Elvis Costello - New Amsterdam

[sudhra]

My beautiful girlfriend and I share this song as 'our song'. When she was visiting me in Manchester we happened upon a random pub and went in. Just as we stepped in this song played and we've since adopted it as 'our song'. I think it's a great song that showcases EC's amazing talent. Oh yeah.

[joefax530]

My God, what an amazing lyricist. To just toss off lines like "step on the brakes to get out of her clutches".....f***ing brilliant.

[linaeuterpe]

love this always have and always will

[fiftythirdand3rd]

Most everything by Elvis is EPIC.

[kirkyraucous]

i love elvis' style, especially through the seventies and beginning of the eighties... without noticing i've taken a lot of my fashion cues from him... was super excited when my eyes started going bad and had to get glasses...

[pbrick6301]

the video not shot in new amsterdam. except for the shot of the statue of staue of liberty. probably the video shot in europe.

[GuitarVirtuosoWimmel]

@pbrick6301 Oh you must be a moron. EUROPE? Maybe the land of the dutches, double dutches, the land where 'Old' Amsterdam is located... Holland/The Netherlands...

Nevertheless Elvis rocks

[ytveo1]

excelente!!mexico

[scp06cmb]

Thanks so much for posting this, I love this song, always have, Elvis Costello is a true genius lyrically and musically, totally unique with razor sharp insight and majestic musical landscapes. I've been waiting for someone to post the original for ages.

[Canaboy12]

"i agree"

[bonezillion]

I love Declan MacManus (Elvis Costello) <3 <3 <3 <3

I have this album on vinyl :]

[pbrick6301]

welcome back

[NoelleNabob]

England looks awesome. Or, well, New Amsterdam does.

[TheAGSproductions]

@NoelleNabob

New Amsterdam = New York. :P

[timeclimber]

i hate elvis - he wrote all t he songs i wanted to write.

tc

[BreadTheEpic]

I freakin' love this song.

"'Til I speak double-dutch to the real double-duchess~'"

Elvis Costello: you either love him or you hate him.

In my case, it's the former! :'D

[skelznap]

Get Happy is a brilliant album. New Amsterdam is one of my all time favourite songs.

Some accurate lyrics for being knocked silly in love.

[ChasBeauregarde]

Thanks for posting these and others from "Get Happy!" RichVee. The rhythm guitar strumming pattern in this song is very Lennonesque.

[wadser5]

"Till I step on the brakes to get out of her clutches"

Love this line

[glantont]

two minutes of sheer brilliance from EC

[bwyd]

Not only one of my Top 5 Costello's ever, but surely one of the most brillant pop songs I've ever heard !

[screamingblueme]

I dont know what this songs about, It must be about some bird being his ducchess which he finds much to muchess

[starchaser77]

The New Amsterdam EP has three other excellent songs on it: Dr Luther's Assistant, Ghost Train and Just a Memory. At this time Elvis was writing so many great songs that he could afford to leave those three off the 'Get Happy' album.

[pianoman74]

Heck yeah, a good song need not be 4 1/2 minutes in length...Costello shows what you can bring in a mere 2:15 minutes. Wow!

[CrazyShakaZulu]

Do I speak Double Dutch, to a real Double Duchess

[rob57uk]

Oops! Of course you're spot on newmagda, makes 100% more sense too. Must pay more attention while trainspotting!

[rob57uk]

Oh, it's become much too much!!!

"Back in London they'll take it so hard after a little while, Though I look right at home I still feel like an exile."

EC = wordsmith supreme. Get Happy is full of little gems like this. Great post RichVee. Absolutely brilliant.

[newmagda1en]

The lyrics are actually

"Back in London they'll take you to heart after a little while."

[elfdude06]

such a brilliant song--captures an indescribable essence :)

[moonfaze]

YES! That is EXACTLY what it does and has done for almost 30 yrs.! Every single time I hear it, I get chills, in part from beauty of it, in part for what it reminds me of...

[PMcG6]

One of my favourite Elvis songs. Thanks!

[xrockangelx]

This song has been stuck in my head all day! ..Can anyone see what kind of guitar he's playing?

[lmasino]

That's a Gibson J-200

[twentyoutoftwenty2]

Can't you just hear the bass line rolling through a European Cathedral? Sounds like a pipe organ.

[twentyoutoftwenty2]

Even Olde New York was once New Amsterdam. Why they changed it I can't say - People just liked it better that way - HEY! Istanbul is Constantinople.. et cetera.

[0Montespan]

Actually the reason is never we like it better it's always a reason: New Amsterdam was the name when it belonged to the Dutch the Dutch made a trade with the English who changed to name to New York... Constantinople's name change was due to the fact that Arabian muslims took over the city, not because it just sounded better

[twentyoutoftwenty]

Hey!! Thanks for that but I was quoting an old song called Istanbul (Not Constantinople) recorded in the early '50s and covered (the version I know) by They Might be Giants. Cheers!

[CrazyShakaZulu]

it was Turkish Muslims. Sorry!

[OccupyingSpirit]

brilliant song, for me his second best, after New Lace Sleeves.

Definitely about New York.

[Skybar99]

Please stop thinking this song is about Bebe Buell! It's ridiculous!

Haven't you ever noticed how Elvis sings to himself a lot-like an internal monologue? This is one of those songs. He's talking to himself about how he's both attracted to & repelled by NYC (AKA New Amsterdam-look it up, kids). When he says "she" he means NYC & by extension all of America & American Culture. He's overwhelmed, bewildered, exhausted & homesick.

"Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile".

[dasenuff]

@Skybar99 bebe who? i agree..just let it roll!



[steven4wendy]

@Skybar99 AT LEST YOU GET IT IT TOOK ME 20 YEARS ITS SAME AS LIFE GOOD COMENT

[skipnewt]

Wow. I have not heard this in forever, but it's as appealing as when first heard. This guy is the best thing to come from the 2d British Invasion.

[canyonsofremorse]

only just heard this again luv rotherhythe? rhyme.

[potato73]

I love the fact this song mentions Rotherhithe. Strangely.

[midgeismum]

The background music is amazing. Don't know another song where the singer is constantly singing like he is here. Amazing.

[mehall89]

um... what's up with the statue of liberty at the end? love this song.

[delta28648]

New Amsterdam is now known as New York City

: )

[mehall89]

lol guess I should have at least guessed at that. well thanks! learn something new every day I suppose.

[vanostraniii]

The Statue of Liberty kicks ass!

[TabithaMcCleod]

delta, but Bebe Buel, to EC = NY...the song's about her darlin!

[zx7gp]

Looks like a black haired brother of the Proclaimers

[therealsoulproduct]

One of my favorites from the "Get Happy" LP.

[Chalwaman]

Seriously talented musician/songwriter!! Under-rated!!

[605dilligent]

underrated as far as recognition in awards... other then that as far as i know... elvis is one of the most respected songwriters ever.

[diskochimp]

"Everything you say now sounds like it was ghostwrittten" - ace!

[fryj3]

Has made a new fan with this old video and timeless song... what a great writer.

[sambomcl]

Rare promo fuck all.

[lalalasamburg]

He is so adorable in this video!!!!

[roastedlampost000]

Great track, kinda addictive in its repetition

[selysse]

Brilliant, as always. We are fortunate mellow middle-aged Elvis doesn't sneer like that anymore. What a horrible face.

He's lucky it didn't freeze like that, and god knows he made that face all through the seventies and eighties. Mellow Elvis is much cuter!

[TabithaMcCleod]

WTF are you on about? New Amsterdam is code for New York which is code for his lover-muse Bebe Buell. THAT is what this track is about.

He's a total, fucking 100% genius....who couldn't want to weep when they hear his stuff? Who wouldn't want to have tracks like THIS written for you?

[lifeofpisquared]

so the warm liberals condemn people forever ..jeez get over it guys..genius at work....

[moe17moe]

Elvis in his own words(on cd:get happy"): a ridiculous drunken argument would culminate in me speaking the exact opposite of my true beliefs in an attempt to provoke a fight that inevitably arrived. That I was speaking in some absurd, exaggerated, supposedly ironic humour, in which everything is expressed in the reverse of that which one knows to be true, is no excuse. There was nothing sparkling or glorious about this wordplay, just the seed of madness. It was the product of crazed indulgence.

[moe17moe]

The racial nature of these alleged remarks-i say"alleged"because i have about as much true memory of what actually transpired as any of the other drunken combatants-created a fairly major scandal.I left the U.S. having failed to explain myself to the satisfaction of the hysterical and,it must be said,delighted liberal press.The people

i had supposedly slandered, Ray Charles and James Brown,had a much more generous vieuw of these remarks,rightly putting them down to drunken idiocy.

[khurit]

there were white hating racists too like r charles and j brown; all junkies, along with miles davis also brutal nasty people who hated whites over alleged slavery 400 years ago music can come from evil racist blacks go figure!

[skipnewt]

Best songwriter of the 80's, hands-down. Genius for wordplay and irony.

[BARRETBROWN]

HAVENT WE ALL SAID THINGS WE REGRET

[sirimar53]

Love the lyrics! "Til I step on the brake to get out of her clutches! Elvis is one great songwriter!

[DJJimmyBee]

Yup. Let Elvis write. Let us listen.

[nanwily]

'till i speak double dutch to a real double dutchess is good too!

[spiderkiss]

Check out cover of 1994's "Brutal Youth" as well, a tiny Elvis of 6 with his good friend, a black boy. The Ray Charles on his death bed scene still scornful of Elvis? 99% unlikely. Ray forgot the stupid comments a day after they were made in 79 I assure you.

[spiderkiss]

I heard Ray Charles forgave him in 1979! I know about Elvis more than just about anybody, and he is not a racist whatsoever. He said the nasty things about James Brown and Ray in a bar to piss off some American musicians who were offending him. He didnt mean those words at all. His next record was a heartfelt tribute to African American music, a thank you to blacks all over the world whose contributions to world music helped create rock and roll, jazz, etc:

1980's "Get Happy."

[diane869]

My favorite of all songs by Elvis...says alot when u know all of them. Didn't know he made a video, too happy with anything.

[ExodusPessoa]

That's not true I hope it's not true. As an African Canadian fan I hope it's not true. That is a hateful thing to say genius or not. And if he was joking it's still offensive. I hope he's sorry for what he said because I don't think he's a racist. Don't want to assume, but Elvis Costello is a fan of black music so I don't think he meant it. I wish TacScoot2 didn't write that because I'm such a big fan, but now disappointed he said that he's better than than. Say it aint so Elvis.

[thegirl44]

Unfortunately Exodus, it was said and just as quickly regretted after the words were uttered. Sadly, regardless of numerous apologies, Brother Ray was unable to turn the other cheek. Shortly before his death Brother Ray, eager to meet Costello's new bride Diana Krall, still couldn't find it in his heart to forgive Declan Macmanus at even that meeting; He engaged a lengthy conversation with Krall while completely ignoring Costello.

[BARRETBROWN]

masterpiece,.. one of many from this great

musical genius. He may be critical, but irreplaceable.

[rossboss1]

NO WAY! This video exists? Holy crap, probably my favorite E.C. song...it's definitely way up there. I just "Got Happy"

[icanwaitanotherday]

I love this song!

[djnross]

I cut my first intellectualist-literary teeth immersing myself in the lyrics of Declan MacManus!

[stellaviolens]

Judge him by this song and he'd be spared what follows. The melody, the lyrics , the right year all touched by a hint of musical genius and at a special time for me.

" Everything you say sounds like it's been ghostwritten "

However i judge the man now, the sleaze, the disrespect for colour and race of others, his backbiting sourness. I loathe him intensely and was delighted to see he's thousands of miles away. Stay there and forget the uk declan as we have dismissed you from our minds.

[stellaviolens]

Judging him only by this then he'd be spared what follows. The melody, lyrics, a special year all tinged by hints of a musical genius at what was the best time for me.

" Everything you say now sounds like it's been ghostwritten !"

However now i judge the man, the sleaze, his disrespect for colour and race of others, the hubris & bitterness.

So I loathe him intensely and was delighted to see he's 1000's of miles away. Stay there and forget the uk declan as we have forgotten you.

[johnnyever]

Yes, because everyone ought to be harshly judged and condemned for decades, based on the very worst things they've ever let slip during heated arguments. I'm sure you've not said anything in the past twenty years of which you're ashamed.

[Vanostran]

don't be so hard the guy. He's only human.

[turbo378]

Just because he said Ray Charles was a blind ignorant nigger doesn't mean he is racist. Ya fucking jew. =P

[TacScoot2]

He said that Ray Charles was a blind, ignorant nigger in oreder to piss off a couple of old hippies so they'd leave him the hell alone! Being good liberals, they ran full speed to the nearest journalista to blab to the world. He should have just shot them instead.

[ExodusPessoa]

That's not true I hope it's not true. As an African Canadian fan I hope it's not true.

[TabithaMcCleod]

Hear hear TacShoot...some people just don't GET music at ALL! I agree shooting the hippies would have been highly desirable. Poor EC. Can't even sing his heart out about lover-muse Bebe Buell without this turning into a PC fest:-(

[cdwhiteakronpoet]

Elvis Costello, A.K.A Declan McManus, HAS continued to write some of the greatest songs of our time. Obviously he has written less-than-excellent songs too, but you have to judge an artist based on the best work they've produced, and at his best, E.C. is second to none.

[Cigarmark]

Pure genius. What a talent.

[fulcrum100]

It looks like parts of Birkenhead in places, and then parts of north east Wales...

[fulcrum100]

Sublime, sublime sublime. Perfect ruminating Bass organ sound through out...... Elvis C, genius.

[Vanostran]

Just thinking the same thing after watching it again, being a descendant of early New Amsterdam settlers.

[fulcrum100]

Are you a New yorker yourself? ever been to Heartbreaker nite club... which is a flea pit deli in the daytime?

[Vanostran]

like it.

[diffdrum1]

Love, love, love it!

[Steve14Lin]

This song has a very haunting sound to it and is one of Elvis C's best songs

[keramikk]

AAAAH! 1980, and I was in awe for Elvis Costello. And this song is hands down one of his very best. Pure perfect genius for 2 minuits and 14 seconds. How come you can't pen songs like this anymore, Declan?

[avatar2005]

You are so right ChristoJihad! For me, Elvis's albums thru Imperial Bedroom are simply classics! I ended up quitting writing/perfoming because I just felt my best stuff was nowhere as good as his worst...but then again...he's a genius!

[christoJihad2]

Get Happy was a 20 gem album, something only the Stones, Beatles or a few other bands could pull off. Elvis should be mentioned in the same breath as them. "New Amsterdam" is one of the few perfect songs ever written.

[Petronella7]

Thanks for posting this! It's actually one of my favourite Elvis songs!

[LeeisCoolio]

Thanks for this a classic from the real elvis :)

[Restorationny]

Does anyone know where he's standing in the majority of this video? In some scenes it looks like MOTBY and in others it looks like the beach in South Amboy south of the Parkway bridges. I recognize the salt hill in black plastic from Staten Island. Looks like it was there since the 70s!

[eevilangelo]

This Elvis is the real KING

[ExodusPessoa]

Amen brotha

[thegirl44]

Try to keep in mind Exodus the numerous African musicians that Costello worked with and not some unfortunate ignorant words uttered in a moment of anger a frustration. I know that it's no excuse for the behavior but I personally also question Brother Ray's claims of Christianity if he was unable to forgive some foolish words from the very model of the, "Angry young man." All the best to you and yours my fellow Canadian, thegirl.

[SportingLice]

Not alot of imagination in promo vids back then, still a great song though.

[meskeleros]

I agree.

[MINESWEEP2k]

This is probably my favorite Elvis Costello song.

-MINESWEEP

[Trippedfellanddied]

NEW AMSTERDAM!

[Dogtownkat]

Incredible sonwriter whove vocals have improved with each akbum, sometimes he'll play this live in medley form with Youve Got to Hide Your Love Away from the Beatles......

[rumpelstiltskin2112]

Here's a tip for everyone. Music for the weekly BBC detective show GPH was composed by Elvis back in the 1990s. Someone has posted the opening title music here on YouTube--there may be more posted. Search 'Elvis' AND 'GBH'.

[rumpelstiltskin2112]

Sorry, just search 'GBH'.

[rumpelstiltskin2112]

Actually to much unrelated stuff comes back if you search 'GBH'. You can narrow it down to the telivision show GBH--the detective show with music by Elvis--if you type type: GBH, TV

[germurph51]

"Everything you say sounds it was ghostwritten."

And who else could fit in the line about "double duchess"?

No one but Declan.

[germurph51]

The arrogant little pus cokehead ( I thnk off it) has written here some of the greatest lyrics of modern hist'ry. Never mind a gorgeous tune to carry it. This kid was truly amazing / Irish kid raised in Liverpool w/ a nice enf mum. Too bad,he had to marry four times, the dolt.

[stevegringo]

One of the greatest songs, music and lyrics ever

[NewWaveMaster]

Get Happy!!. 20 songs (20 masterpieces) in VINYL. Has somebody else done that?. I don't think so. Just the greatest. Elvis Costello.

[Jeaneathean]

One of his greatest songs from a very produductive period. I am enlightened by many of the postings above!

[msmethurst]

New Amsterdam was the original name for New York.

Not sure he wrote this for Bebe, but "Riot Act" is his response to his management request he minimize the publicity of their relationship. He was married.

I read he was on a lot of pills at the time and the idea was to just write as many songs as possible, hence Get Happy and Taking Liberties.

I believe he wrote "Almost Blue" for Bebe after the breakup.

[LeviVdBogaard]

New Amsterdam is indeed New York, but in the lyrics there's reference to Amsterdam as well, for instance : "Till I speak double DUTCH to a real double duchess", and also tulips (mentioned in the lyrics and can be seen in the promo) are a typical dutch thing. And he's probably walking upon a dutch beach.. But then the Statue of Liberty at the end is really confusing..

[wkiernan]

New Amsterdam was the name of Zeigfeld's theatre in New York.

[davesdatingtips]

New Amsterdam-he's talking about New York?? Right??

Get Happy, arguably the CD/ALBUM with the highest number of excellent songs-and that is TOUGH competition!

[gary1961]

I remember buying this single back in 1980 and it had printed on the cover - Do not pay more than 50p for this record. At the time I think it was about 95p for a single. It must have been something to do with the 'shortness' of the song, hardly 2 minutes. It was a great gesture by the record company and/or Mr Costello. Anyone else remember this?

[ucfbtm]

I considered myself very lucky to get the Picture Disc too - where he is hugging the 2 bunches of tulips either side.I guess I should have remembered,that even tho they were "limited edition",nobody else ever gave a damn about EC and the Attractions.I started to realise fro the charts,that I was the only one buying their singles!

[Patagoniasam]

I do - I have the single and that's exactly what it says. Great song

[gary1961]

A great track from the Get Happy album. 20 tracks and all very short by the day's standards. I no longer have this album but I can remember a few other great tracks off it - King Horse being one of the best. Great memories.

[smautomat]

I think that this song was written for Bebe Buell, mother of Liv Tyler.

[bacci40]

bebe was the ultimate groupie...i think the only genre of musician she didnt bang was hip hop

[ClueSign]

I heard (back at the time, living in NY) that it was written for yet another gf of EC, not BB. Long forgotten, I'm sure but fab tune.

[acfg59]

This guy moves me. He is so awesome!