I never had an opinion on the lyrics until my 4th listening or so, as I am with most songs. It's an evocative tune by the melody and structure, it's Elvis's opinion. I happen to think Ms. Thatcher was good for Britain, however. Far be it from musicians to understand nuts and bolts politics when they deal mostly with feelings.
I think that "black tarmacadam" should actually be "black tar macadam".
I think that "black tarmacadam" should actually be "black tar macadam".
"Macadam" is a type of road construction/pavement, invented by a man with the last name Macadam.
"Macadam" is a type of road construction/pavement, invented by a man with the last name Macadam.
"Tar Macadam" is a tar-based Macadam, used on roads where high-speed travel would erode regular Macadam, and is where we get the word "Tarmac". (the pavement on most airport runways).
"Tar Macadam" is a tar-based Macadam, used on roads where high-speed travel would erode regular Macadam, and is where we get the word "Tarmac". (the pavement on most airport runways).
"Macadam" became a sort of generic word for road pavement in the UK, so Elvis Costello is using "black tar Macadam" here to simply mean something very dark, not "clear and bright" in the least.
@Lesthanzero Damn, I won’t expect a reply since your comment is 11 y/o, but I’d like to ask exactly what YOU understand about “nuts and boots politics” that Elvis does NOT?!?
@Lesthanzero Damn, I won’t expect a reply since your comment is 11 y/o, but I’d like to ask exactly what YOU understand about “nuts and boots politics” that Elvis does NOT?!?
I never had an opinion on the lyrics until my 4th listening or so, as I am with most songs. It's an evocative tune by the melody and structure, it's Elvis's opinion. I happen to think Ms. Thatcher was good for Britain, however. Far be it from musicians to understand nuts and bolts politics when they deal mostly with feelings.
I think that "black tarmacadam" should actually be "black tar macadam".
I think that "black tarmacadam" should actually be "black tar macadam".
"Macadam" is a type of road construction/pavement, invented by a man with the last name Macadam.
"Macadam" is a type of road construction/pavement, invented by a man with the last name Macadam.
"Tar Macadam" is a tar-based Macadam, used on roads where high-speed travel would erode regular Macadam, and is where we get the word "Tarmac". (the pavement on most airport runways).
"Tar Macadam" is a tar-based Macadam, used on roads where high-speed travel would erode regular Macadam, and is where we get the word "Tarmac". (the pavement on most airport runways).
"Macadam" became a sort of generic word for road pavement in the UK, so Elvis Costello is using "black tar Macadam" here to simply mean something very dark, not "clear and bright" in the least.
@Lesthanzero Damn, I won’t expect a reply since your comment is 11 y/o, but I’d like to ask exactly what YOU understand about “nuts and boots politics” that Elvis does NOT?!?
@Lesthanzero Damn, I won’t expect a reply since your comment is 11 y/o, but I’d like to ask exactly what YOU understand about “nuts and boots politics” that Elvis does NOT?!?