ELVIS COSTELLO - Watching The Detectives (1978)

Koln, Germany 15-06-78.

[@jfkesq]

This is true genius. Every one of them is taking chances with just about every single note.

[@johnb4024]

Keyboards are phenominal

[@seandrew7837]

Excellent critique.

[@Peter-xy2io]

Accurate and succinct - well put.

[@amandaharris726]

Greetings literal letters, the year is 1969 or 1996 H2O.

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

True genuis? How do you know? Is genuis your middle name?

[@ieronimo18]

My God is this a masterpiece. How do you sit down and come up with these lyrics? He could have retired the day after he recorded this and still have been worthy of the Rock'N'Roll Hall of Fame.

[@primebeef3938]

This version should be in a Smithsonian, to be preserved.

[@hoover728]

He had his first album written but then heard the Clash’s first album. He stayed up all night listening to it, then wrote this and started his album from scratch.

[@beaudure01]

Filing her nails while they’re dragging the lake - you’ll never find a better line than that.

[@KC-mg2pk]

@@beaudure01 True..'til his next incredible lyric

[@donaldwebb]

big dylan influence

[@bscepter]

"She's filing her nails while they're dragging the lake." One of the great malevolent lines of all time.

[@lupodelupis3672]

Good for a 50's noir.

[@blakketmusik4556]

Could you please explain the phrase "Dragging the lake" ? (English is not my first language)

[@SuperMrsbyrne]

@@blakketmusik4556 when someone is missing presumed dead the police will eventually go to the nearest river or lake and search with underwater divers. This is called dragging the lake.

[@bscepter]

@@blakketmusik4556 Police literally "drag" a lake with nets and other devices to locate a dead body.

[@blakketmusik4556]

@@bscepter thank you

[@ieronimo18]

Everybody recognizes that Elvis is one of the best and most prolific songwriters ever. What goes underappreciated is that he is also an amazing guitar player.

[@luannabbate2624]

Deserves to be inthe Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. F... all who don't recognize him!!!!!

[@ieronimo18]

@@luannabbate2624 Elvis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016.

[@wilfredoramirez728]

Really was no rhythm player and I was never a fan of the organ sounded like the Doors but way different great songs great band "The Attractions my younger sister turned me on when he came out but I started listening more 💯

[@danneumann3274]

I would say hes a far better songwriter than Dylan although Costello is far less important. It was all about timing. Elvis has written far more songs and has never stopped writing good songs.

[@cesarelombroso6735]

The best version of this song that I have seen or heard. The intro with the feedback, and EC's attitude is badass.

[@tomfaulkner6616]

He looks a bit on edge!

[@cesarelombroso6735]

@@tomfaulkner6616 Yeah he does.

[@Beechmere27]

Has one of the greatest ever lyrics in music: “I don’t know how much more of this I can take. She’s filing her nails while they’re dragging the lake.”

[@okrajoe]

Still great to watch in 2024 after 40+ years!

[@othgmark1]

I was in the midst of a musical depression when this came out. Disco was everywhere it seemed that FM had gone to all prog rock and l was wondering why l even had a stereo. Then this came on my car stereo as l was driving with my best friend. When the song ended we just stared at each other for a moment and decided to immediately go buy the album. Elvis kicked open the door to the incredible decade of music that followed. I still can't think of anyone else that released three incredible albums in succession at the start of their career.

[@shanec9325]

Poor you, you liked the boring no talent stuff haha

[@othgmark1]

@@shanec9325 and you are a judge of talent why? If you don't like Elvis Costello l question if you have any taste or experience with music. If you are just another troll gfy.

[@joelbizzell1386]

I love Elvis, but also the prog-y stuff. And even disco. I have favorites, sure. (Elvis here among them.) But I can find something to love in every single genre. I think the greatest disservice one can do themselves is to shut themselves away completely from any of it.

[@taylorgriggs8772]

@@joelbizzell1386 100%

[@drmidnight2419]

@@othgmark1 you don't know what rock and roll is all about.

[@philipatoz]

Great, GREAT song! The Attractions could really play, they were exceptionally tight. But it all started with the genius of Elvis' song writing. Every once in a while, an artist far transcends the genre it is marketed in - E and the Attractions are just such a case. The band is just so inventive and tasteful - no matter how far out there they get in improvising, they stay true to the song and amazingly tie it all into a polished whole.

[@josephgurzynski1053]

Extremely well put!!! it's so hard to be able to play a musical instrument well. But u gotta have the tunes.... Well done.

[@JAMESANDERSON-fy8qh]

Totally agree my man. Feels on the edge of chaos the whole time while being as tight as

[@joedambrosio5423]

Absolutely one of the most underrated artists of all time. And I never lost interest.

[@user-rc1fi5gz6g]

He's not underrated

[@marshwetland3808]

@@user-rc1fi5gz6g Only by the slugs who only understand one-note, three-chord songs. Just heard about some wretched song called Mr. Brightside. Yeah, easy to "sing" along to, but why would you want to? Thanks, David Bennett

[@Timothytwister]

this is my all-time favorite version of his song!

[@joethelion6016]

I'm not surprised

[@sarahsafaie8688]

ah this version is INCREDIBLE.

[@lupodelupis3672]

The passion that mr. Declan MacManus put in his music! He's a great songwriter!

[@rgbplumbinghilton]

This is a phenomenal version!! Lots of risk and the rawness is fantastic

[@themanof1000voices]

A master lyricist at his peak. So glad I caught Elvis, the Clash, the Police, U2, Echo & the Bunnymen and so many other great live acts during their prime. This song is a gem, particularly with the Attractions adding such perfect accompaniment behind him.

[@threadbear]

Elvis Costello was one of those artists who wasn't quite like anybody else.

[@supplican]

“Was”?

[@avandguard]

listen to this compared to the richly produced radio version is a treat. This band was fantastic

[@shanec9325]

You think that is fantastic?! Apparently you've never heard real music... poor you

[@BroForce426]

@@shanec9325 we get it dude, you hate Elvis Costello. Let us live our own lives

[@eld1768]

I can't believe I just stumbled across the video. I have been a fan of the album version of the song since my daughter introduced me to Elvis in the early 80s. I am 76 years old and my daughter (46) and son (49) and I have been sharing music for years. Awesome video!

[@ImAdapt73]

Never take this down. This is a regular stop for me. :)

[@eddieburrelli]

Hear, hear!

[@philstrange6789]

Me too

[@Johntb100]

yes too powerful.

[@badcp455]

Same.

[@stoopid79]

Flipping powerfull, everyone is top of thier game! x

[@canadianstudmuffin]

One of the most underrated artists of all time. I was a huge fan for years but slowly lost interest...but he's one of the greats for sure.

[@thehauntedfisherman1792]

+Canadian Studmuffin oh hell yeah!

[@Johntb100]

+Canadian Studmuffin How true

[@dustinhope9117]

boy is in space and was probably very dhydrated lol the had the pure shit then

[@robertg56a]

How can you lose interest? He's really the only artist I've followed and anticipated every release for the last 40 years. Yes, I was disappointed with some, but he still retains the possibility to amaze me. No one else does.

[@thegoodbadmusic]

Spot on. Unfortunately the world and the industry have changed for the worst. Imagine if someone tried to release a single with an instrumental intro a minute long today.

[@ed.z.]

Elvis Costello saved music for many of us for many decades. Thank you.

[@TDTShadowFox3134]

I wonder if he watches this, and revels in the moment of this creative genius captured in live performance. Holy! Keyboards are boss, and Elvis's mullet - Top Mullet. Best mullet ever rocked. I'm in awe.

[@TheGodParticle]

TDT ShadowFox nah, iva davies from icehouse wears the Crown for King mullet. Just check out the video, Crazy. And also make sure your sitting down as you could faint at super mullet over exposure.

[@oliveeisner8964]

ummm. Bowie 1973. end of story

[@badcp455]

I would.

[@themersh4064]

Not really a mullet, more like a mudflap

[@rickrothstein805]

I never really was much of a fan, but lately I've been checking him out here on KZbin. I've become an instant fan. I love his style!

[@badcp455]

Same here. Reminds me of Glassjaw.

[@laymonite]

This performance is amazing.

[@tsopuaifa]

With music like this you don't need parents.

[@tsopuaifa]

I know I keep coming back to this but it's so amazing. Almost 40 years ago and still noone has expressed this more clearly.

[@dididylan-pena6597]

jajajajajja😂

[@spinningreelsofrhyme]

LOL!

[@mariannesouza8326]

😂 🎶

[@mariannesouza8326]

@szs voc 😂

[@magnusodin817]

My big brother took me to see him when he did his first U. S. tour at the Tower Theatre in Philly. I listen to this and then the hip hop shit the kids listen to today and just will never get it.

[@LauraBlack-rp8js]

Yes, I was there and it was awesome. I lost some punk buttons off my denim jacket that night. So great.

[@leostgeorge2080]

Pulling your eyes out with a face like a magnet LMAO gatta love it. The '70's wore awesome. Great time to be a teen. The jagged '60's set the stage for the smoothness of the '70's Life is a rock and the radio rolled it!

[@steevreeves]

elvis costello plays with incredible swagger. such a great band. love these guys.

[@luannabbate2624]

They don't make true poet, musicans like this these days. These days there's no depth. Back when he came out, I wore the albums out.!!!

[@dunewalks5988]

Amen brother!!!

[@luannabbate2624]

An Artist like his woudn't stand a chanche these days. How sad!!!!

[@mindriot69]

DAMN!!!❤ DOUBLE DAMN!!!❤❤ Elvis was always at his best WITH The Attractions. This video is priceless. Thank you for posting!!! ✌🏾❤️🎸🍄

[@joethelion6016]

I have every Costello album so it's hard to pick favourites, but this ...... it's simply a masterpiece ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@TheOldGord]

Miss those years. Elvis, The Talking Heads, Joe Jackson, The Cars, The Clash and many more, lifting us up out of the depression that was the 70’s disco era.

[@jerardnorgren3411]

The Tubes, Devo, the Police

[@LauraBlack-rp8js]

You're speaking my language

[@penneymoore6220]

Yes! Our music.

[@OzFrog48Z]

1978 through1985, the best era in music. Don't forget The Pretenders.

[@VIncentSunflowers]

"She's filing her nails while they're dragging the lake...'' Wow!

[@IETCHX69]

Mellis . I like yer use of noir.... it is yours. light it up.

[@AlphaGoII]

Philip Marlowe - Raymond Chandler

[@mikegriggs442]

Yes, one of the great lines of all time, followed closely by "it only took my little fingers to blow you away'.

[@theshadowxoxo]

Best lyric ever 🖤

[@thewhoman3182]

Easily one of the best lyricists of the 20th century.

[@brianbill1]

Chills! The feeling you get when you discover a gem like this after Watching The Detectives has been my favourite song of all time. This is a whole new song. I'm in the clouds right now.

[@clairejohnson6522]

Are you still in the clouds? If so I'm right there with you! Everything about this song is sublime and the lyrics poetry.

[@joethelion6016]

Steve Nieve, nobody else sounds quite like him 🖤💙🖤

[@thejohnson9204]

Damn, this performance was ahead of its time.

[@joethelion6016]

It's brilliant but it's very much of its time. When live music was good

[@BenbGallaher]

This has got to be one of the best live ensembles in mainstream rock music. So arresting.

[@marcbelanger4504]

1978 was such a great year for music!

[@jerardnorgren3411]

J Geils, Pablo Cruise. Boston, Alan Parsons Project, Foreigner, The Cars.

[@joethelion6016]

I'm so grateful I was in my late teens in the late 70's and in my 20's right through the 1980's 🥳🎉🍾🎈

[@MichaelA-mn1pz]

👮

[@alansdorsetfossils4028]

I always listen to this song when I've had a drink and I watch the whole band and the effort they put in. Amazing song.

[@modette69er]

Great intro. Brilliant lyrics. Amazing singer.

[@GeriCiacchiBallandChain]

Awesome live performance

[@TeamBergsteiger]

Elvis Costello at his creative peak - unbridled, unbought.

[@somehuman1805]

I heard this from a tv show called izombie and damn am I glad. I can't believe I've never heard of Elvis before. He's awesome.

[@archstanton7137]

+Felicity Foo There's also Presley

[@somehuman1805]

Arch Stanton​ lmao ofc I've heard of Elvis Presley. He's probably the most famous musician of his time

[@TheMarcusMasm]

+Felicity Foo I heard it from iZombie too. I came to see it and it's really a great song

[@lornavictoriafr]

Very true but he didn't last for long

[@martinigasolini4062]

Nobody cares where you heard it, this damn trend needs to stop.

[@texanbill6032]

Such a great song. Pete Thomas is killing those drums!

[@plezhurhouse]

This is a truly awesome performance! Been following his career since as far back as 1980--he only got better!

[@sammyhawkins5590]

Can't even imagine the skill and passion of this today. Its totally unbelievable

[@nsilver61]

I stopped listening to ec back in 86, but i absolutely loved tthis version of the man: the tunes, the terse lyrics, the vocals, This Years Model era Attractions, the artistic vision, the look. Absolutely iconic.

[@kellyhopkins5576]

I like this raw and unpolished version better than the original cut.

[@thejohnson9204]

Yes Kelly, it is obscenely good.

[@whinstonwhoodle6373]

Absolutely. Always the way. Locking everything to a metronome loses the live magic. The time signature needs a bit of ebb and flow with the song.

[@twinoaks51]

It only took my little fingers to blow you away This song blows me away, but then a lot of Elvis & Attractions stuff does.

[@Abegoldhatch]

Best Elvis ever! Best guitarist, stylist, musician ever!

[@joethelion6016]

This performance is excellent, suitably sinister. Beautifully done. I'm fortunate enough to have seen Costello live four times.

[@bojanboskovic6744]

Just 'cause you can't see me don't mean I gone away...

[@bojanboskovic6744]

"Mix a little foolishness with your serious plans. It's lovely to be silly at the right moment." Horace

[@JohmathanBSwift]

Great one

[@IonaJuneNortje9]

Tremendous Truth in your Quote, we must have Some Fun in between our Grim lives. I am Sincerely Delighted that you have not gone away!. Thank you for Cheering us on!.

[@EvangelineDamblin]

Bojan Boskovic Bonjour, Bojan, passe un très beau dimanche et un beau début de semaine, de gros bisous. Une très belle et douce journée

[@thehauntedfisherman1792]

+Bojan Boskovic ..yep.

[@MoiraRussell]

The guy on the Cheez-5000 Synthmaster is on FIRE. He is impressive.

[@colinbutler6484]

Shes filing her nails while they're dragging the lake. I LOVE THIS SONG.

[@TheTimmyH]

Class!...really spoilt in that late 70's early 80's period, so much talent!

[@rjmachin]

Utterly stupendous performance from, at that time, the best band in the world. World-class sweating too...

[@moodyonroody5313]

wonder if he covered his face with glycerin now haha

[@tomfaulkner6616]

Attractions were red hot live in those late 70s performances.

[@potatojoe370]

​@@moodyonroody5313I wouldn't put it past him to add that to the performance of this song..easy to do and I do in a performance.

[@timostegemann5591]

Saw them in Sweden 1979... amazing..

[@lextual]

My band does this song. This afternoon I told my singer/guitarist to sing this song with menace. I'm not really certain he was totally understanding what I meant. I will forward THIS to him. I need him to hang up his soul in the closet. It will be there when he's done with the song.

[@thejohnson9204]

Well said brother. This song needs to be done with an obscure intensity.

[@The1WhoKnowsTheTruth]

Its called FEEL and it cannot be teached or told.

[@thegoodbadmusic]

Awesome track. I love the self indulgent minute long intro. Gone are the days when bands wrote songs for their own enjoyment and if people liked it that was great. Nowadays tracks are written with sales And marketability in mind. This was genuine art.

[@haroldcheeseburger]

Words cannot describe this one.

[@jerardnorgren3411]

What's wrong with this guy? "There's something wrong with me, there's something seriously wrong with me?"

[@rollyknevels3570]

Nothing is wrong. This is not a problem. I can find the words : “You have got to have heart” And - “I could die at any moment”

[@haroldcheeseburger]

I like these options… thank you for reminding me how great this moment wuzz. How about - “when my knees hurt i like to stand” ?

[@powershop1903]

Hard to believe this is 34 years old. Amazing

[@juanelorriaga2840]

Epic! I remember my older brothers playing this as kids just hangin on NY streets,also they never make songs like this anymore

[@chantalmassicotte3934]

I love the grittiness of this song...and the way Elvis sings it. Amazing!

[@davidcrowder2761]

Thank you so much for your comment and continues support 🎶 I appreciate it, god bless you and stay safe 😷

[@Thecompleteplayerseries]

sweat and tears will do, keep the blood.....He's one of the best songwriters ever...listen

[@johnking6252]

A strange wonderful time for music , some of it so excellent, some of it so trash, the following decade reminds me of watching the detective.... love the MADness. ✌️👍

[@basketburger]

Magnificent performance

[@nongfabeats9468]

literally one of the greatest songs ever

[@williamblakeslee4727]

I can't believe I needed to be reminded how much I love this song. Hadn't heard it in. Maybe 4 or 5 years. Then somehow I got a reference to it while reading about something different. Thank goodness, now I can Play this video over and over for about a month.

[@shortwidgets]

One of the best live voices.

[@beaverfan5560]

Just saw him live Saturday night!! Amazing and loud!! 🙂

[@insaneukrainian]

Steve Nieve, the keyboardist, was a whopping 20 years old. Insane.

[@BellardB]

My absolute favorite performance of this song. Simply amazing!

[@brownhouse16]

Fabulous. Raw. Real on the edge.

[@josephgurzynski1053]

"Fear is here to stay. Love is here for a visit." Fantastic all around.....

[@ginotheidoldesigner994]

Holy cow! This was intense!

[@goldsmice]

Bruce Thomas's walking bass lines on this version are even better than the reggae type bass lines on the original version, which were also great.

[@tonys2701]

I really like this version.

[@ronankerrigan7821]

every word is a slap in the face demanding your attention

[@IETCHX69]

It's been a year . You never found an argument...

[@murraystenhouse2811]

This song... is so good.

[@stuartcalderwood5538]

This version just blew my mind, totally. Keep on boys!!!!

[@Enohead]

Steve Nieve is amazing.

[@gordonm.7387]

Demented performance of an amazing song. Dylan in 1966 vibe, but also a Hendrix Machine Gun style. Creepy keyboards like The Doors. I love Film Noir and Reggae. This song packs in so much, Elvis was a nut back then, he probably still is!

[@marconi451]

Angry young El. Classic. And the bass line's great.

[@jimtheskim]

Elvis at his creative peak,unbridled and unbought. Playing a genre,that has clearly been self taught Thirty four years hence,yet still unique and so Far out, This Irishman,s raw talent is so immense without a doubt!

[@holdenrains]

Best lyric and meter of late 20th century pop. Masterful, prosaic.

[@jhackett9482]

Masterpiece!!!

[@boygeniuz]

pure talent and amazing presence from this lot

[@AJ-oc5eh]

love the brilliance of it. the true godfather of punk

[@bobhadland2554]

If only we could go back in time absolutely brilliant.

[@davidsavell5398]

Beyond brilliant...beyond genius ..

[@paul-1875]

can`t beat this

[@user-rc1fi5gz6g]

Yes, one of the greatest songs ever

[@joeysn7hvn]

Watching the Defectives..(great tune , really cool version)

[@lawrenceadams1649]

Wow Wonderful loved it

[@cyclopsNJ503]

What a performance!

[@ForestHillbillyWillie]

I can't begin to even find the words to write about this song that might do it justice; it's just no love won, it's all love lost! You don't hear greatness often, so rare it is that when it's captured live, it's truly as if one has captured lightning in a bottle! Thanks for the upload!

[@leeenfield4018]

I was sound guy for Trent Reznor band when he was in high school. Costello was a big part of the set. They spent years in my basement recording on a 4-channel TEAC. We we're so poor we recorded on one open-reel tape and dumped it to a casette for the road van. Then we overwrote the master tape with new recordings. Rinse and repeat. Myself and his old local bandmates could never find any of the casettes when he hit it big. All lost in our teenage negligence.

[@godbluffvdgg]

The bass in this has always been my favorite part...18 when this was shot...

[@pugggs]

Wow, I've never seen this version. Glad I found it! Thanks for the upload!