Elvis Costello: Couldn't Call It Unexpected

[@paulvh84]

A brilliant, haunting song. Possibly EC's #1 tune. And this particular performance of it is one of the sickest things on KZbin.

[@garymckechnietelevision5785]

Beautiful. One of the most unforgettable moments in a show came when I saw Elvis in Jacksonville. He asked 2,500 people for silence as his band left the stage and, when he was alone at the apron, the audience got louder... and louder. He gestured for them to be silent but the tension was too much. And they got louder... and louder again. I thought he'd call it a day and bring the band back but he just stood there without a word. Eventually everyone got the message and shouts of "Quiet!" and "Shhhhh!!!!" bounced around the hall until there was pure silence. He had complete control of the room and only then did he launch into an a cappella version of 'Allison'. Two minutes later, everyone was breathless and spent and in awe of what they had witnessed. Magic.

[@artistak1]

I saw Elvis did this at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in 1999. It was the last song of the show after 4 encores. It was unbelievable that he played total 39 songs and the show finished at 11:40 pm. The people waited to see Elvis for sign, photos, handshake and he literary did meet all people who lined up very nicely and friendly. It was probably 100 or more people. I couldn't believe how nice he was.

[@alanstrickland]

Massey Hall, Toronto 1999 - he did the same thing. I'll never forget that moment!!

[@qlyde1]

I think Elvis is mostly credited for being a great lyricist but songs like this remind you of how talented he is. This has to rank among the most beautiful melodies in modern music.

[@nessieg23]

I've known this song for nearly 30 years now and although I liked it, I didn't consider it one of his finest. But as age increases and mortality, not just one's own but that of everyone we know and love, becomes real (you couldn't call it unexpected) I finally 'get' the beauty and power of this song. How could someone not even 40 write with such understanding of the dilemma we will all face? That's part of the fun of Elvis Costello - never ending surprises.

[@Oh_I_Will]

I’ve been listening for 50 years and generally that’s the case with tons of tunes....you start out not liking, then liking and vice versa. It’s not just this one song, it’s a common thread

[@nessieg23]

@@Oh_I_Will true that

[@danneumann3274]

Im a huge elvis fan but this song flew under my radar when it came out. his music just keeps on giving. Im always finding songs from 20 years ago that are fantastic but I didnt appreciate at the time. How is He not the greatest songwriter ever. The shear volume of work he has done is In my opinion unmatched.

[@kellysmith2552]

One of his best songs. Saw him perform this at Madison Square Garden in 91 and for me, it was easily the highlight of the concert. A bit of a strange setlist on that show, a large group of Kojak Variety songs in the middle of the show which befuddled quite a few of my fellow concert goers, and myself, as that LP wouldn't be released for another 4 years and a lot of the songs were unfamiliar. I believe it had been recorded before Mighty Like a Rose, so that might explain it. Still, a great show, beard and all. And the Replacements opened for him, can't beat that! For all those EC fans who seem to dismiss anything he recorded after 1982, give this track a good, long listen. It's EC at his best.

[@peterclarke6191]

I saw him do this at the Wiltern in LA. When he walked into the crowd sans mic and just goddamn belted it out, it just blew my doors. So happy I looked for this and found it again. He’s a treasure.

[@deerfried]

Same. At the Beacon Theatre, NYC, about 20 years ago.

[@markb216]

@@deerfried Yes!

[@benmeltzer]

1999? If so, I was there too.

[@anything6able]

One of the most beautiful songs I've every heard Elvis sing,brings a tear to my eye everytime

[@brianjcorby]

a remarkable performance... he's such a remarkable artist, i saw him do this same song sans mic to close a show at the Beacon Theatre i guess it was 1998 or 99... just stunning... i've also seen him do some others without the mic..... he is such a great performer and his connection to the audience is so essential to him -

[@richardscott8503]

Costello solo, or just with Steve, is amongst the purest in person singing you can ever experience. I was so lucky to see him on solo tours in North America and England in the 80s. This reminds me of that. Jesus, he can be incredible.

[@runninglikewind]

The staggering thing about this song and performance is how 'little known' it is - this a great great song and performance - well done on posting this gem

[@Oh_I_Will]

runninglikewind this on and Sweet Pear from Mighty are gold...

[@MarkBrasuellArtist]

One of my favorite EC songs. So emotional. Right up there with This House is Empty Now

[@dk7934]

He did this at the Massey Hall concert in Toronto back in the day. No mic and no music. Totally A cappella. I remember the lead singer of the Tragically Hip, the late great Gord Downie sat behind me. We sat in awe listening to Costello belt it out. Everyone did. It was an almost religious experience. It felt like church.

[@benjaminfargen]

simply magical...so much talent and brilliant songwriting throughout his entire career.

[@river4462]

His voice is so real and special💖🌺

[@originalsynthesist2268]

One of my very favorite songs and lyrics. Glad he still esteems it.

[@nixonradio]

Beautiful. This was my favourite song on Extreme Honey, and later my favourite song when I got the actual Mighty Like A Rose album, but this is just epic. Thank you for sharing!

[@herb1309]

truly art

[@23grover]

This has remained one of my personal top 10 for over 20 years. Such a special song.

[@runninglikewind]

This song is something of a disaster for any budding song writers. It is just too good. You think to yourself 'Why bother?' I will never be able to compete with this song and that is if I live to 1,000,000 years and write 10 songs everyday. Come on Elvis give us some space. Quite quite brilliant and the performance is quite amazing as well. He is just way too good and it is not fair :)

[@buy11dan]

Wonderful

[@anything6able]

This song brings a tear to my eyes.Brilliant!!!

[@Tallpaulus]

I saw him do this acapella at a gig in Liverpool many years ago. Absolutely spine-tingling.

[@guillermoibanezdealdecoa7384]

¡Maravilloso! Gigante Elvis Costello. Canta al amor como los Ángeles. Gracias

[@deborahsuewho]

I was there. It was sublime.

[@jayroc86]

This reminds me the day of my dad's funeral.

[@MrMightyarmadillo]

I saw him perform this song unplugged and a capella (Though he was touring with Steve Nieve, he did not join him on stage for this song) at Medowbrook Music Theater in Michigan on June 15, 1999. It was the most beautiful performance I've ever seen at one of his shows! It almost brought tears to my eyes.

[@runninglikewind]

this is up there in my top 10 songs of all time. Elvis is a great song writer, performer and singer

[@Cosmos_Dancer]

Perfection.

[@iannottingham1709]

Still quote this as being the most impressive thing I've seen performed live, and I've seen many. Cardiff 1999, his un-mic'd voice filled the 2000 seater auditorium. Lonely World Tour.

[@mattsombrano3786]

What is amazing...is on the album it seems like a secondary track...but live it is stupendous...i remember seeing him on your and telling my friend this song was the highlighrbof the show...he was incredulous...2 night's later he saw him in concert and said...OMG, you were right!!!

[@TonyKerridge]

My God. Sublime.

[@Christianna73]

Love this ~ Thank-you.

[@ldpolicelli]

Simply brilliant... Now I can lay my head down and let those weary thoughts slip into the sleep...

[@eugenemorice8545]

The orchestral version of this was used for the UK early 90's TV series " GBH"... and its brilliant !

[@thomasandersen6719]

what a voice

[@bwagner23]

thank you for uploading this. i sat in my room and watched this live on tv as a teenager and it still has just as much of an effect on me as it did then. i was lucky enough to hear him perform this a few years later w/ the nashville symphony orchestra. he sang OVER an orchestra w/ no mic. amazing.

[@auggdogrules]

love this version and the albums circus like music version,pretty sad song and lyrics,just brilliant elvis of course......

[@ieronimo18]

Amazing voice, amazing songwriter.

[@petertorrey236]

Perfect voice for his perfect music.

[@frankinbklyn]

Such a beautiful song.....

[@nickwardmusic]

One of my faves too :o)

[@wendellww]

he did this outside of Detroit ( pine knob) a few years back too. we were surprised when they turned off the power after a second encore and then he feigned surprise and sang this song beautifully as a terrific closer

[@amogasidi]

Right on! Knowing is important. Anyone can play make believe. Groups band together to play make believe. Knowledge is personal.

[@UncleRemus1510]

Life just got better.

[@johndavidsoh7472]

Underated!

[@musicbybackinnyc1]

awesome

[@Stiglr]

IMHO, *the* finest lyricist of the 20th century. Yes, I rank him above Lennon & McCartney, above Dylan, above them all. Elvis can even write a song you're not sure of the meaning of, yet it hits you in the feels anyway.

[@ThisLittleShow]

@maney2001 This my all time favourite ever too, great minds :-)

[@randypanthegoatboy7114]

November-December, 2016

[@PaulCassidyOrchestrations]

Apparently there's only one Elvis. When in fact there are actually two. I love them both but the truth is the Costello pisses all over the Presley.

[@trappistpreserves]

To be fair, you can't really compare them. Elvis Presley was of a different time. You know people who heard him on the radio thought he was black? That was a very serious issue back then. Not that it's not serious today. Elvis Presley crossed boundaries with his music and his movement, it had a huge influence on popular music and culture. Elvis Costello is a completely different animal from a different time (and country). But they are both fabulous!

[@Oh_I_Will]

@@trappistpreserves oh stop with that...what people listening on the radio thought...nobody cares...both have recorded great great music

[@trappistpreserves]

@@Oh_I_Will Oh, nobody cares about the history of music and racism? Remain in your ignorance, then you silly boy.

[@lastangelman]

Oh, you think that's bad for other songwriters? Elvis has to constantly try to top himself or else he'll be considered past his prime or coasting