Added: 4 years ago
From: korkhammaregon
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  • EC's personal charm brought me here.

  • Prefer studio version but this is pretty good-love his early, Billy Idol-esque punk sneer! Elvis rules and always will. 

  • It doesn't look or sound like they're performing live, but it's not the version on the album. Did they record it with The Attractions just for TOTP?

  • ELMO led me here!!!!!!!!

  • @percfreak0285

    Me too hehe :D

  • this guy has aged well, in musical terms

  • ...Fu-kn-GREAT ........E. ROCKS....

  • Love it. Go Elvis!

  • The "Buddy" thing has it's merit...R.S. magazine once referred to Elvis as "looking like Buddy Holly after shock treatment" -- LMAO!!!!

  • Hey, don't forget to include Graham Parker as one of the angry young men who kicked disco a@@.

  • cool but really one of the most rejected artists in punk

  • O dear...and those swaying dancers in red dresses...suppose they're wearing red shoes as well! A great artist nonetheless, the taste flaws are all bottom of the rocks.

  • The geeky look suits those info speech bubble things...So nerdcool!

  • Dwight Kurt Schrute brought me here

  • lol Rainn Wilson would.

  • Excellent video...just loved it!

  • Simply the best. He is still amazing, but I agree wpollock1; nothing beats the "angry young man" Elvis. He still has me under his spell.

  • any body here because it was on radio 2 today?

  • how could you possible push dislike on this?

  • so shit compared to the 45!

  • I still remember thinking, Who is this weird, pigeon-toed guy, and how DARE he dress like Buddy Holly?

  • @BudStrong He's the cool version of Buddy Holly.

  • @MishuTaste uhh buddy holly is the cool version of buddy holly.

  • @pbeez ...And Elvis Costello rocked it good enough to catch yer atten....quit btchn

  • stage presence like no other

  • @shoebottom89

    Saw the Attractions and Squeeze on the same bill at a small London venue in 1978 - Squeeze very drunk and brilliant, Attractions reasonably sober but unable to find the electric piano for the beer bottles Squeeze left onstage :o))

  • Nifty. A treat to see another very early clip. Seems like the Elvis and Attractions are miming to the Clover backing track off the album. more lost gems please!

  • Elvis in his "Angry Young Man" days. It's doesn't get much better than this! Thank you, Elvis Costello, Warren Zevon and Joe Jackson for saving us from the Hell that was disco. You are the Holy Trinity of Rock-n-Roll.

  • Elvis Costello mentioned (what might have been) this show last night it was a harrowing experience getting there.

    "the airplane was held together by spit, glue and Scotch tape"

  • 1st record i ever bought, so i've got fond memories of this tune :).

    Its all good!

  • Ahh, back in the days when the musicians union actually had some power.

  • Watching the detectives, satire, PUNK, captures the era, he soon moved onto New Wave & other things, always the best at his start, red shoes, satirizing the other Elvis

  • The thing about a singer like Costello is that he superficially looks clever so people think he is clever and then pat themselves on the back for being so clever to listen to him. Make him more conventionally handsome and see if the critics have the same opinion of him. Looks work both way, sadly.

  • @ihasch Understand your point, but it is pretty obvious from even a casual listening to his lyrics that he creates some of the most clever lyrics in music. Bowie, for instance, was also strong in lyrics and he was loved by the women. I don't think that somehow twisted everyones perception of his intelligence. There are many other examples of singers that a good looking and also literate.

  • @wpollock1-People are that superficial. And Costello is coming out of an alt-rock scene that was anti-glamour, so I think his look is very studied. Although it isn't as pronounced with men, where handsome does not automatically equate to the perception of lacking talent, so you have a fair point.

  • @ihasch It would be interesting to see what he looked like just prior to his rise to fame - did he have the same glasses, etc. I am sure some of it was planned as you say. I think he probably had the nerd gene somewhat all his life to some extent!

  • @ihasch That is an interesting point I've never heard made before --- kudos. However, Declan McManus would have made it either way. Duran-Duran were all exceedingly good-looking, possessed of lesser talent, and very successful, also from the same era. Whether Elvis Costello was helped or hindered by his looks does not matter. It's an existential question. Would Jim Carrey have made it if he had less teeth??

  • I love this tune, I need more red shoes

  • Did those two comments get the most thumbs up for having the worst grammar? If so, bravo.

  • his songs are musical poetry. what an amazing musician and writer. this is quality.

  • 15 people do not care for red shoes....

  • ....i said im so happy i could die..she said drop dead and left with another guy....GENIUS...

  • One of the best musicians wich are still alive! (with def. the most hottest women; Diana Krall!!!!) I love them both ;-)

  • Do any musos out there know what setting Steve Nieve's Fender Rhodes (?) is on?

    It sounds harpsichord-like. I love its sound- reminiscent of the 60's.

  • "She gets tired of the lust,

    'oh I'm so sad' but it's so hard to refuse

    Now can you say that I'm too old now that the Angels have stolen my red shoes"

    What is he singing about? Eve talking to the serpent, being in love and having your Woman cheat on you and break your heart. There is a reason he isn't smiling and is hammering that guitar.

    Seen Ian Declan Aloysium MacManus live seven times with the Attractions and alone and he is raw emotion and talent backed by hard work.

  • Ok, is He one of the earliest Artists to use a Jazzmaster? I have seen pictures of Hendricks with a white one, but they are few and far between!!!!

  • fantastic how the drum fills don't remotely match up to what pete thomas was playing. oh, TOTP and your glorified karaoke.

  • Two minutes 17 secs. That's very short.

  • Magnificent !!!!

  • thanks for posting,great song, seen him live twice, hes awesome

  • Declan!!

  • He's coming to Tokyo next March..it'll be my 2nd time to see him live! Can't wait!!!

  • @deadsea98 You are a dick.

  • im gonna write a song now after reading your comment, called CANT PLEASE PEOPLE...funny eh...

  • Wow if you like bruce springsteen

  • Thanks for this.Whenever TOTP2 play Elvis' performance of Watching the Detectives they always claim it was his first Top of the Pops appearance but I was sure that I remembered him appearing on the show doing 'Red Shoes'. Now I know my memory wasn't playing tricks with me.!

  • I gave Phil Hare my copy

  • Here, Elvis Costello respects punk and classic rock n' roll while maintaining his own individualism. If you don't appreciate it, then eat S#*T. That's just my opinion anyway.

  • @RealPolyester

    Well said!

  • now I try to be amused, some of the finest lyrics ever in this song.....excellent upload thanks!

  • I bought This Year's Model when I was 14 (a long time ago) and I have been listening to this genius ever since. A unique talent.

  • Love him or not, his music was special and his style was/is original.

  • Elvis Costello's first album, "My Aim is True," came out in Sept or Oct 1977 and changed my life!

    That record opened me up to the Sex Pistols and a gazillion other great bands. It's a shame Elvis quit making that sort of music--he had me up to "Punch The Clock."

  • I was 3! Isnt the internet amazing. Love love. Thanks for sharing this.

  • Originally recorded with 'Clover' who went on to become Huey Lewis and The News.....

  • Looks like a lip sync

  • @Mose99 it probably is coz top of the pops usually used lipsyncs watch the smiths preforming at top of the pops that's when you see that it is a lip sync show.

  • This is True And a great songs.

  • Still glad I bought red shoes then! 'LOL' - grrrrreat song!

  • he is the REAL elvis. fuck that dead on a toilet fucker.

  • I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE ELVIS COSTELLO!!!!!!!!!

  • So Good!!!!

  • Love it! Classic angry, snotty Elvis. I just doesn't get much better in rock history.

  • 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!!

  • Buddy Holly was reborn with this guy... it's a good thing!

  • This song is cool....

    I like old fashion songs...

    Their very original, thats what I like about them!

  • Great song. Elvis was great for 5 years and then he became OK with not all that many good songs. So if someone likes Elvis from 1980, he might as well be dead .. mr chrismcginness666

  • @11xzxzxz No, true his songs aren't as good anymore... but it is still amazing to go seem him live. He is such a good singer.

  • it cut off a second too soon.

  • If it's all about ass, then why don't gays like a bit of tit?

  • The single greatest, most entertaining singer-songwriter-seriously rocking your socks off, most intelligent entertainer in the history of RandR...

  • <3 forever. the best first track on the best debut release of all time.

  • yeah gods no1 people ANGRY!

  • a typical jewish responce from earlier ....................... gods no1 people yeah the arrogance

  • The beauty of art is making the complicated simple and the simple complicated. Elvis is the epitome of an artist, his music is both simple and complicated and that makes him the greatest artist in modern music. The Beatles were great, Elvis Costello is awesome!

  • eat a nob at night...;)

  • I love this so much =(. Beats all our modern shitty music.

  • Such a foolish crap. Elvis, burn in Hell, your music - sucks

  • am I going to sound extremely naive by asking you what you're talking about??x

  • nevermind...I looked it up..x

  • Look at Steve, he didn't live near a power plant.

  • piecluts

  • Do we need em?

    DO WE NEED EM?

  • We're surrounded by water, why we eatin' knob?

  • HLAFO

  • What's your twenty? How many candles are you burning?

  • dont nudge your granny while she's shaving.....

  • There was a fella outside our house, who hit a lampost, he had a helmet on, but his head come off.

  • Bubbled wallpaper what a mess ...

    Washer/dryer broken what a mess ...

    Siamese twins seperated ... One leg less!

  • rebecca loos wonked off a pog

  • a baby that 'ad a baby

  • willy wonka and his fulking cumps

  • R. Gervais

  • It's cruel to keep a person in a flat in Manchester so it's fucking cruel to keep a monkey in one.

    R. Gervais

  • So you are driving to Cornwall all shitting.

    R. Gervais

  • "A've a rest"

  • .... and his lips fell off.

  • you thumped a monkey?

  • @herepooch Nah, Benny thumped one...

  • is this live? it comes very close to the original. but it is awesome

  • frank zappa once said "talking about music is like dancing about politics"

  • @blaaarf  EXACTLY

  • @blaaarf That's beautiful. I've never thought of it that way, but it feels true.

  • I SO wanted this look. Elvis came on the scene when I was 14 and a speccy foureyes. He made specs cool.

  • Specs were already cool, Declan just made them a lot cooler.

  • Specs were already cool, Declan just made them cooler.

  • Another great song that has stood the test of time!

  • Can't say I remember this one much, and I was into him. Bet this one didn't get anywhere in the charts.

  • Of course this didn't do well with the public. As we all know apart from Oliver's Army Elvis never had a top10 single with his own songs. Hey you needs fools who only want to scream at pretty faces.Elvis has something other don't talent.

  • @TheHughLundy

    Same with Patti Smith, she once joked in concert that her label wanted to do a greatest hits package and she was incredulous, "What hits??" She then joked perhaps it should have 12 tracks and they should all be "Because the Night" LOL

  • Elvis is well known for taking his songs, and speeding them up to even double speed for live playing- pumping twice as much energy into them. My uncle saw elvis live sometime in the late 70's, (with the attractions) and he said elvis kicked over the mic stand and shouted the lyrics into the theatre. And you could hear him over the instruments...

  • At first I was disgusted. Later, I tried to be amused.  Eventually, I got flippin' pissed.

  • what a classic. When I first heard it I thought it was a great song. Didn't know what it was about, didn't care. Now hearing it some 30+ years later all I can wonder is man, where can I get me a pair of those shoes

  • looks a bit like Tim Roth at times.

  • 33 years?

    How can you say I'm too old?

  • great fucking song..

  • you can't expect to be taken seriously when you say that harrison was the main source of the beatles' talent. with that said, all things must pass is a great record.

  • Sorry - if you don;t like Elvis Costello you may as well be dead - the guy is sensational - I saw him in Sydney 2 months ago - he played solo for 3 hours & I will never forget it. YHow could yo ubag him? He plays all genres - is funny, kind & caring. Yeah what a turd..... can't please people I guess!

  • @chrismcginness666 One of the best artists of all time. His charisma and stage prescence supercedes even the legends.

  • Pure genius with real emotion and groove. Rock doesn't get much better that Elvis Costello.

  • Please don't compare Elvis with other musicans the comparison just doesn't stand up. He is and always wil be ELVIS COSTELLO(I am aware it's not his real name)one of the every few true ARTISTS to emerge in the 20th century. Music/lyric wise the other two are Leonard Cohen & Lou Reed

  • You Costello nay sayers obviously know nothing of the man. In the industry, he is regarded as one the most prolific, diverse songwriters ever. As his collaborations with, McCartney, Bacharach and likes will attest to. Do your homework.

  • You're right...ignore these jackoffs! FYI: Rolling Stone magazine put Elvis' first 3 records in the BEST ROCK N ROLL ALBUMS OF ALL TIME (he'd only come out with 3 records at the time of their list!)

  • great video!

  • Invoking the names of Lennon, Dylan, and McCartney in comparison to Costello's songwriting is terribly cliche, and you're missing the point.

    It's like nerds who jump into a musical discussion and tell everyone Led Zeppelin is the greatest band ever.

  • So whose name would you but in comparison with Lennon, Dylan and McCartney?

  • Ian Anderson-lead vocalist/lyrisist for Jethro Tull...

  • Hey I agree about the music but what is wrong with madness. They are like ska and 80 if they were power rangers and combined into a zord of awesome. Im pretty drunk but madness pwns

  • Great

    Sean Surlow

  • Elvis Costello blows Dylan's wheezy ass outta the water! Growing up I always thought of both Dylan and EC as the Titans of Universal Critical Acclaim. MacManus trumps Zimmerman, easy.

  • that's ridiculous. i mean, they're not really comparable, but if you just went by # of great records, costello would get buried.

  • hahahaha

    that is so funny cuz its just so ridculous

    Dylan is only 2nd to Lennon/McCartney in song writing.

    Costello is not a stitch on anyone from the 50's or the 60's

  • Wahay opinion is fact!

  • Elvis is King, looks so young in this clip. Saw him live in Norway less then a year later. Love the tune.

  • Interersting that it appears to be live, or at least not the version on vinyl, I didnt think any totp artists did anything but mime to the track as originally recorded

  • I saw an Interview where he was asked what he thought of Robbie Williams and Kylie.

    He said - ' there have always been song and dance acts around' - that's fine.

    But don't try to compare them to real artists.

    Classic put-down.

  • To me,Elvis is an original.Bruce is not a wordsmith like E.C..Bruce is very good,but check out his older albums..As far as The Jonas Brothers and Miley go,I say,to each his own,but I'd rather listen to actual artists.Not some product that Disney puts together and rolls out every year.Enjoy them while you can,but where will they be in 5 years or even 10 years??

  • Elvis is awesome

  • Elvis is like an alternative Bruce. More edgy with offbeat lyrics, and more danceable, but still epic.

  • springsteen is good.. nebraska was an awesome album.. he had phases.. his newer stuff isn't that great tho

  • I think Zac effron is more bethany's speed

  • wat do u mean by " I think Zac efron is more bethany's speed ?" ? is that supposed to be an insult ?

  • HaNnaH MOnTaNa RuLEZZZZZZZZ!11!111!!!!1!111!

  • Elvis is undeniably great, Bethany, but if you want to listen to THE greatest songwriter and rocker of all-time, start getting into Springsteen. He simply can't be touched.

  • Springsteen can't hold a candle to Costello. Declan is a genius, Bruce is just plain ordinary.

  • agreed.

  • Man, Matty...Declan is a genius I agree, but Springsteen is anything but "plain ordinary". I guess Dylan has always been pretty mediocre too. Dude, learn something about R&R and get real!

  • Sorry, I'll rephrase that:- "In my opinion Springsteen is plain ordinary".

    I don't like Springsteen, is that alright with you, you patronising troll.

  • I think really it's comparing Apples and Oranges, Springsteen and Costello while both amazing song writers live in two different realms of music

  • bethany....you ought to check out the english beat,they were a great band.i recommend too nice to talk too.

  • this song is so damn catchy.

  • One of the greatest powerpop refrains ever-I've always loved that outro!

  • TOTP was never live, I thought. Didn't they have to pretend to play their music? I heard it really pissed Morrisey off. When The Smiths were on, he treated it like a joke. I don't even think he used a mic.

  • this is the first time i ever listened to him and he's really good ! and that's coming from somebody who's 14 yrs old ! he's really good ! my friend also listens to him and she likes him too !!

  • Why would it be something special that "that's coming from somebody who's 14 yrs old !" ?

  • uh . because most 14 yr olds i know don't listen to him ! u gotta problem that i said that ? i was saying that i liked his music !

  • Hey - I dont have a problem chill - PLus, even if you do like him - WHy do you feel the need to announce that to people here?

  • my friend recommended that i listen to his music the day that i wrote that comment because i had never listened to him before that . i said ok and i decided to listen to his music for the first time . i decided that i liked his music . that's all .

  • I think it's great that kids listen to great music from the past. Check out the Who, Bethany. They are the greatest band ever. I've been a fan since I was younger than you, and I'm 44 now.

  • ok . ill check them out !

  • We need more kids like u, Bethany. There was so much great music written before u were born, that will live forever. Music that can lift you up and make you feel emotions u never thought u had.

  • wow ! thank you !

    ~ Bethany Pedersen