This is definitely one of my favorites on Spike - in my opinion it blows "Veronica" out of the water. I understand why it wasn't released as a single though...
Lyrically, I'm impressed with Elvis' use of unexpected rhymes like "imagine/compassion" and "detail/betrayal". But I'm most impressed by the ironic twist that provides a little of his signature dark humor at the end of the song - after lambasting Margaret Thatcher for her lack of regard for human life and then laughing at her death, he remarks "I never thought for a moment that human life could be so cheap!"
Its like he's reminding her that her life is just as cheap as anyone's who was sent to war for her policies.
Now, as an American, I have a few questions for the Brits out there (or anyone else who might know):
1) Was there actually such a picture published of Margaret Thatcher kissing a grimacing child?
2) Was this song not considered libel because he only says "Margaret" and never reveals her last name, despite the heavy insinuations?
3) What is the "The black tarmacadam"?
4) Does "this pitiful discontent" refer to this song? Or something broader?
In today's context I can't get Sarah Palin (and her "special needs" baby) out of my mind when I listen to this song.
1) Was there actually such a picture published of Margaret Thatcher kissing a grimacing child?
2) Was this song not considered libel because he only says "Margaret" and never reveals her last name, despite the heavy insinuations?
3) What is the "The black tarmacadam"?
4) Does "this pitiful discontent" refer to this song? Or something broader?
1) Was there actually such a picture published of Margaret Thatcher kissing a grimacing child?
2) Was this song not considered libel because he only says "Margaret" and never reveals her last name, despite the heavy insinuations?
3) What is the "The black tarmacadam"?
4) Does "this pitiful discontent" refer to this song? Or something broader?
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Not as far as I am aware. I think the lyrics are referring to the cliche of the politician kissing a baby.
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Not as far as I am aware. I think the lyrics are referring to the cliche of the politician kissing a baby.
i>
I wouldn't consider it libellous. Thatcher wrecked the British manufacturing industry and devastated whole communities, creating mass unemployment. She crushed the power of the trade unions and introduced draconian anti-strike legislation in an attempt to stop people from effectively fighting back. That said, yes I think you may well be right.
i>
The "black tarmacadam" is a road surface - could Costello be referring to the M25 (opened by Thatcher in 1986), as emblematic of false hope for the future?
i>
The "pitiful discontent" to me refers to the attempts of the miners and the Militant-controlled Liverpool council to fight back in the face of Thatcher's onslaught. "She isn't angry with this pitiful discontent", i.e. she is going to smash all opposition.
i>
There is a discussion socialistunity.com/ here about the song and an interview with Costello himself.
Sarah Palin? The woman chose to bring a retarted child into this world AND work from home so she could be with her child. God bless her for her decisions to put life and family FIRST. One can support war and not be anti-life. I have a Jewish aunt and uncle in their late 70's because a war was fought in Europe. Your simplistic view and condemnation of people whose politics you don't support is rather prejudiced.
Sarah Palin? The woman chose to bring a retarted child into this world AND work from home so she could be with her child. God bless her for her decisions to put life and family FIRST. One can support war and not be anti-life. I have a Jewish aunt and uncle in their late 70's because a war was fought in Europe. Your simplistic view and condemnation of people whose politics you don't support is rather prejudiced.
The black tarmacadam is probably a reference to the plight of the characters in 'The Boys From the Blackstuff' a short series of plays aired in 1982 when Thatcher was at her zenith. Each play focussed on member of a group of redundant road tarmac layers. It has been described by The British Film Institute as TV's most complete dramatic response to the Thatcher era and as a lament to the end of a male, working class British culture.
The black tarmacadam is probably a reference to the plight of the characters in 'The Boys From the Blackstuff' a short series of plays aired in 1982 when Thatcher was at her zenith. Each play focussed on member of a group of redundant road tarmac layers. It has been described by The British Film Institute as TV's most complete dramatic response to the Thatcher era and as a lament to the end of a male, working class British culture.
@jsaul you don’t like Veronica? It’s a pretty good song, one of Elvis’ better singles, and was co-written with Paul McCartney, not unlike slice-of-life Beatles’ tunes like She’s Leaving Home or Eleanor Rigby.
@jsaul you don’t like Veronica? It’s a pretty good song, one of Elvis’ better singles, and was co-written with Paul McCartney, not unlike slice-of-life Beatles’ tunes like She’s Leaving Home or Eleanor Rigby.
This is definitely one of my favorites on Spike - in my opinion it blows "Veronica" out of the water. I understand why it wasn't released as a single though...
Lyrically, I'm impressed with Elvis' use of unexpected rhymes like "imagine/compassion" and "detail/betrayal". But I'm most impressed by the ironic twist that provides a little of his signature dark humor at the end of the song - after lambasting Margaret Thatcher for her lack of regard for human life and then laughing at her death, he remarks "I never thought for a moment that human life could be so cheap!"
Its like he's reminding her that her life is just as cheap as anyone's who was sent to war for her policies.
Now, as an American, I have a few questions for the Brits out there (or anyone else who might know):
1) Was there actually such a picture published of Margaret Thatcher kissing a grimacing child? 2) Was this song not considered libel because he only says "Margaret" and never reveals her last name, despite the heavy insinuations? 3) What is the "The black tarmacadam"? 4) Does "this pitiful discontent" refer to this song? Or something broader?
In today's context I can't get Sarah Palin (and her "special needs" baby) out of my mind when I listen to this song.
jsaul -
jsaul -
1) Was there actually such a picture published of Margaret Thatcher kissing a grimacing child? 2) Was this song not considered libel because he only says "Margaret" and never reveals her last name, despite the heavy insinuations? 3) What is the "The black tarmacadam"? 4) Does "this pitiful discontent" refer to this song? Or something broader?
1) Was there actually such a picture published of Margaret Thatcher kissing a grimacing child? 2) Was this song not considered libel because he only says "Margaret" and never reveals her last name, despite the heavy insinuations? 3) What is the "The black tarmacadam"? 4) Does "this pitiful discontent" refer to this song? Or something broader?
>
Not as far as I am aware. I think the lyrics are referring to the cliche of the politician kissing a baby.
>
Not as far as I am aware. I think the lyrics are referring to the cliche of the politician kissing a baby.
i>
I wouldn't consider it libellous. Thatcher wrecked the British manufacturing industry and devastated whole communities, creating mass unemployment. She crushed the power of the trade unions and introduced draconian anti-strike legislation in an attempt to stop people from effectively fighting back. That said, yes I think you may well be right.
i>
The "black tarmacadam" is a road surface - could Costello be referring to the M25 (opened by Thatcher in 1986), as emblematic of false hope for the future?
i>
The "pitiful discontent" to me refers to the attempts of the miners and the Militant-controlled Liverpool council to fight back in the face of Thatcher's onslaught. "She isn't angry with this pitiful discontent", i.e. she is going to smash all opposition.
i>
There is a discussion socialistunity.com/ here about the song and an interview with Costello himself.
For a more in-depth history look at socialistparty.org.uk/militant/ch25.htm
Sarah Palin? The woman chose to bring a retarted child into this world AND work from home so she could be with her child. God bless her for her decisions to put life and family FIRST. One can support war and not be anti-life. I have a Jewish aunt and uncle in their late 70's because a war was fought in Europe. Your simplistic view and condemnation of people whose politics you don't support is rather prejudiced.
Sarah Palin? The woman chose to bring a retarted child into this world AND work from home so she could be with her child. God bless her for her decisions to put life and family FIRST. One can support war and not be anti-life. I have a Jewish aunt and uncle in their late 70's because a war was fought in Europe. Your simplistic view and condemnation of people whose politics you don't support is rather prejudiced.
The black tarmacadam is probably a reference to the plight of the characters in 'The Boys From the Blackstuff' a short series of plays aired in 1982 when Thatcher was at her zenith. Each play focussed on member of a group of redundant road tarmac layers. It has been described by The British Film Institute as TV's most complete dramatic response to the Thatcher era and as a lament to the end of a male, working class British culture.
The black tarmacadam is probably a reference to the plight of the characters in 'The Boys From the Blackstuff' a short series of plays aired in 1982 when Thatcher was at her zenith. Each play focussed on member of a group of redundant road tarmac layers. It has been described by The British Film Institute as TV's most complete dramatic response to the Thatcher era and as a lament to the end of a male, working class British culture.
@jsaul you don’t like Veronica? It’s a pretty good song, one of Elvis’ better singles, and was co-written with Paul McCartney, not unlike slice-of-life Beatles’ tunes like She’s Leaving Home or Eleanor Rigby.
@jsaul you don’t like Veronica? It’s a pretty good song, one of Elvis’ better singles, and was co-written with Paul McCartney, not unlike slice-of-life Beatles’ tunes like She’s Leaving Home or Eleanor Rigby.