Elvis Costello - Peace, Love and Understanding (Live on the Letterman Show)

Elvis Costello - & the Imposters playing (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding live on the Letterman when Elvis was hosting the show when David was sick.
The song is from the album "Armed Forces".

[@Jota-yh1vu]

i'm always like the guy screaming like a nut at the end of the song. This is one of the best live performances of all time. Period

[@ben70542]

What a great anthem for a new 18-24 party. Absolutely beautiful melody. So simple and sincere and, sadly, forever relevant. .

[@chenzenzo]

This was when Dave was recovering from heart surgery. Elvis was one of the the absolute best host, and it's good to remind people that 30 years earlier, he debuted on American TV on Letterman in the very same studio.

[@peterschulze491]

EC -- The man is mighty and beautiful. What a knockout performance!

[@324cmac]

Love! He's one of a kind.

[@johnnygibbs8181]

as a guy who has no idea what elvis Costello looks like that intro was a great twist

[@jennywong2769]

It shows what a great sense of humor he has. Really loved the intro.

[@deanmermell9098]

He's done this song a million times... this is still my favorite version. And Steve Nieve is totally in his zone. I've played it over and over and still can't get enough of this clip.

[@ThrustusSimmonds]

yeah, surprisingly good. Declan is one of my faves, but I have been guilty of dismissiveness of his post-1983 work. Wrong, again!

[@mikestevenson576]

All the way! Every word of what you said.

[@lisaknaggs1088]

TOTALLY! Ditto.

[@jamescourier1545]

Pete Thomas is just killing it. Great, great drummer!

[@u000jeg]

I was wondering if that was him. If anyone doubts his skills, they simply have to listen to Lipstick Vogue. That'll make a believer out of them.

[@larrywilson5112]

@@u000jeg I have to agree. Look up the 1978 live performance in Germany. Raw power.

[@johnp.noblejr.7214]

Under appreciated.

[@Jakal-pw8yq]

His sense of time is absolutely impeccable! I mean just the sound he gets out of that kit is amazing!!

[@fleadoggreen9062]

Who’s Pete Thomas ? Is he British? Elvis face looks like bono from u2

[@stevegutierrez2783]

Wow, drummer and bass player are killing it!!!

[@Ogorki1701A]

This song is so right for these times. My favourite version by far!

[@evan4168]

As I walk through This wicked world Searchin' for light in the darkness of insanity. I ask myself Is all hope lost? Is there only pain and hatred, and misery? And each time I feel like this inside, There's one thing I wanna know: What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? And as I walked on Through troubled times My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes So where are the strong And who are the trusted? And where is the harmony? Sweet harmony. 'Cause each time I feel it slippin' away, just makes me wanna cry. What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? So where are the strong? And who are the trusted? And where is the harmony? Sweet harmony. 'Cause each time I feel it slippin' away, just makes me wanna cry. What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?

[@boblozaintherealworld3577]

thanks to NICK LOWE for writing and performing this beautiful song to begin with. and EC does a great job here....of course.

[@chrisst8922]

I think it was the first song he wrote.

[@stevehoran5595]

@@chrisst8922 he was already writing songs for Brinsley Schwarz.

[@PedroPetracco]

yessssss NL is the absolute coolest

[@DavidNewlandz]

knockout rendition, brings tears to the eyes

[@jamescourier1545]

Agreed. Just brought the tears to me. Not many performances can say that. Just remarkable.

[@kingfalstaff9999]

Same. Every time I hear this song, it makes me simultaneously weep and yet inspire me to take action.

[@JWelsh72]

Whew- glad to know I’m not alone…lol

[@WRMannIII]

Fantastic drum work. It's one of those instances when the drums really provide such a solid backbone to a song. Also, how fitting are the words "Where are the strong? Who are the trusted?" for times like these!

[@lqr824]

Drums are a carbon copy of the Brinsley Schwarz original. And yeah, Nick Lowe wrote some seriously good lyrics. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGiVd6GBhN6joZY

[@geemarsh.7766]

A great Nick Lowe composition, done absolute justice by the great Elvis Costello. Two greats from my youth. Sadly, this song is as relevant today as it was in 1974. :-(

[@josephobenauer3093]

Pete Thomas: one of my favorite drummers, Costello is stone cold genius.

[@jnish7583]

Just saw him at the Mountain Winery in Saragota 8/27/22. Soooooo good!

[@johnbutchko8910]

I was at this show, and was completely blown away by this performance--absolutely incredible!! His segue to commercial--"We'll be right back after these capitalist messages:--was also brilliant.

[@jenniferms5544]

Mr Costello is the epitome of the expression "age gracefully". He is so handsome. Hubba-hubba🙆

[@garytimoshenko6174]

Nick Lowe wants a word with you

[@natelivas3961]

He actually looks better now than he did back in the late 70s

[@jennywong2769]

I agree. So sexy😍

[@keithandrew2705]

Wow, the piano and keyboards kick so much ass and the tempo of this song is off the chain good. Long live Elvis Costello and his great band!

[@rohansask9638]

Cause each time I feel it slipping away...

[@Spacejunk63]

His music still holds up to this day, Rock on Elvis.

[@denise5481]

I love him too, but he didn't write this song, Nick Lowe did.

[@manoutoftime9057]

How noble of the man to have covered this song and still played it so often after he had written so many classics of his own.

[@Music27Fan]

Brilliant performance by Elvis Costello and The Imposters!

[@adrianpaulfayter619]

Much better than the original album version - this has all the anger and power that makes the sentimental lyrics work brilliantly...

[@mikeschneider1624]

liked you comment it has 10% less innocence tho

[@frankiebowie6174]

I guess the fact that you consider the lyrics to be sentimental is the point of the song. Funny.

[@chipgaasche4933]

Wrong..imo.

[@hotwheel6663]

WTF?

[@lingcod91]

. . . and that's your answer to the question ? That it's "sentimental" ? Failure.

[@claudiushedrington752]

One of the very best acts that ever came out of the UK !

[@duster71]

Lotta good stuff came out of the UK, not any more

[@claudiushedrington752]

@@duster71 Amen to that duster71 ! 🤔

[@sakurachannel9624]

That keyboardist is killin it back there

[@marieannedantonio-hunt2120]

That would be the legendary Steve Nieve.

[@damonblalack-surfjazzrecor7124]

Good song, made great by a friggin awesome bass player, without that bass SMOKING, you got nothing, freakin awesome!!!!!

[@lqr824]

It was WRITTEN by a bass player, in the band Brinsley Schwarz. That bass player later produced the Costello album the track showed up on. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGiVd6GBhN6joZY I won't mention the bass player's name as you'll remember this better if you look it up yourself.

[@kennedykiser557]

I wish he would have continued on with being a Host. Just like his music...He is so AWESOME at it. That bass line tho? LOVE IT.

[@douglaswilson2355]

This kicks SO much ass!

[@melissamoore521]

lol!

[@tikigodzilla7528]

He can still sing the lights out.

[@89strangelove]

I love this song, I cry. What the fuck is so funny about peace, love and understanding

[@chipgaasche4933]

89, your use of "fuck" shows your lack of intelligence.

[@mrkemrk]

When he held up My Aim is True, I got chills.

[@ieronimo18]

This is arguably the greatest band introduction in television history.

[@dspf68]

his voice hasn't changed at all! One of the truely greats!

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

This show is 19.5 years old.

[@dspf68]

sorry, his voice never seemed to change. is that ok?

[@bing78]

Some where in Tokyo, Bob Harris is belting this tune.

[@jgm4661]

Dude was 49 when he performed this on Letterman. He can still rock w the best of them today. Very gifted musician and songwriter who also could pack a real wallop live.

[@ThrustusSimmonds]

He is a brilliant, intense, chance-taking performer. You got that right.

[@chipgaasche4933]

Gifted performer and songwriter..not a gifted musician. Sorry.

[@ThrustusSimmonds]

@@chipgaasche4933 curious to hear your view; vocalists are not musicians, then? Instrumentalists only? (that was my view until pretty recently.......) Cheers.

[@chipgaasche4933]

@@ThrustusSimmonds no..I believe the human voice can be an instrument. My point was I don't believe either nick or Costello are "Pavarottis". Neither are great instrumentalists..I consider them great songwriters..with Costello probably being the better performer.

[@ThrustusSimmonds]

@@chipgaasche4933 thanks for responding. I can certainly see your point.

[@seankane9279]

I've had the good fortune to see this legend perform live about a dozen times. With the Attractions, with the Imposters and solo. He never fails to give you his best, as do Steve, Pete, Bruce and Davey. Just incredible to relive in my head these joyous occassions. #THEREALELVIS

[@mariovaccarella6854]

Yes. Definitely. Thanks To Nick, Cruel To Be Kind, Lowe For Writing And/Or Producing Much Of Elvis Costello

[@stevemason5173]

An absolutely great performance!!! One hell of a showman...

[@donnyboymackie2755]

Such a great artist! The world is a richer place for it!

[@curtandoscar]

Don't quite know hiw Elvis does but he's managed to retain that brilliant voice - hasn't lost an iota of its power or shriek-ability unlike everybody in his age range, And who doesn't love that closing message?

[@donnyboymackie2755]

Good observation! Typically, vocalists have issues with their voices once they approach 50.

[@ThrustusSimmonds]

Agreed. But then, there are a great many things which fall into the How The Hell.............category. Have you perchance seen his performance of Clowntime Is Over, 1983 Rockpalast? It's approx an hour 9 minutes in. Whoa.

[@mikestevenson576]

There are some others! Ann Wilson from Heart can still do it all. Dennis DeYoung probably isn't your kind of act but vocally he has somehow kept it into his 70s. Handful of other freaks out there.

[@awilson202072]

A passionate artist, a totally awesome host!!!! I love Elvis Costello!!! There's nothing this man can't do!!! He's so hysterical!!! I never watch Letterman, but I Costello was the permanent host, I'd be watching every night!!!

[@noelmajers6369]

What makes this song so great is that it even one of Elvis's but was written by Nick Lowe but he OWNED this song and transformed it well beyond what it's original author intended as he also acknowledged.

[@lqr824]

meh, I think Nick was being polite and humble, but it's a Nick Lowe song. We can't just start crediting Elvis with it.

[@TheDarinAmes]

It takes huge balls for anyone to adopt the name Elvis after Presley, but Costello did it and owns it. There are two Kings.

[@TheDarinAmes]

Seek help, you inarticulate little coward.

[@stevengroom5455]

@Emp Effects Not many who are musicians by trade.

[@ThrustusSimmonds]

@Emp Effects get lost, imbecile. Not usually so impolite, but your "comment" is beyond inexcusable. Why you felt the need, I will never truly understand, but you are repulsive.

[@ThrustusSimmonds]

@@stevengroom5455 much nicer than that "person" deserves. Bravo.

[@ThrustusSimmonds]

@Emp Effects OK. Come out of your hidey hole, mindless cretin. Let's discuss this a bit, if you have the courage, which I strongly doubt. You shall be intellectually, morally, and in many other ways, eviscerated.

[@suedehead3]

What a band!

[@ziggystardust911]

..as of today -- Valentine's Day, 2020 -- this song is my brand-new 'anthem' !!! 💖 💖 💖

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

One of his best songs, IMO.

[@holgerpetersen9918]

Written by Nick Lowe!

[@CandySky126]

Just can't GET any better! Thing about Elvis is, he always sounds even better live. Wow!

[@stevensass3933]

Great live performance. I could have stood the keyboards to have been a bit more subtle in the mix.

[@mgraves9484]

I Love Elvis Costello and this version of PL&U is a mind-blower. But for me, the original MTV version is #1. Just too many imbedded memories, all the girls, all the parties, all the best of ever times. As for this one on Letterman, Elvis blew off my left sock. He is amazing..

[@daf827]

Rock 'n roll doesn't get any better than this. Thanks for posting.

[@jmm1000]

this dudes music made life a lot more worth livin.

[@stormyweather9917]

The consummate showman. ❤

[@curtandoscar]

What a total fucking treat. And how cool to see Elvis using the exact same guitar he played when he first wrote this song, and keyboardist extraordinaire Steve Nieve looking not a day past his youth. Wonderful.

[@zizzinpuss]

He didn't write this song, it was written by Nick Lowe:)

[@WindWalker1961]

As Great as Ever ....Elvis in the faulking house....and who are those imposters....tell me

[@davetoffen7944]

he is simply .....wonderful

[@davetoffen7944]

a very talented musician

[@SecsSells]

No one plays the keyboards like a Russian Cossack.

[@tompica4065]

Schaffer in mufti, right?

[@freddiemercurious]

@@tompica4065 I think you may be right. I always that thought that was Jules Holland in a fez.

[@johnpeterson9391]

Love the intro of Elvis as a composer - and then he plays a song written by... Nick Lowe! Still a great song!!!

[@ThrustusSimmonds]

He's an amusing fellow, no?

[@tudormiller8898]

This song will always be relevant, even now 41 years after it's original release. Watching from London.

[@clarkewi]

Greatest song of all time?????

[@richardmindemann6935]

It's on the short list.

[@DonnaD123]

A true masterpiece! Anthem for 2017 especially!! Or ANY year! Thank you Elvis!!!

[@ROONIECHIHUAHUA]

Greatest pop song ever written.

[@adamswitlak1242]

After this show the snare drum was retired ;)

[@lqr824]

the drums are nearly a verbatim copy of the original Brinsley Schwarz version. You have to give the original drummer some props for coming up with a drum part Costello didn't want even a note changed. Costello's happy to change the keys and guitar up completely, but wants drum and bass EXACTLY like the original. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGiVd6GBhN6joZY

[@darrylsloanes6375]

One of my all time favourite live performances.

[@rohansask9638]

Me too

[@luislozano2395]

he is such an under rated lyricist

[@alex_w_j]

Nick Lowe wrote this and a lot of his stuff

[@jasonkingshott2971]

Elvis has still got it!

[@dinkmartini3236]

This man's aim is true.

[@badkerproductions]

maestro!

[@plasteredbastard]

This fella could have his own show

[@Musicsification]

Go on Elvis,play that fucking guitar!

[@myratravin9588]

Genius.

[@joannclark2562]

Love everyday I write the book!

[@mobetta56]

Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, Elvis!

[@johnnycampana3002]

Elvis is a God! !!!

[@squirrelattackspidy]

Elvis cracks me up! :)

[@DunmoresMovieMania]

Love how that keyboardist is right on top of the mix!

[@beatle116]

The Elvis of my time

[@kandylangford5886]

And he Still f**kin' rocks on...

[@davesaverin]

on a more serious note......where r the strong........who r the trusted???? where is the harmony. sweet harmony.......

[@mikeperkins7774]

A guy in darkness singing about light ?

[@ThrustusSimmonds]

Nick Lowe (& Declan) not afraid to ask the tough questions. We have to be, and embody, those principles.

[@chipgaasche4933]

@@mikeperkins7774 why not?

[@boblozaintherealworld3577]

they long gone, brotha'.

[@jpa221]

Saw Stiff Little Fingers cover this in Leeds o2 a few years ago. Best song of the night by a country mile.

[@lqr824]

hard to imagine! I love this song but I also love SLF. The first punk band I got to know, which made the rest of the punk bands a bit of a let-down in comparison. Ask me my favorite punk bands now and I'd say SLF, then, uhh. OK, Husker Du. then... Velvet Underground? Dream Syndicate?

[@clarkewi]

Awesome

[@ROCKINGMAN]

Fantastic performance of his hit. Love the vocal and sound.

[@lqr824]

not his hit. It's a cover of Brinsley Schwarz. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGiVd6GBhN6joZY

[@bobthebear1246]

Great version. Elvis Costello is a BOSS. 😎

[@michaelmoreau4603]

Good he makes me cry! Keep going Elvis!

[@anthonycanuso1131]

WOO!!!

[@ZbigBF]

I've heard this song and sung this song and sing this song in so many different modes. Great Nick....

[@fooman65]

Fab fab fab love love love it...I'm from his home town

[@murrayallinger2830]

My favorite Elvis Costello tune ... loved it back with the Attractions ... love it just as much in the 2009 version

[@lqr824]

it's not a Costello tune. It's a Brinsley Schwarz tune, written by their bass player. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGiVd6GBhN6joZY

[@murrayallinger2830]

@@lqr824 Thank you for the history lesson. I meant this is my favorite song that Elvis Costello sings .... as in "Elvis Costello tune" ...

[@garyhosty9874]

fantastic !!

[@chrisb7613]

The cool Elvis!

[@stevemason5173]

Elvis Costello and this tune right here was a great inspiration to me to keep on keepin' on. He was an inspiration to me and music long before anyone heard of him, even when he was Elvis Costello & the Attractions... Absolutely GREAT!!!

[@toozabell1]

Saw them live last night, epic 2 1/2 hour performance.Amazing!

[@scottwillis8946]

Best version of this amazing song.

[@garydarnellwortham3307]

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!!!!

[@richardvogel6851]

He is one of my 5 favorite of all time

[@KellyGiftShop]

Good memories from this song!

[@donreed]

Well, as I live and breathe, I never thought I'd see the day something brilliant happened on the Dave Bang The Interns Show.

[@slee6261]

Maybe more relevant today than ever!

[@marcellacasey1324]

Great song 👌😎

[@williammacdonald9271]

Tour 2023, pump it up