Elvis Costello - Watch Your Step - 1981

[@MrExcellinkus]

The man is such a freakin' genius. Brilliant, biting lyrics, deceptively lovely melody, and a 10-voice that could fill an auditorium without a mic. I've heard him do it. I finally got that it was 'from Singapore to Widnes'. Widnes is an industrial town in England. I always thought it was "Witness". Now it makes more sense.

[@danneumann3274]

old post I know, I thought the same about widnes till about 5 years ago

[@CraigHughes-bl5xs]

@@danneumann3274 I thought it was “single party witness”

[@sfshinz]

The Attractions are the most grossly underrated band of all time.

[@spencerdobkin9479]

Trust is a freaking masterpiece. One of the best albums of all time.

[@patriciofernandez2711]

"When you're drinking down the eau du cologne and you're spitting out the kodachrome" is such a brilliant and clever line about being a wreckless teenager getting wasted on the cheap stuff and then puking out a rainbow. This song is one my favourites by EC.

[@globalmonkey007]

Not likely, considering eau du cologne is a perfume. Also, "spitting out the kodachrome" is probably a reference to the Paul Simon song, Kodachrome, where the word is used as a euphemism for exaggerating or lying.

[@MrTommyShamrock]

@@globalmonkey007 That’s interesting I hadn’t linked the Kodachrome lyric to Paul Simon before. Now I’m wondering if “Widnes” is a reference to the story that Paul Simon wrote Homeward Bound at Widnes railway station when he was on tour in the UK.

[@patriciofernandez2711]

@@globalmonkey007 Eau de cologne has a minimum of 70% ethanol content. I take that line as meaning drinking whatever you have at hand and paying the price dearly

[@globalmonkey007]

@@patriciofernandez2711 I like that interpretation a lot.

[@airborneone9680]

Certainly. @patriciofernandez2711 and It's a meaningful rhyme. There's all kinds of references in ECs writing in his songs. They're wirth studying

[@victoria20nin]

I remember watching this the night my father died.....the only thing that cheered me up...thanks Elvis

[@stuartstrum8953]

The true genius in this is that he goes from a whisper to a full-throated yell, but the volume hardly changes. Masterful.

[@TheZenjj]

I'm

[@TheZenjj]

1:48 😊

[@kac56]

The most underrated performer of the past 25 years...

[@maizie45]

At least

[@artistak1]

心からその意見に同意します。

[@JoeBuongiorno-xc6nu]

Absolutely classic! Love Elvis!

[@finfan1984]

Simply an awesome performance. Steve Nieve with another great keyboard line.

[@darrellminx5459]

Life long elvis fan. This is the best version of this one of many masterpieces! Cheers

[@jaydeesss11]

I still get goose bumps listening to EC 41 years after buying Red Shoes on Stiff records. Thanks to the Man.

[@JoeBuongiorno-xc6nu]

So good!

[@Dandelionfleur]

My favorite! I always wait for the adorable smile at the end!

[@TheHughLundy]

It's the sign of a great talent when people agree that someone like Elvis can tell your story in his songs. Who of today's so called writers can match? this man the answer is None.Thank you Elvis for every song(not a single average never mind badone among them).

[@birdmansclambake]

Bassline brilliance. Every note is perfect 👍

[@cdronk]

What a great find. Thanks for sharing this little treasure with us.

[@Elvis_Fan]

One of the few live EC renditions that I prefer over the LP version. Yes, I was watching in '81. Happy 70th birthday, Elvis! This Sunday, Aug 25th.

[@deborahsuewho]

Thank you. I adore this tune and this is a great watch/listen.

[@DBJetsman]

Costello's best song! Great version of it too! Thanks for posting!

[@zetaniloticus]

And Elvis even has his Trust sunglasses on. This is awesome in so many ways.

[@ramrodou812]

i LOVE how it builds. and then softens. OOOOOOWWWW!!!

[@twinoaks51]

Yes it's great how it builds ....He's the man with the best band ever.

[@TDG7]

Just brilliant!

[@pvtrichter88]

Now looking back on this classic live what a performer who else can call himself Elvis and completely carve out his own niche as one of the great songwriters of our time ! 🎤😀

[@joefarries]

Yes,my favorite song!

[@DawnLindsay-c7i]

Love you, Elvis and always will. You've never let us down ❤

[@calebrush3833]

One of all time faves.

[@eleanorruby]

he's my all-time favorite, too. and holy shit, what a fantastic arrangement. i saw him three times last year - once for free - and each time was absolutely different. he blows my mind.

[@markogden3318]

eleanorruby

[@markogden3318]

eleanorruby ,

[@markogden3318]

eleanorruby

[@dbentleyto95]

Costello...always on his game. A true artist...have loved him since the first time I heard 'My Aim is True' Rock on Elvis!!!

[@spencerdobkin9479]

He like combines Dylan, Van Morrison and his own style. It's amazing

[@davidorocks62]

That was great! Remember watching that in college on a 12" B/W TV.

[@biohazardsoldierPMK]

I could say a lot and I do have a lot to say about him but I'm just gonna keep it short. WHAT A FREAKING DREAM BOAT!!!! As a woman with exceptional musical background, this guys got it going on. I was lucky enough to see him live and the people who were close enough tossed roses at his feet. Brought tears to my eyes. Love Him in everyway. He is awesome. And what a dreamboat!

[@electronbluepearl8591]

Completely agree! I had just seen him at the NY Palladium with Squeeze as the opening act a night or two before this. I was just about to turn 18. When I turned 50 my husband took me to see him at Madison Square Garden. He did a benefit for Teen Cancer with The Who! Another fantastic show!!! He was and still is the King!!

[@biohazardsoldierPMK]

@@electronbluepearl8591 Hello, I have to be honest and say that my mother must have left this comment on my account along time ago. I had never seen it before so thank you for showing it to me and thank you for sharing your experience as well. My mom raised me on the good music

[@electronbluepearl8591]

@@biohazardsoldierPMK yes she certainly did!!! All the best to you!

[@billyshead1339]

I love this song the lyrics are so good 😎

[@cavanmccann2134]

At the height of his career. Beautifully performed the one of the best combos ever.

[@diskochimp]

Love this song, never seen this clip before though, lovely stuff, thanks so much...

[@lewallen1971]

Love this song!

[@SirHatchporch]

Amazing performance.

[@dvepps6780]

So smooth. Beautiful vocal performance, too

[@allidock11]

Elvis Costello My eternal hall pass. Diana never needs to know!

[@paulmartin3553]

hes never been better

[@BaronKimball]

Absolutely perfect

[@miahconnell23]

His singing is so excellent and on pitch here, and it seems like this really is a real “we are actually playing this in your television studio” situation. On one hand, I kinda like it when my musical heroes make a mistake, or get a hoarse voice, or fail to hit pitch once in a while because it proves they are human. But I also LOVE it when when my favorite singers and songwriters just *CRUSH* it in a live performance

[@wpollock1]

Yes, love those. I wish someone would throw "New Lace Sleeves" up on KZbin - it was fantastic on DVD. Trust is the most underated Elvis album in my opinion. Get Happy is also underrated.

[@martindowney8737]

The best TV moment for ages. The last scene of Fargo season five. Werner Hertzog meets Minnesota.

[@rocstraz9199]

Enlightened me.

[@batsnalla]

Such a fabulous understated performance. The black and white really emphasises the cool tone.

[@twinoaks51]

Class stuff from the man.

[@RichardTetta]

The verse after the instrumental section, when he goes to the higher register, is what makes the performance.

[@MrExcellinkus]

Yeah, I got that impression too. And he did nail it!

[@timfeleppa3156]

The best thing all year

[@landlinesandpercolators8822]

Elvis the C when he was at the top of his game. I saw this way back when and recorded it onto cassette from the cheap TV! Listened to it often for years - a great version. I don't agree you go up there and do the hits note for note. He and the band are reaching back on this one and making the point.

[@TomTeeHall]

Ross T word. Somewhere along the past 35 years i misplaced my cassette of him around here from the "King Biscuit Flower Hour". Or it wire out, I forget.

[@TomTeeHall]

*wore

[@BaronKimball]

Thanks for posting this. Possibly the best live performance I have ever seen.

[@dukes0916]

Always Loved this song! Pity it got like '0' air-play in The States! Radio & TV played his more up-tempo traks. (Which don't get me wrong, I also loved!) There was always something about his music that made it sound like he was speaking directly to you! Great Stuff!

[@paul4003]

The man - you just can argue with a performance like that

[@runmusicbeer]

Quality Control of the highest order, as usual from the Man. Long may he sing.

[@Machewes]

talk about working the dynamics of a song..wow!!

[@BaronKimball]

You are young and original.

[@wpollock1]

That look at the end of the song says "I just nailed that one good"!

[@Captureman]

Good lord the keyboard parts are hypnotic. An already great song made better by an awesome low key performance. Damn does EC know how to craft a great tune.

[@wpollock1]

Wow, what a great arrangement. Wish it was better audio, but beggers can't be choosers. This was a real treat. Thanks for this!

[@markogden3318]

wpollock1

[@martindowney8737]

No wonder I always forget something when I go to the shops.

[@jasondudash5501]

Elvis Costello And The Attractions "Watch Your Step" Trust Columbia Records, 1981

[@jmm1000]

king of america that man

[@simonpalling3215]

Sublime.

[@joefarries]

i love it,thank you

[@tforthomas]

really .....words cannot discribe how really good this is....but, if you watch EC's facial expresions after the performence, it tells it all!...do you think there is emotion in this man's music and voice?

[@wwooddyy11]

I could only hope to be this this kewl for five minutes

[@claytonvernon8793]

Genius.

[@martindowney8737]

I will dare. You are the most beautiful thing in this room.

[@TheMazomi]

He reminded me of Peter Sellers when he did that. Great song anyway!

[@yummyyum36719]

Love how Pete is singing along... Bruce's riff...just kills...EC at his best emotionally... then there's Steve...greatest non guitar led band of all time.

[@andreaprodan4432]

"They're making heroes out of 4 guys who say "It's Good for Business"... no fool he.

[@jasongray4517]

Fall guys

[@teddymademesomesoup1]

great to see some good older stuff turning up i thank you

[@larshindsley3753]

Damn smooth live

[@TheUnsatisfied]

45 .. No Elvis Costello no unsatisfied

[@bill3979]

Unmistakably the young Pete on drums. Chatted with the older Pete on the tour bus last year. Lovely man.

[@sirtrevor10]

What..........a.............band. Full stop.

[@Sarvets]

hahaha I noticed that too. hes like" holy wow! I am THE MAN!"

[@joefarries]

still my favoritte

[@crapple009]

Got high withPete in the stalls after a gig- it was more like "C'mon, c'mon, I ain't got all night" as I was preparing. TMI, perhaps, but that's my Pete Thomas story. Met Steve on the tour bus and it seemed that he'd have rather been anywhere than there. He graciously signed some stuff I had brought but he is not one for small talk.

[@Hyfeiv]

this man is a religion, i believe

[@maizie45]

AMEN

[@kallek919]

Word!

[@MrExcellinkus]

I agree with the greatest songwriter ever part.

[@fredfat3128]

effortless

[@AlboMP]

wow

[@nessieg23]

albo, you are a man of taste. I'm gonna vote for you twice next time around.

[@martindowney8737]

You know that the whole world is s play.

[@MinorMeriwether]

wow that fucking fantastic

[@BaronKimball]

I read in the papers about your escape

[@randymillhouse791]

"Listen to the hammers fallin' in the bricker's yard."

[@sst3d]

Damn I’m old….

[@et2petty]

if you're young and oricinal, get before they get to watch your step.

[@michaelfebbert737]

Does anyone know the historical event that motivated this song? I never did for a long time until seeing an interview or reading one by EC

[@jameskendall9168]

Oh look here's Tom Snyder or someone playing Elvis. Yeah this is exactly what we mean in Los angeles city since '62 or so.

[@Chribinator]

Cool to see this performed. It definitely misses the cheesy keyboard during the verses. Steve Nieve is awesome!

[@martindowney8737]

I think TV has got to people.

[@pvtrichter8816]

ah Britain BRILLIANT music dreadful dentistry !! this is one of the earliest recorded appearances by Elvis i've seen him live twice!! he always delivers and that sly look at the camera tells you he knows he nailed it here as well!!

[@laopan888]

A penetrating song about the British class system, mystified by Brexit? It's all here. EC is proudest of the Rockpalast performance videos, out there and vicious.

[@GiganticRawr]

i LOVE his jazzmaster... theyve released it as a tribute, but its just not the same thing

[@paulmartin3553]

should say with the attractions

[@gregceni]

Anyone know is that Pete Thomas on the drums?

[@kallek919]

11 years later the answer would still be: Well, it is the Attractions 😉

[@ALGERIENetGAY]

is it the Buddy Holly' son?

[@theraineman21]

dont say a word...dont say anything..dont say a word im not even listenen...i read in the papers about their escape..

[@topierce]

I'm assuming that's the old Tom Snyder tv show. This is a great version of a great song. yes Wpollock Trust was underrated but not as much as Imperial Bedroom. Just as today, the industry does not know what to do with new, original artists.

[@jcdyer3]

I love this one. But non-angry? Really? Were we listening to the same song? I kept thinking the whole time I watched this that I really wouldn't have wanted to get on his bad side. Take a close look at his face the first time he says, "you'd better watch your step." There is so much menace hiding behind that line.