Elvis Costello & the Attractions- 5-song set on Countdown 1979

Songs included "Oliver's Army", "(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea", "Accidents Will Happen", "Watching The Detectives" and "You Belong To Me".
Reelin’ In The Years Productions, one of America’s largest footage archives, and Double 2 BV, a Netherlands production company, have acquired the rights to the Dutch music program Countdown. Often referred to as “Europe’s #1 Rock Show,” Countdown was on-the-air for 16 years (1977-1993), and was broadcast in 18 countries, making it one of the most successful music shows in the history of television.
The archive contains over 3,000 hours of musical performances, interviews and concert appearances by the greatest rock, R&B, pop, new wave and rap/hip-hop artists of the era, including: Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Prince, U2, Michael Jackson, The Police, David Bowie, Beastie Boys, George Harrison, Billy Joel, Whitney Houston, Run-DMC, Depeche Mode, Culture Club, Duran Duran, Blondie, The Cure, R.E.M., and thousands more.
Reelin’ In The Years Productions has available for licensing over 20,000 hours of music footage spanning 90 years. Additionally, we have more than 5,000 of hours of in-depth interviews with the 20th century’s icons of Film and Television, Politics, Comedy, Literature, Art, Science, Fashion and Sports. Please visit reelinintheyear... to search our online database.
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[@jacksaintjack2844]

I have no doubt whatsoever that the vast majority of rock music fans don't have a clue as to how much of a musical genius Costello is. Unmatched when it comes to twisting everyday phrases into double entendre and symbolism. Chemistry Class is a lyrical masterpiece as he attaches double meanings to chemical terms as he speaks of the chemistry between people. His style is also a counter punch to the ego driven, long haired, spandex wearing spotlight seeking fakes. My hero!

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

Amen!

[@veneker9949]

You're saying Elvis Costello is even better than Motley Crue?

[@tahirakathleen5065]

Costello is a genius and there will never be another like him. I know many prefer his studio albums but I think he's at his best live and raw. Thanks for this great video!

[@Bbagina4]

I prefer the vocals on the album

[@tahirakathleen5065]

@Fun wit you you're entitled to your opinion. But a crap band can be manipulated to sound great in a studio album. I prefer to watch an artist/band live. Otherwise stay home and play the album.

[@keffinmckn3602]

​@Fun wit you I agree, EC and the attractions are a band that were better in the studio. There are lots of bands that are better live, I just don't think they're 1of them.

[@phillewis7685]

Brockwell Park, South London. Sunday morning, 1978. Oliver's Army huge. Truck pulls in. Back door slides down to become a stage. Elvis Costello and The Attractions play the whole album. To me. To Janet. To one other person. Right place. Right time.

[@liseb.4613]

Yes, I agree, he is MAGIC live! I prefer it too over the polished versions

[@powderthumb5959]

He came out of nowhere. Utterly unique and brilliant. In his own way he is like Neil Young. Great songwriter, performer, and one who changes direction when he feels like it. Saw him in Irvine, CA in the mid-80’s. Mind you I grew up in LA in the 70’s and have seen some amazing concerts. Elvis’ show - Top 10 on my list. Tremendous energy. This was right after Mighty Like a Rose came out. He had crazy hair and beard to match. Hurry Down Doomsday was friggin’ wild. Killer show. He ripped into his catalogue.

[@chiletalk6215]

Must have been early 90s, then.

[@robertsaca3512]

Don't think he ever constantly stuck his nose in Americans political business though, Neil is still making a fool of himself.

[@ianbartle456]

@@robertsaca3512 Maybe but American political business is world political business so whether he's Canadian, a Native American of anything else , if he loves the planet he's got a right to his opinion. It's not your fault or mine, it just is.

[@phillewis7685]

My Elvis Costello experience: A walk in Brockwell Park one Sunday morning. A van pulls in. The back door lowers and becomes a stage. Elvis Costello and his band play the whole Oliver's Army LP. The audience? Me, my girlfriend and one other. Special moment!

[@markstevenson6635]

You mean Armed Forces album? Sounds like a once in a lifetime experience.

[@patrickkelly2451]

That's Incredible!!!!

[@liseb.4613]

Saw Elvis Costello and Patti Smith at the same festival years ago....an unforgettable experience and both of them artists in the true sense of the word.

[@angelafrye9380]

One of the best songwriters of all time! Loved him from the beginning!

[@flemingcourt]

Not so Kato!

[@angelafrye9380]

​@@flemingcourtI'm expressing My opinion... Your comment makes no sense! Let's just agree to disagree!

[@lawmantheonetrueking3739]

@@angelafrye9380I agree with you Angela, but hey it’s just our opinion. Seen him live over 20 times, first was when Armed Forces came out in 79, but had already bought My Aim is True and This Year’s Model before that concert. Every show he does he plays it like it’s his last. He and his band always puts so much into their performance. It’s so good he’s still around and I hope for many more years to come. Keep rocking’ Elvis.

[@luannabbate2624]

Unfortunately in these of auto tune crap where no one wtites their own stuff, he wouldn't stand a chance.

[@kenconaway7681]

Bruce Thomas is a greatly underappreciated Bass player. One of my favorites.

[@jkryanspark]

He is totally appreciated by me and the musical circles in which I move. No Imposter is he.

[@johnheath4305]

Bruce deserves half

[@sidwhelan6918]

Top 3 McCartney Entwhistle Thomas No question for me

[@canalesworks1247]

I have become quite friendly with Bruce over the past couple of years. He still plays at a top level. Great guy and great bass player.

[@chrishubbell3313]

A LEGEND & EC’s sound was never the same after he left. One of the reasons I played Bass, excellent chops, melody & one of the reasons the ATTRACTIONS were so amazing!✊🏾

[@delaPole]

The first three LPs with The Attractions (This Year’s Model, Armed Forces and Get Happy!!) are all classic albums. A songwriter and a band totally at the top of their game.

[@dalejones9919]

Hear I am, 60 years old and shouting the lyrics at the monitor.. I know theses songs like the back of my hands.

[@TMGLost]

67 here but yeah, same.

[@adrianboddy6431]

Like the Jags!

[@stephenpayne9120]

@@adrianboddy6431 Given my adolescent rage at the time, I know these songs like the palm of my hands....

[@dlakoba4459]

me too...

[@kenfresno5734]

I’m 25, but me too

[@jamesmartin6709]

I saw them on the Armed Forces tour in 1979. They were phenomenal!

[@mikehutton3937]

Bruce and Pete - the tightest dysfunctional rhythm section in history!

[@snowyherge1549]

Golden era - and those first five albums were amazing- great live band!

[@iproclaimit]

Cant beleave it. Was a time I ate slept elvis Costello. I have never seen this early video. He is so young

[@jonnyrocket3659]

What a great songwriter and performer... I'd forgotten how good he was in those early years... have to say the drummer was fucking good

[@theutilitymonster2615]

Those first three albums, man...

[@wayne_twentyfive]

@@theutilitymonster2615 Make that those first 4 albums ! .. They would have to be among the best 4 albums released in succession by any artist ever .. Wayne

[@yummyyum36719]

And Bruce....wish those guys got along.

[@stevieG.]

What an absolute joy to be able to watch this in 2023 for the first time.! I missed it back in the day. Costello was a bloody genius and the rest of the band - Just superb.

[@hull4684]

Goosebumps hearing You belong to me ! Always wanted to meet a gal who loved his music as much as I did and live happily ever after... Never did, sigh

[@chrisjaybecker]

Watching classic Costello clips always makes me want to run out and buy a Fender Jazzmaster like his. He's never given credit for being as great of a guitarist as he really is.

[@canadiancontractor3812]

He never was a "great guitarist." Which is why he had Bruce Thomas play lead bass: the key to The Attractions early sound. Bruce was a genius - such as shame that EC's monstrous ego wouldn't permit them to continue to work together today. Just imagine the music that that combo could have produced if they'd kept it intact.

[@jaschul]

@@canadiancontractor3812 Whether or not it was EC's fault or Bruce Thomas's...I don't especially care. Anyway, the Attractions were arguably the best "straight-ahead" rock & roll of the late '70s-80s. And the only one with a star pianist/organist instead of a lead guitarist. And EC has always denigrated his own guitar skills. Doesn't matter -- he can play any chord in any inversion, etc., so who cares if he doesn't play lead or not? It's like complaining that John Lennon never soloed...

[@bryanmurphy4516]

Uniqueness in artists and musicians often=greatness. Not all about technical ability

[@synchromystici5m]

@@bryanmurphy4516 His guitar playing was neither unique nor great, but competent. Costello's talent is in his songwriting and vocal abilities, guitar just happened to be the instrument he chose to accompany himself with.

[@yummyyum36719]

Great singer. great song writer. Dreadful guitarist...and I am a huge fan of his.... but dude..the guitar playing...just...no...

[@golfingman2222]

Thankful that someone recorded this

[@63Cherylg]

He’s one of greatest! I love his music so much. I still listen to his albums now and then. Glad he’s still going strong 💕

[@joeboygo]

Get Happy is still one of my all time greatest albums and a definite desert island packer. So pleased to discover live versions of Oliver's Army and Accidents Can Happen that I've never heard before so many years after.

[@robinhawkins335]

A kindred spirit, I detect. Get Happy is as unique as it is great.

[@m.d.8206]

it's my favourite album of all time too!

[@DrawtheCurtains]

You might be the only person who lists Get Happy!! as your favorite EC record. Respect - all of the first five are untouchable. Personally, I'd choose My Aim Is True!

[@patriciofernandez2711]

@@DrawtheCurtains Get Happy!! is also my favourite album by EC and one of my all time favourites by anyone.

[@amherst88]

Get Happy is up there for complexity but This Year's Model still carries all the venom.

[@Stewkeithmtb]

The combination of my favurite songwriter and favourite bass player, sooo good. Shame they couldn't get on.

[@mattkervinen4075]

damn that footage is clean as hell for ‘79

[@frederikp1353]

Dr. Prof. Astronaut. Mr. Costello demanded the footage to be futureproof. Lets send this into SPACE yo, show them aliens whats up down here

[@rab2304]

I love when he tells all the guys to step aside and let the ladies come to front of the stage. Brilliant!

[@thefishybuissnes]

RAB what minute is that?

[@Justin-ci8gf]

haha elvis had ulterior motives!!

[@rab2304]

@@thefishybuissnes Around 12:30

[@jpc443]

People are so Nieve, and I ain't talking about Steve.

[@rattyeely]

he's such a perv it boarders on satire

[@annelieandersson4127]

One of the absolute best,with a unique & sensittively beautiful voice..

[@kallek919]

🎼 ”What are you girls gonna tell your mother?” 🎼 - "I danced on the same stage as Elvis Costello while he was playing." 😉

[@thewhoman3182]

Damn, I heard he was good live but this is just great.

[@RayBecker]

Bruce Thomas is a MONSTER bassist. Man I love the way he plays. Such an amazing pocket with both Thomas's. Costello is super songwriter and performer but that band of his is so Killer.

[@raulcampos7671]

Guuuuaaauuuuu. ¡¡¡Que energia!!!. Mr Costello un genio. Gracias por compartir

[@jaschul]

Pete Thomas on drums = fire

[@justme_66]

Thanks for posting, great early Costello! Love how he pulls all the girls on stage at the end, he looked very satisfied with himself, great stuff.

[@wayne_twentyfive]

Well he needed to get a closer look, to see which girls would get invited backstage after the gig 😉😅

[@tahirakathleen5065]

@@wayne_twentyfive he was married duh. He is married to Diana Krall, another excellent musician.

[@wayne_twentyfive]

@@tahirakathleen5065 I was being tongue-in cheek .. But if you want to be factual, then yes he was married at the time of this performance ( to Mary Burgoyne ), but that didn't stop Elvis from having multiple dalliances outside of the marriage .. He openly admits this in his autobiography "Unfaithful Music and Disappearing Ink" .. I'm a massive Elvis Costello fan, but let's not kid ourselves about the purity of his private life .. He showed human weakness, just like almost everyone does.

[@robertsmith1860]

@@wayne_twentyfiveYeah… but first he had the chore of getting all the “Tall Guys” (probably their boyfriends) outa the way!

[@ianbartle456]

@@robertsmith1860 Seemed like he was equal to the task!

[@jennlevy]

I first saw him live right around this time. I've certainly seen him more times than any other band, hands-down. He's always interesting, usually great. He may not have a great voice, but he's an amazing vocalist.

[@darrellminx5459]

Pete and Bruce are so tight! I was lucky to see they're first American tour I was blown away! It was Elvis against the world at that time! He this years model and watching the detectives.no oncore.Cheers

[@bbanks108]

A phenomenal performer from the beginning

[@christopherwall444]

Massive talent while not bothering with the rock star look thing so part of the industry back then. Musical stud

[@davidellis5141]

The Record Label had an awesome moniker , " If It Ain't Stiff , It Ain't Worth A Fuck " ! 😎 Elvis 🎸

[@lesakramer8369]

Purr-fect. I needed this, today. 8/11/22/ X.

[@tahirakathleen5065]

8/15/22!

[@johnpattee2507]

This ELVIS is KING!

[@kallek919]

@Jen Mcmanus: He only had the opportunity to hear Costello's debut album before he passed away, but maybe it was enough? 😉

[@stephenbeardwood1567]

great live set 40 years old still brilliant thanks

[@redtape73]

‘Accidents Will Happen’ was done flawlessly.

[@beerandgear6986]

Thx for hanging this. Excellent set. More please.

[@jacksaintjack2844]

"Your mind is made up but your mouth is undone. Your mouth is made up but your mind is undone." - Elvis Costello. As good a line as any ever created by any artist in rock history,

[@simonsherratt1484]

It's not quite on Bob Dylan's level

[@kevinblake7078]

seen them 1978 palladium nyc, what a talent what a band

[@ThrustusSimmonds]

The winning ways of Elvis. Actually seems to be having a good time. Normally right there with Fripp in (non)smiling contests. Stretches the material out in kinda cool, weird ways, too.

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

A serious geek like fripp lol, they both had that “ I may be geeky but I’m deadly serious look “ about them, both had genius running through them though.

[@powderthumb5959]

Elvis is an amazing performer. He came out of nowhere when I was a senior in high school in 1977. I didn’t get his music at first. It took me about 4 to 5 years. I saw him in Irvine, California in the mid 80s. Mind you that I grew up in LA in the 70s and I’ve seen some pretty good concerts by most of the greats. I put that show on the top 10 of all concerts. He had just come out with Mighty like a Rose. I think he opened up with Hurry Down Doomsday. He had crazy here in a wild ass beard and just tore into his songs like a man possessed. I am very lucky.

[@carloslozada470]

Beautiful excellent music and performance

[@rightrightrightuhhuhuhhuh6516]

OMG the BPM of this is so all over the place it's like they didn't have adequate monitoring. By the chorus Elvis is like a full beat behind! And yet it's still fucking awesome.

[@StephenCampbell-bi7dl]

I would not insult the man,but the album i always return to is GET HAPPY

[@bcancun123]

Awesome footage

[@macsarcule]

The technology to mic and mix audio for live television programming has come a long way since 1979.

[@AlbertoGarcia-lj8xd]

Tremendo bajista Bruce Thomas. Genial.

[@gavinwieland3707]

This is awesome.

[@shiftybat7318]

To this day one of the greatest live performers I've ever seen (and I have been to a LOT of shows). Talk about Flow state - it's like once he starts there is nothing but the Show. Whenever I play my mind is all "Don't forget the next bit. Why am I itchy/sweaty? I hope the levels are okay and also my family." which tends to take me out of the moment, but EC is like a coursing river that can't be stopped till it hits the sea of fans.

[@illadrobici]

Yeah, but his vocals are all off pitch. Could be bad monitors. Unfortunate.

[@1man1bike1road]

I love elvis awesome talent

[@Madkid73]

I would have loved to have seen these first few raw as f**k Attractions tours. In my 50's and been a fan of his since I can remember. His solo stuff is also great, but lets not mess about, he was at his best backed by one of best ensembles ever!

[@dfcrocco]

Oh God...it's 40 years!!

[@scottrohwein82]

Elvis is KING!!!

[@jeremybelpois6654]

Manny's Shlepper t shirt. Still have mine This ELVIS is KING! Elvis is king~!

[@stoneyll]

Elvis is king~!

[@johnmurray1519]

Just saw EC and nick lowe in Denver 2 weeks ago, while visiting my daughter out there . I planned the trip around it. Outdoor venue, perfect weather and They Killed ! Los Straightjackets backed up nick lowe. 3 hours of great music. I love that Elvis is a showman. He talked in Kentucky ? accent when introducing one of the guys from KY,,, funny. and he claimed that This Year's Girl was written by a guy in Buenos Aeres that he stole it of off !! ? (i think )

[@thewkovacs316]

over the years, he has become a great storyteller listening to him talk about the process has become almost as fun as watching him perform the songs quite a change from the guy who used to come out and run through a set in under an hour

[@rattyeely]

I would kill to hear his fake accent

[@qualaup]

What you see here is probably the best bassplayer in the world.

[@steve-bk1qd]

skinny lad on the drums doing allright !

[@lewisc215]

This will always be his best.

[@前橋みき]

His golden period-fantastic post

[@daanje1062]

EC + Attractions, The Clash and The Jam three best English bands of 1977-1980.

[@drk321]

My kingdom for a time machine.

[@JP-uu2rw]

He sings much better today. He was vocally mimicking a bit of Van Morrison and Randy Newman in the early days

[@jasonstorey2457]

And Graham Parker

[@cliveedwards2958]

Yeah but I loved it..it was distinctive..and as you say almost cartoon like, but it cut a style with punk..Graham Parkeresque definitely!

[@HeavyMetalBluegrass]

Great list. Should include 'Lipstick Vogue', 'Waiting For The End of The World', and 'Two Little Hitlers' would round out my list.

[@hirepimike]

Just saw him two nights ago. Did waiting for the end of the world, detectives, pump it up. But he’s quite the smooth statesman now. Pete is still great.

[@gavinsheppard2191]

Watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/pn6mqGyKhLdrjJY

[@revpgesqredux]

This first song, along with especially Crawling to the USA, and Shipbuilding and Two Little Hitlers for that matter, never been more applicable.

[@amherst88]

And that's why we loved him . . .

[@royphillips7435]

good solid pop performance , always dig EC

[@Revolution1117]

Not sure where Steve Nieve was that night, but you can sure tell how much he means to The Attractions sound.

[@michaelleigh]

That is Steve Nieve! Elvis called him Norman Brain which he called himself on the Attractions Lp (without Elvis). "He wrote some material on The Attractions' Costello-less album, Mad About the Wrong Boy under the name Norman Brain."

[@thewkovacs316]

that is steve and there were many nights when he decided to play something much different than what the band was

[@paulmason2036]

Love this

[@drunk247]

Fuck yes Accidents Will Happen and it was awesome! That made my day. Keep up the great work!

[@virtualgaz]

thanks for posting.

[@captainwin6333]

The best Elvis.

[@fernandomartinez2086]

Classic!

[@earlmcpherson9820]

Love that ol' guy!

[@cjdesign5700]

Saw him 8 times between 81-94

[@tomkelsey2303]

Pete Thomas is the greatest pop-punk drummer of all time.

[@drunk247]

The bass player too! Chemistry like that is damn near impossible! EC got very lucky!

[@rightrightrightuhhuhuhhuh6516]

except in this clip he is so all over the place it's laughable. the timing is absurdly bad here

[@flemingcourt]

Bob "Junko" Williams is better.

[@ogopogo1916]

I really liked the Specials around the time of Elvis

[@StrangelyBrownNo1]

Bloody hell he’s regretting that choice of clothing about now

[@lawrencefrank1186]

killer musicians!

[@brianbierig2552]

I love how Elvis runs off the stage like he's going to get mobbed and nobody moves.

[@Ojaigary]

Fantastic band. Too bad about all the annoying watermark ads that ruined the video.

[@wayne_twentyfive]

Musical content was way too good to be totally ruined by those watermarks and logos, but yes they were very annoying .. They didn't need to be so prominent and large.

[@ianbartle456]

@@wayne_twentyfive Yeah! - do it at the end ffs. Show some respect!

[@msbadkittie]

great show! love how he pulls the girls up on stage for the last song. i guess Bruce Springsteen wasn’t the first to do that?

[@robertstorey7476]

The usual comments on here by KZbin music "experts" who can't grasp that live music is performed and sounds different to the studio produced recording. You can only suspect a lot of them have never seen a live band.

[@hankblumenkranz8762]

For O’sA he’s not singing, he’s foghorning!!! Love it

[@dapete]

Gawd damn...Pete was so tight.

[@brufrog]

What did he call Steve? Norman Bridge?

[@tommythevenot7617]

“Norman Brains”

[@dbentleyto95]

It's the words we don't say that scare me so..

[@johnlerkison6954]

There is probably a good reason that they didn't turn Bruce Thomas's microphone on.

[@lewisc215]

Saw him first at the Bottom Line in NYC.

[@angelariley908]

Check out his set at The Rockpalast 78,it will blow you away so stop bastard well criticizing,anyone can have a bad day.

[@Stonecutter334]

Good footage from 1979 is fairly rare. Pity the sound was so poorly recorded. Besides that excellent footage. Thanks

[@attygarland6909]

He left out Alison ???

[@robertstorey7476]

Is Steve Nieve playing a stylophone on Oliver's army?

[@markstanton63]

Was his voice gone or something?

[@regmunday8354]

Not to be confused with the Australian version.

[@juansastre1729]

First time listening to him and he reminds me of Billie Joe Armstrong

[@markstevenson6635]

😅

[@hqztonners]

He looks like a cross between Andrew Denton and Buddy Holly. He is a very good singer.