The radio is in the hands of such a lot of fools, Tryin' to anesthetize the way that you feel.

Elvis Costello and The Attractions – “Radio Radio”

“Radio Radio” (1978)

“Radio Radio”  was released on the US version of Elvis Costello and The Attractions’ second album, and subsequently as a UK single. It was first performed on the US TV show “Saturday Night Live” (SNL).    

The Dictate of Fools

Although Elvis wanted to play this song during their SNL appearance, his record company compelled him to play another song. Elvis complied … well, for a few seconds.   

Shortly after he and the band started playing the recommended song, Elvis yelled at his band members “STOP!”  He turned back to the audience and explained that there was “no reason to play this song here.”  Then he and the band proceeded to perform “Radio Radio.”     

For the following 12 years, Elvis and his band were not invited back to play on SNL. AKA, "Saturday Night … Lame.”   _{(Image source)}

Elvis Costello and The Attractions

Elvis Costello is a UK musician who became renowned during the explosion of punk and new wave music in the latter half of the 1970s. (real name – Declan MacManus) 

If it Aint Stiff, it’s American

In 1976, he signed a record deal with the upstart independent UK label Stiff Records. At that time, his stage name was D.P. Costello, but his manager at the label suggested that he adopt the name “Elvis.”   

Since Stiff Records operated only in the UK, Costello’s first album and first few singles were available in the USA only as imports, which were relatively expensive and hard-to-find.

So, when the US company Columbia Records held a convention in London, Elvis and his band started busking on the sidewalk in front of the convention center. Apparently he caught the attention of an executive or 2, because within a few months, he had signed a deal with Columbia.  _{(Image source)}

Cash, Blades, Rock, and Apple

Costello’s diverse range of interest in various genres, along with his work ethic and his prodigious output, have made him a dominant figure in the field of rock / pop. He has worked with everyone from Burt Bacharach to Johnny Cash, from Ruben Blades and Kid Rock to Fiona Apple.   

Elvis has won numerous awards, including 3 Grammies. His first 3 albums are included in “Rolling Stone”  magazine’s list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time,”  and Costello himself is ranked Number 80 on the magazine’s 2004 list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time.”   

Elvis Costello and The Attractions were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.    

Oh, Boy. OBE

In June 2019, the British government announced that Costello would be honoured as an “Officer of the Order of the British Empire”  for his “services to music.” 

He responded by saying that it confirmed his suspicions that “nobody really listens to the words in songs.”     _{(Image source)}

I was tuning in the shine on the light night dial
Doing anything my radio advised
With every one of those late night stations
Playing songs bringing tears to my eyes
I was seriously thinking about hiding the receiver
When the switch broke, 'cause it's old
They're saying things that I can hardly believe.
They really think we're getting out of control.

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.

Some of my friends sit around every evening
And they worry about the times ahead
But everybody else is overwhelmed by indifference
And the promise of an early bed
You either shut up or get cut up;
They don't wanna hear about it.
It's only inches on the reel-to-reel.
And the radio is in the hands of such a lot of fools
Tryin' to anaesthetise the way that you feel

Wonderful radio
Marvelous radio
Wonderful radio
Radio, radio ...
Lyrics by Elvis Costello, courtesy of – AZLyrics.com
Reference – Wikipedia
Reference – Wikipedia
Reference – Wikipedia
Reference – Pitchfork.com

Into your ears … through 5 channels

 The various posts are categorized into 5 channels _{(Right-Click to see details)}
         1 – “Music to Your Ears” (MTYE)
         2 – “Cover Versions”
         3 – “Honor Roll”
         4 – “Documentaries”
         5 – “Mock’n’Roll”

More “Music to Your Ears” ...

          Previous posts in this series – "MTYE posts 1–20"
          Previous posts in this series – "MTYE posts 21–40"

Links to my other series ...

          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"
          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"

          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part One – My Lyrics Posts 3~30”
          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part Two – My Lyrics Posts 31~60”  

          Vocab-Ability – "Introduction to Vocab-Ability"  
          Vocab-Ability – "Index"  to all Chapters and Sections  

          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part One – Notes 1~50"  
          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part Two – Notes 51~87"