Slow Drag with Remedy :: An Elvis Costello Appreciation – Details, episodes & analysis

Today’s slow drag is with “The Only Flame in Town,” from “Goodbye Cruel World,” released in 1984. The songwriting is credited to Elvis Costello.

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Show Notes:

Appreciation written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Robinson, MA,MFA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slow_drag_remedy/

Bluesky Social: https://bsky.app/profile/slowdragwithremedy.com

Email: slowdragwithremedy@gmail.com  

“Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, Podcasts” https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Podcasts

Transcription: https://slowdragwithremedy.weebly.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

Slow Drag with Remedy on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1f521a34-2ed9-4bd4-a936-1ad107969046/slow-drag-with-remedy-an-elvis-costello-appreciation

References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, “The Only Flame in Town” https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=The_Only_Flame_In_Town

“The Only Flame in Town” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugcURF7B_gw

“The Only Flame in Town” Alternate version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geApcpKSk-4

Purchase “The Most Terrible Time in My Life…Ends Thursday”

Listen to the audiobook of “The Most Terrible Time in My Life…Ends Thursday” for free at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq7n1pN8D1Y

"The Only Flam in Town" Lyrics 

I know a girl got my mind in a mess

I never heard her say goodnight and God bless

She's not the only flame in town

And when we're alone, we never quarrel

I'm miles away, now here's the moral

She's not the only flame in town

She's not the only flame in town

She's got to stop thinking that I'm carrying this torch around

He struck a match and it lit up her face

We should have struck a match, girl

To burn down the whole place

Now you're not the only flame in town

But you blew hot and cold

Turned my heart to a cinder

And with each passing day

You're less tender and more tinder

Now you're not the only flame in town

She's not the only flame in town

She's got to stop thinking that I'm carrying this torch around

You're not the only flame

You're not the only flame

Thought I saw your face in the fire

But it's so hard to remember

Even an inferno can cool down to an ember

Now you're not the only flame

You're not the only flame

You're not the only flame in town

Today’s slow drag is with “Poisoned Rose,” from “King of America,” released in 1986. The songwriting is credited to Elvis Costello’s birth name.

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Show Notes:

Appreciation written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Robinson, MA,MFA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slow_drag_remedy/

Bluesky Social: https://bsky.app/profile/slowdragwithremedy.com

Email: slowdragwithremedy@gmail.com  

“Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, Podcasts” https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Podcasts

Transcription: https://slowdragwithremedy.weebly.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

Slow Drag with Remedy on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1f521a34-2ed9-4bd4-a936-1ad107969046/slow-drag-with-remedy-an-elvis-costello-appreciation

References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, “Poisoned Rose” https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Poisoned_Rose

“Poisoned Rose” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5ycLSDu7jc

“La Vie Bohéme” trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYYE_1Br-kE

“A Drunken Man’s Praise of Sobriety” Elvis Costello Wiki https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=A_Drunken_Man%27s_Praise_Of_Sobriety

“A Drunken Man’s Praise of Sobriety” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFf-iHQjLNI

Purchase “The Most Terrible Time in My Life…Ends Thursday”

Listen to the audiobook of “The Most Terrible Time in My Life…Ends Thursday” for free at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq7n1pN8D1Y

"Poisoned Rose" Lyrics

The poisoned rose

That you gave to me

It left me half alive

And half in ecstasy

But if half of your love

Is all I can win

Give me just a fraction

But no more medicine

The poisoned rose

On a Valentine card

That you take straight to the heart

That you call my junkyard

But if all I can do

Is save pieces of you

The piece of your mind

The piece of your heart

Didn't tear me apart

Like the poisoned rose

I received from you

I don't know

How we came to grow

Into this very sad affair

Every time we do the decent thing

Somebody spikes the drink

And a single becomes a pair

The poisoned rose

That you wear at your best

That I keep pressed between the white sheets

Where you lie half undressed

I threw away my shirt and shoes

You looked and I dived in

It's just you and me now

'Cause I threw away the gin

I threw away your alibis

And all your worn-out clothes

I threw myself upon the floor

But I couldn't throw away

This poisoned rose

This poisoned rose

This poisoned rose

Today’s slow drag is with “Lipstick Vogue,” from “This Year’s Model,” released in 1978. The songwriting is credited to Elvis Costello.

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Show Notes:

Appreciation written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Robinson, MA/MFA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slow_drag_remedy/

Bluesky Social: https://bsky.app/profile/slowdragwithremedy.com

Email: slowdragwithremedy@gmail.com  

“Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, Podcasts” https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Podcasts

Transcription: https://slowdragwithremedy.weebly.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

Slow Drag with Remedy on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1f521a34-2ed9-4bd4-a936-1ad107969046/slow-drag-with-remedy-an-elvis-costello-appreciation

References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, “Lipstick Vogue” https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Lipstick_Vogue

“Lipstick Vogue” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3sqZUMgcX4 

Purchase “The Most Terrible Time in My Life…Ends Thursday”

Listen to the audiobook of “The Most Terrible Time in My Life…Ends Thursday” for free at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq7n1pN8D1Y

"Lipstick Vogue" Lyrics

Don't say you love me when it's just a rumor

Don't say a word if there is any doubt

Sometimes I think that love is just a tumor

You've got to cut it out

You say you're sorry for the things that you've done

You say you're sorry but you know you don't mean it

I wouldn't worry, I had so much fun

Sometimes I almost feel just like a human being

It's you

Not just another mouth in the lipstick vogue

It's you

Not just another mouth in the lipstick vogue

Oh yeah

Get to the slot machine almost dead on arrival

Just hit me one more time with that live wire

Maybe they told you you were only a girl in a million

You say I've got no feelings

This is a good way to kill them

Select the control and then insert the token

You wanna throw me away but I'm not broken

You've got a lot to say, well I'm not jokin

There are some words they don't allow to be spoken

Sometimes I almost feel just like a human being

It's you

Not just another mouth in the lipstick vogue

It's you

Not just another mouth in the lipstick vogue

Not just another mouth lost in the lipstick vogue (repeats)

Today’s slow drag is with “Our Little Angel,” from “King of America,” released in 1986. The songwriting is credited Elvis Costello’s birth name.

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Written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Robinson

Twitter: @slowdragremedy

Email: slowdragwithremedy@gmail.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, Our Little Angel: http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php/Our_Little_Angel

“Our Little Angel”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdBXReI9TeI

Which hand does the world wear their engagement rings:  https://www.mytriorings.com/cultural-differences-wearing-bridal-rings-on-the-left-or-the-right-hand

“Vena Amoris,” or the vein of love:  https://www.brides.com/story/why-are-wedding-rings-worn-on-left-hand

"Our Little Angel" Lyrics:

This is the place where I made my best mistakes
This is the place even angels don't understand
I've seen the disappointment in her face
And the collection of engagement rings on her right hand
She sits alone apart from the crowd
In a white dress she wears like a question mark
Friends speak of her fondly
Enemies just think out loud
You think you're man enough to please her
And you're fool enough to start
But you're not going to do a thing to our little angel
There's nothing you're thinking tonight that tomorrow won't change

Now the cabaret is frozen and the laughter comes in cans
And the lonely hearts club clientele don't know what to do with their hands
You think that you'll be sweet to her but everybody knows
That you're the marshmallow valentine that got stuck on her clothes
But you're not going to do a thing to our little angel
There's nothing you're thinking tonight that tomorrow won't change

So you mix your drinks and words
You make bad jokes you make bad time
The floors are there to walk over
The walls are there to climb
You swear that you'll never go back again once you're inside
But you're never the bridegroom she's always the bride
And you're not going to do a thing to our little angel
There's nothing you're thinking tonight that tomorrow won't change

You'll come in a sweetheart and you'll go out a stranger
Well you try to love her but she's so contrary
Like a chainsaw running through a dictionary
So get your mind off the sweet behind of our little angel
You're not going to do a thing
You're not going to do a thing
You're not going to do a thing to our little angel

Today’s slow drag is with “I Almost Had a Weakness,” from “The Juliet Letters,” released in 1993. The songwriting is credited Elvis Costello’s birth name.

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Written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Robinson, MA/MFA

Twitter: @slowdragremedy

Email: slowdragwithremedy@gmail.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, I Almost Had a Weakness: http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php/I_Almost_Had_A_Weakness

“I Almost Had a Weakness”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITvtRUO2qPg

“Watch Your Step” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvgIbU-I7-M  

Sour Grapes: https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/sour+grapes

Aesop’s “The Fox and The Sour Grapes” Parable: https://fablesofaesop.com/the-fox-and-the-grapes.html  

"I Almost Had a Weakness" Lyrics:

Thank you for the flowers
I threw them on the fire
And I burned the photographs that you had enclosed
God, they were ugly children
So you're that little bastard of that brother of mine
Trying to trick a poor old woman
'Til I almost had a weakness

Last week Cousin Florence bit your Uncle Joe
Hit him on the forehead with a knife and a fork
Said that he looked like the devil
Then she said... "pass the vinegar", I'm beginning to think
That I'm the only one who hasn't taken to the drinking of it
Though I almost had a weakness

It pains me to mention
These delicate concerns
But while I have to tolerate you family jewels
I really mustn't grumble
'Cause when I die, the cats and dogs will jump up and down
And you little swines will get nothing
Though I almost had a weakness

Today’s slow drag is with “The Loved Ones,” from “Imperial Bedroom,” released in 1982. The songwriting is credited Elvis Costello.

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Written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Robinson, MA/MFA

Twitter: @slowdragremedy

Email: slowdragwithremedy@gmail.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, The Loved Ones: http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php/The_Loved_Ones

“The Loved Ones”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G5RWMzuuY0

30 Best Basslines: https://www.musicradar.com/news/the-30-best-basslines-of-all-time

“Stitched up” Idiom: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/stitch-up

@ElvisCostello tweets his own lyrics: https://twitter.com/ElvisCostello/status/898197736922783745

The meaning and origin of “the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker”: https://wordhistories.net/2018/11/17/butcher-baker-candlestickmaker/

Episode 14 of Slow Drag with Remedy: “Silly Beggars Can’t Be Choosers,” a slow drag with “Pidgin English,” also on “Imperial Bedroom”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/14-silly-beggars-cant-be-choosers/id1478037117?i=1000455095065

"The Loved Ones" Lyrics

Don't get smart or sarcastic
He snaps back just like elastic
Spare us the theatrics and the verbal gymnastics
We break wise guys just like matchsticks

What would the loved ones say

(Your pride and joy is all blown up)

What would the loved ones say

(The bride and boy are barely grown up)

You're not my particular poison
I've got nothing against you myself
You could have been a danger to the boys and girls
Now you're a danger to yourself

Chorus:
Oh what would the loved ones say
What would the loved ones say
Oh what would the loved ones say
What would the loved ones say

The ugly little dreams run 'round your bed
The ugly little scenes, you get the needle and no thread
They stitched you up this time
They said you'll do
Then bitch about your pretty face turning ugly on you

The butcher, baker and the bassline maker
Saying you can leave her I can take her
You spend your whole life like a minute or two later
One day its going to end sooner than greater

What would the loved ones say

(He'll be remembered young and pretty)

What would the loved ones say?

(Now he's a hit in every city)

Now there's a name well never forget
There's one born every minute or two
Don't pin a medal on me yet
They might be waiting for you

(Chorus)

PPS I LOVE YOU

Today’s slow drag is with “Peace in Our Time,” from “Goodbye Cruel World,” released in 1984. The songwriting is credited to a 30-year-old Elvis Costello.

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Appreciation written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Robinson

Twitter: @slowdragremedy

Email: slowdragwithremedy@gmail.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, Peace in Our Time: http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php/Peace_In_Our_Time

“Peace in Our Time”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xwgm_O1jh0

“Peace in Our Time” Solo live Performance w/ slightly different lyrics: https://youtu.be/AY_Lw53udq8 (extended version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dJH5IqUxrw )

Heston Aerodrome arrival of Neville Chamberlain: https://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675035713_Neville-Chamberlain_reads-the-paper_plane-lands-and-taxis_greeted-by-friends

Britain’s Gesture of Peace (1938) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGG9YT4YXuE

Britain’s Appeasement: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/ztydcwx/revision/1

Munich Agreement: https://www.britannica.com/event/Munich-Agreement

"Peace in Our Time" Lyrics:

Out of the airplane stepped Chamberlain with a condemned man's stare
But we all cheered wildly, a photograph was taken,
As he waved a piece of paper in the air
Now the Disco Machine lives in Munich and we are all friends
And I slip on my Italian dancing shoes as the evening descends

And the bells take their toll once again in victory chime
And we can thank God that we've finally got peace in our time

There's a man going round taking names no matter who you claim to be
As innocent as babies, a mad dog with rabies, you're still a part of some conspiracy
Meanwhile there's a light over the ocean burning brighter than the sun
And a man sits alone in a bar and says "Oh God, what have we done?"

And the bells take their toll once again in victory chime
And we can thank God that we've finally got peace in our time

They're lighting a bonfire upon every hilltop in the land (In England)
Just another tiny island invaded when he's got the whole world in his hands
And the Heavyweight Champion fights in the International Propaganda Star Wars
There's already one spaceman in the White House what do you want (the same one again) another one for?

And the bells take their toll once again in victory chime
And we can thank God that we've finally got peace in our time

A heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Elvis Costello and the Imposters for winning the 2020 Grammy award for the “Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album” of the year for their smoldering “Look Now.” What a tremendous talent, so deserving of all his many accolades.

Written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Robinson, MA/MFA

Twitter: @slowdragremedy

Email: slowdragwithremedy@gmail.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

Today’s slow drag is with “Men Called Uncle,” from “Get Happy!!,” released in 1980. The songwriting is credited to Elvis Costello.

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Appreciation written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Robinson, MA/MFA

Twitter: @slowdragremedy

Email: slowdragwithremedy@gmail.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, Men Called Uncle: http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php/Men_Called_Uncle  

“Men Called Uncle”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28I74ME2--4

“Girls, Girls, Girls” Liner notes: http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php/Girls_Girls_Girls_(1989)_liner_notes

Podchaser review page: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/slow-drag-with-remedy-910893

"Man Called Uncle" Lyrics:

Now there's newsprint all over your face
Well maybe that's why I can read you like a book
Just when I thought I was getting my tasty bite
I go and lose my appetite

Look at the men that you'd call uncle
They'd like to sink their teeth into you
For the pride and the pleasure
And the privilege of having you

If I say you're the one, do you think that I'm serious?
You get that kind of talk from older men
If I say I love you then I must be delirious
So why are you trying to put my temperature up again?

Look at the men that you'd call uncle
Having a heart attack round your ankles

When you wake up with X-rated eyes
When you wake up still shaking
How can I apologize
As you check your effects and check your reflection
I'm so affected in the face of your affection

Look at the men that you'd call uncle
Having a heart attack round your ankles

I could swear, I could promise that I'll always be true to you
But we may not live to be so old
I could even say I'm going to do something new to you
Now the girls I see just leave me cold

Look at the men that you call uncle...

Today’s slow drag is with “Needle Time,” from “The Delivery Man,” released in 2004. The songwriting is credited to Elvis Costello.

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Appreciation written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Robinson, MA/MFA

Twitter: @slowdragremedy

Email: slowdragwithremedy@gmail.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource: http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php/Needle_Time

“Needle Time” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldJnWS2gUBM

References:

Elvis Costello Awarded O.B.E. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/elvis-costello-obe-queens-honors-services-to-music-845936/

Elvis Costello response to OBE https://www.elviscostello.com/#!/news/298460

Understanding the British Honors System & Knighthood: https://blog.eftours.com/tours/british-honours-system-knighthood

The Musicians’ Union: A History (1893 – 2013): https://www.muhistory.com/hang-the-dj-the-musicians-union-and-the-early-days-of-radio-1/

“Some Songs That Must Have Been Overlooked”:

Part one: “Oliver’s Army”

Part two: “Tramp the Dirt Down”

Part three: “Stick out your Tongue”

Part four: “Tokyo Storm Warning”

Part five: “New Lace Sleeves”

Part six: “Shipbuilding”

Ending with “and now a word from our sponsors” “Less Than Zero.”

“Cheap Reward” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FK4h3dazfw

“Cheap Reward” Lyric page http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php/Cheap_Reward

“Better out than in” idiom: https://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/45/messages/329.html

"Needle Time" Lyrics:

I wish that I didn't hate you
Least not as much as I do
And squander all my contempt for
A little nothing like you
Liars like you are ten-a-penny
Women would slap you, if you knew any
Sometimes I feel just like committing a crime

I've got this suitcase of phony wisdom to dispense
These twenty-seven or so years
How you'd think I would have made them some cents
Now they want me fingerprinted like I was smuggling drugs
While the government does deals with the most convenient thugs
Sometimes I feel just like committing a crime
It's Needle Time

It’s needle time

I'm trying not to despise you with a passion that's hard to extinguish
Or maybe I really love you although it's hard to distinguish
I wish I could be more like a saint is
Forgiving those who trespass against us
Sometimes I feel just like committing a crime

I started talking nonsense, just like I did to begin with
Around the time I tired of those sour English
Sometimes I feel just like committing a crime
It's Needle Time