Imposter ...I hope you are happy now?

[cdnlady7]

This Spectacle is my favorite from the 2 seasons

[sneha1965]

Splendid!

[anneliesb8]

This version is perfect.

[Afrikitten1]

Oh... I would give anything to have this version on my ipod. I listen to this song everyday, it's so beautiful. Please Elvis and Ron, record this version!!

[kasjudd]

this version kinda chokes me up....

[rdiabla]

one of my all time favorite songs... and this version became perfect!

[jacotango]

@rdiabla i can't put it any better than that. wish i could write songs like this for a "lark" :) ron sexmith does a fantastic job too. but doesn't he always.

[gospelmaestro]

Love Ron Sexsmith...of course EC is a genius, that needs not be said.

[Hyrem123]

Ron SSmith is brilliant - Elvis not too bad either !

[jsaonline908]

Just makin' people look stupid with their great musicianship, almost like a little tutorial.

[jackdelawack]

really lovely,thanks....

[anneliesb8]

thanks dralanbecker. The effect seems more complex and enchanting the oftener I listen to it.

[deborahsuewho]

lovely. simply.

[1TopGearFan]

loved it

[Jay3039]

i prefer this to the album version

[theoutlawification]

i love this version.it seems to really lay on me for some reason.the other version is still music but this version just i love it.elvis even said he rescued it for me.

[66feebee]

both versions sound brillant!!

[22ratbags]

this has always been my fave Elvis song, a great version too

[anneliesb8]

Are those strings playing around 2:12 or is it some harmonic note coming off their (brilliant) combined acoustic guitars?

I like Ron Sexsmith especially when he sings outside the box...

everyday everyday everyday I listen to this song...

[dralanbecker]

@anneliesb8

Ron is using a capo and elvis is not. That is what gives it that harmonic sound.

[tcradvanced0]

Costello supplies the canvas, Sexsmith supplies the paint. What a wonderful collaboration! Just inspiring!

[teethingp]

Brilliant.

[17weezer17]

amazing.

[anneliesb8]

Very sweet, and just now listening to it I think the sweetest song I ever heard.

[joikee]

Masterpiece,,, Ron Sexsmith is very special

[samkerr7]

Absolutely legendary.  What an inspiring performance!

[futuremtt]

what is he saying? can't understand some words.

[muajhmookawg]

i can't start my homework because of this; these two cats are something else...

[dcarr84]

Now, I like this song a hole lot better. This is the way it should have been recorded in the first place.

[HoneyKone]

@dcarr84 Are you kidding? Ron took every shred of soul out of this song! I prefer the original version, especially the live performances he did with The Imposters.

[dcarr84]

This was one of the 3 best songs on this episode of Spectacle.The number one song was Prison Girls by Neko Case accompanied by Elvis and Steve. Too bad I can't find song anywhere here on youtube. Must be a copy write thing.

[peskypossum58]

Saw Ron at The Basement in Sydney many years ago and he played this EC song. Sounds like a song Smokey Robinson would have been proud to have written. Just gorgeous! Thanks so much for posting.

[kennykins420]

my step dad used to live right beside Ron, he's a frigggen chill guy!

[MaBelleone1]

Lovely...just lovely...thank you for posting!

[Mouldytone]

This really annoys me. Two extraordinarily gifted songwriters who have extraordinary voices and guitar skills as well? I love them and I hate them.

Gotta say I loved Elvis`s original of this song but Ron really reminds us all of its brilliance!

[bingo3218]

Its a few minutes like this and Jesse Winchester's performing of Sham a Lang a Ding Dong on the same episode of Spectacle that makes the other 23 plus hours of lies spew and propaganda bearable. More of this and less of the brain wash and the world would be a far better place for us all!

[dznygrl]

Just beautiful. Thanks for posting!

[canuckkimmer]

it is great to know there is still wonderful meaningful music in the world

[macflyfilm]

Ron is very talented but I find it hard to listen to him these days. For me he's like the Leopard Cohen that doesn't quite get me past depressing. He's unique though.

[MrChiffy]

we should all be able to write like this in ten minutes

[jayscott49]

If you like this, check out Diana Jones.

[blacksunfish]

Stunning rendition.  I adore this.

[rlegear19]

Thanks to Ron Sexsmith for this arrangement and for collaborating with E.C. to make a good song great. .... This is simply an amazing live performance. Elvis was inspired here.

[dcarr84]

@rlegear19 Yes, I think Elvis was inspired in a big way. I got inspired as well.

[MickeySimple]

Great song, great blending voices, amazing virtuouso singing at 4:27 by Elvis.

[MrSpotsmom]

Ahhh..Ron Sexsmith. He speaks with the angels.

[kevhead66]

wow. i like this version better than the one on Punch The Clock for sure

[suexian]

Excellent.

[johnnylounge]

Geniuses at work

[ktpinnacle]

A Costello throwaway? He shows more wordsmithing here than most songwriters show in their whole careers. Until hearing this version I preferred the "Merseybeat" version he has played in concert. This was a revelation.

[cabronte]

I like Elvis' statement that "you fall out of love with a song that you wrote." Wow. This is hardly my fave EC song but Ron brings it to a new life.

[GravityJim]

Holy cow, could Sheryl Crow be more outclassed than she is in this group?

[cabronte]

No. She can't.

[thesoftafterglow]

Finally on youtube! I have been watching this over and over on demand just for this song lol, I LOVE THIS VERSION!!

[joikee]

Nice to see Ron get a chance to show his talents, love this version of the song and love his other stuff very much:)

[funkandgroovin]

elvis, ron, jesse, and neko

were so wonderful in the show.

[bellicosebumpkin]

Stellar version. Elvis is an amazing vocalist. Quirky yes, but what power and subtlety,

[suedehead3]

That is just beautiful. Better than the original, and I'm a huge fan.

Thank you.