In 1983, Elvis Costello was an enigmatic deity in British pop music; Woody Allen-esque in his avoidance of the press. He didn’t do interviews and was never seen in public offstage. That year, at the height of his hermetic glory, he released an album, brilliant and acidly political, called “Punch The Clock,” which contained the single “Shipbuilding.” “Shipbuilding” is a sorrowful ballad about the Falklands War, and about Margaret Thatcher sending ships to fight while simultaneously closing down the shipyards. It is a wrenching, melodic plea for the working class, for the protest of the war, for the opposition of the government that solidly places itself against the people it purports to represent.
I am such a music geek, I actually watch all the extras on “The Old Grey Whistle Test” DVD, so I know all this arcane music history. Elvis was so intent on “Shipbuilding” reaching as many people as possible, he actually physically brought a copy of it directly to the head of a powerful music magazine in the U.K. and tried to get as much coverage of it as he could. The gesture was astounding, considering his status at the time.
Elvis has always been political. Once on Saturday Night Live, as a last minute replacement for The Sex Pistols, he awkwardly but gracefully – the Elvis way of doing things – stopped the performance of a second song, “Less Than Zero,” to play the song they told him not to play, “Radio, Radio.”
Radio is a sound salvation
Radio is cleaning up the nation
They say you better listen to the voice of reason
But they don’t give you any choice
’cause they think that it’s treason.
So you had better do as you are told.
You better listen to the radio.
I wanna bite the hand that feeds me.
I wanna bite that hand so badly.
I want to make them wish they’d never seen me.
That is some straight up thug genius. “Radio, Radio” was a massive hit, and a continual rousing crowd pleaser at his live shows. He sometimes closes with it, because it sums up what he has been doing his entire life. Doing whatever the fuck he wants. Sadly, the urgency of the message wasn’t the same for “Shipbuilding.” They are both incredible songs. These songs are addressing critical issues as relevant today as ever: censorship, and the senseless, inhumane treatment of the working class in times of warfare, both with beautiful, ominous lyrics and the lushly layered jangled but symphonic chamber music punk rock that makes Elvis like no other artist.
“Shipbuilding” was not a success, because the government sponsored radio wouldn’t play it, and it didn’t go far in terms of the charts, but it is a perennial favorite. It has been covered many times by diverse artists such as handicapped rock activist Robert Wyatt, Suede and Tasmin Archer. I would cover it if I could, but I cannot sing for shit, especially an important and potently moving song like this one and I wouldn’t be able to make it ‘ironic’ like at a Planet Hollywood ribbon cutting, with a beer soaked wife beater and Ray-Bans on, smoking a cigar.
It speaks volumes about how the government can subtly and easily disarm anyone in the media, shut them down without ceremony, no matter who you are, or which government you are talking about, or which war you are talking about.
I got confused when I found out that my new film, “Revolution” was being dropped from promotion by Westwood One because of ‘indecent, inappropriate content.’ I am nowhere near being Elvis Costello in pre- Falklands England in the early 80s, and could never dream of the very comparison of the body of work and the unbelievable talent that he possesses, but nonetheless, I feel like I might get there eventually. People telling me what to do, dismissively, unclearly, insults me, rather than scares me. It is less that I rebel, but I realize a bit more of my true nature, and revel in it. Ultimately, it is a good thing, for the silencing of a voice, only serves to make it louder later.
I would advise earplugs soon. To paraphrase the edict of another artist I worship – I will be playing at maximum volume.
Update 6/3/2004: Thank you Dana for the following correction:
Love your blog, love you.
But re your recent entry on Elvis Costello’s wonderful song, “Shipbuilding,” I wanted to point out one thing: The song was actually a collaboration (unusual for Elvis): lyrics by EC, music by Clive Langer. This was Langer’s favorite song he ever wrote, and is, as you point out, a masterpiece of pop protest music, so it just seemed like Langer should get some recognition for being its co-author, especially since your post is being linked to blogs far and wide. Here’s the story of the song.
–snip–
Dana Stevens