Elvis Costello Pills and Soap

[lilitifrock]

Thumbs up if Karen Gillan brought you here! Kaz you're so great!

[priamyvate]

@lilitifrock you stole my comment

[lilitifrock]

@priamyvate Haha! Sorry, you should have write it before!

[Particulations]

I heard it was a song about vivisection.

[smckie56]

I always thought it was really about how the Thatcher loving 'free press' REALLY behave how topical,maybe it will be re-released

[oHelmslyo]

It was apparently inspired by The Animals Film doc that inspired him to give up meat, didn't know he was veg till like minutes ago

[MarkTerminus]

Great words, great song. One of his best.



[designerxvoodoo]

I've never been sure what this song is about but I still love it LOL

[kevhead66]

Good song from an otherwise mediocre record

[lfc5starquality]

Ive always thought this was a song about the regime of margaret thatcher and more specifically his opposition to neo liberalism and the poverty among many it is associated with... but what do i know, im just a poor boy from a poor family, spare me my life from this monstrosity

[frankkalani]

i always thought it was about overcoming a vicadin addiction only to take on ocd which occurs when hes not heavily medicated.what do i know though. im a rich boy form a wealthy family.

[garyhosty]

thanks

[SOCM]

My favorite.

[hillebar]

17 years later: The final 10 or 20 or 35 seconds of this song were sampled by Tricky (as "Nearly God") probably to remind me how old I am ;-))

[NickOLarse999]

I think he is singing abt ruthlessness, trampling over people and all that. Don't ask me why i think that tho i haven't really got a clue. nice song tho

[kenboyflails]

I absolutely love this song. The version he does with the Brodsky Quartet, however, is completely amazing.

[ducttapepirate]

Maybe i am just totally out of it... but what is this song about anyway?

[jenesaispas82]

tied for my favorite by e.c. with tramp the dirt down

i'm glad he left it without a radio hook, key change, sax solo. Just a solid emotional ashtray for the roaches of the proleteriat.

[xenapgf]

He wrote this song and recorded as The Imposter because he was under contract as Elvis  Costello And wrote it after seeing a programme about vivisection apparently !

[kloppedeklop]

I was on the "Imperial Bedroom" masterpiece...

[dirtythierry]

Nope kloppedeklop, it was on the subsequent masterpiece "Punch the Clock"! Don't thank me.

[kloppedeklop]

Ok- I won't thank you just give you due credit- you are right, my friend, you are right! Either way (and either album) it is just effing good!!! : )))

[dirtythierry]

Right Mr K! I don't deserve much credit, it's just that back in 1983, while doing my military service (is that a correct way to tell?) in France, a country i didn't know much at the time, i spent that year with both albums glued to my ears in pure nerd bliss!

[arlolennonfan]

i really dig the minimalism in the arrangement.

really good song.

[z1ny]

I love Elvis but this isn't his greatest song musically. The lyrics are great but it doesn't have his usual tension buildup and hooks.

[johnxbox]

thats your opinion. my opinion is that your talking out of your arse hole.

[z1ny]

oh yeah, a critic who names herself after a gaming console. I can respect that.

[princesslayla83]

"john" might suggest a male. hmmm.

[pianoman74]

or a toilet in colloquial US slang (sorry couldn't resist) :p

[prestonite]

No Hooks? wtf!!!!!!!!!!!

[maxfrasier]

i agree, not one of his better songs

[MisAnnThorpe]

@maxfrasier No you are so right; this is not one of Mr. Costello's best songs, it is THE best. Although come to think of it, Shipbuilding was pretty good. Indoor fireworks was half decent. Tokyo storm warning................

[maxfrasier]

@MisAnnThorpe Not for me. I look Elvis but this track leaves me cold.

[jlmg2123]

living legend!!

[themozman]

AMAZING!!!!

thanks!

[maxfrasier]

shameless plug

[joshua65]

Hey, I´d never realized that some verses came from SING A SONG OF SIXPENCE, just now.

[spadge321]

i really dig costello

this is when he had guts

check out Brutal Youth for his best shit

tiny/ salford

[joshua65]

Great clip! Where did you get it?

[parkhill62]

Its from a late night show whose name escapes me .The same stage was graced by Tom Waits , A Certain Ratio ,Cocteau twins ,Lotus Eaters etc