Apparently, Elvis Costello didn't have kind words about Queen once upon a time.
At 13:35 on the below video, John says, "I mean obviously we are an influence but then there are a lot of people who do not like us. Elvis Costello for one... I read his outpourings..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd23xFo4KNs
Does anybody know what Costello said about them?
Vocal harmony · Member since
I remember an interview with him on Radio One in the UK in the early 80's. He was talking about a Queen single, can't remember which, but he said the song was rubbish and the band were basically an untalented waste of space.
Of course you can clearly see and hear that he is a far more inventive guitar player than BM and his vocal abilities far out strip Freddie in style and range, add to this his totally unique song writing style and his comments make perfect sense ;)
On the other hand we could just accept that he's full of BS
k-m · Member since
Everyone has the right to their own opinion. Like it or not, but Costello is a legend and a highly regarded musician by many. He doesn't like Queen... So what?
Togg · Member since
Queen were VERY unfashionable until 86... fact they were cool from 71-75, then super uncool from 77-86 if you were a fan then it was very different, then in 91, EVERYBODY said Queen were magnificent and they'd always loved them.
Elvis is a hugly talented guy, intitled to his opinion, he;s written some amazing songs, but difficult to slag him off unless you have the exact quote IMO
Another Roger (re) · Member since
I think Elvis Costello is amazingly boring. Who cares?
Vocal harmony · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]k-m wrote:[/b]
Everyone has the right to their own opinion. Like it or not, but Costello is a legend and a highly regarded musician by many. He doesn't like Queen... So what?[/QUOTE]
Yes you are of course right. But as a serious musician he should be beyond publicly saying that the musicians in a world renowned band are talentless.
There is a huge difference between not liking someone on an artistic level and making a childish out burst claiming someone who's music you don't like is talentless.
That really leaves him open to what ever crap gets slung his way.
Costa86 · Member since
Everyone in entitled to an opinion on music, and everybody has different tastes.
But some truths are objective. For instance, BMW make good handling cars. You can't say they make cars which handle like an old Trabant - that would be a lie. But you could say you prefer Audis because they have better quality interiors and superior four wheel drive 'Quattro' handling characteristcs (except on the base FWD models of course), while you think BMW interiors are shite and their six cylinder 3 litre diesels are just overly complicated cancer-makers.
Another truth is that Patek Philippe watches have high quality movements. You might hate Patek Philippe and have a preference for Bregeut or Vacheron Constantin, and might even think the latter two are superior, but you can't say Patek Philippe watches have cheap movements which are worth only as much as the ones the Chinese make - that would be a lie.
Likewise, you could say Queen are completely out of touch with the market, and their music is boring and repetitive. But you can't say they are rubbish and talentless. That's a lie.
Hence, and this is of course with the proviso that since we do not have a direct quote, I might be mistaken in my assertions, I have, according to very complex calculations, come to the conclusion that Elvis Costello is a very talented wanker.
Day dop · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]Costa86 wrote:[/b]Likewise, you could say Queen are completely out of touch with the market, and their music is boring and repetitive. But you can't say they are rubbish and talentless. That's a lie.
[/QUOTE]
Their sales tell a different story to them being out of touch with the market.
Day dop · Member since
Costello's music has never appealed to me - it's dull. Claims of him being "legendary" seem to be somewhat overblown, which probably stems from Rolling Stone magazine and the like.
Unlike the likes of Zeppelin, Hendrix, Queen, Nirvana, Pink Floyd, Bowie, The Beatles - and others I could mention - Elvis Costello's music isn't getting picked up on by younger generations. His sales aren't particularly impressive, and his music doesn't strike me as innovative. Quite the opposite.
But still, I was just curious about what he said.
Sebastian · Member since
TBH, I didn't even know he was still alive. He hasn't done much lately, and he's still rather young...
Sebastian · Member since
.
Costa86 · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]Day dop wrote:[/b]
[QUOTE] [b]Costa86 wrote:[/b]Likewise, you could say Queen are completely out of touch with the market, and their music is boring and repetitive. But you can't say they are rubbish and talentless. That's a lie.
[/QUOTE]
Their sales tell a different story to them being out of touch with the market.
[/QUOTE]
Yes, yes, I don't personally think they are out of touch - I think they were brilliant, always - but that is an argument someone could logically make. On the other hand, saying they are rubbish is a non-argument really.
AlbaNo1 · Member since
Elvis Costello performed one of the best gigs I have ever been to in Dublin. Very tight band, surprisingly strong vocal power, good guitar. A lot of punchy songs with very intelligent lyrics in a literary sense .
He also throws in segments of pop covers from the likes of Prince and Bon Jovi so he is not averse to a range of musical styles.
He is probably among the politically correct brigade that hates Queen for playing Sun City.
Weird that Elton John seems to have got away with that
Day dop · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]Costa86 wrote:[/b]
[QUOTE] [b]Day dop wrote:[/b]
[QUOTE] [b]Costa86 wrote:[/b]Likewise, you could say Queen are completely out of touch with the market, and their music is boring and repetitive. But you can't say they are rubbish and talentless. That's a lie.
[/QUOTE]
Their sales tell a different story to them being out of touch with the market.
[/QUOTE]
Yes, yes, I don't personally think they are out of touch - I think they were brilliant, always - but that is an argument someone could logically make. On the other hand, saying they are rubbish is a non-argument really.[/QUOTE]
If they made that argument, it'd be a misguided / illogical one though. It's just as rubbish (as you put it) as the non argument examples you gave.
AlbaNo1 · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]Day dop wrote:[/b]
[QUOTE] [b]Costa86 wrote:[/b]
[QUOTE] [b]Day dop wrote:[/b]
[QUOTE] [b]Costa86 wrote:[/b]Likewise, you could say Queen are completely out of touch with the market, and their music is boring and repetitive. But you can't say they are rubbish and talentless. That's a lie.
[/QUOTE]
Their sales tell a different story to them being out of touch with the market.
[/QUOTE]
Yes, yes, I don't personally think they are out of touch - I think they were brilliant, always - but that is an argument someone could logically make. On the other hand, saying they are rubbish is a non-argument really.[/QUOTE]
If they made that argument, it'd be a misguided / illogical one though. It's just as rubbish (as you put it) as the non argument examples you gave.[/QUOTE]
I'm struggling with the arguments and non arguments.
So is the conclusion Elvis Costello is a pompous pretentious oaf?
