Spitball Army

I know you think he screeches at times. I know you think he can’t zero in on a musical note, or has poor pitch. I know you – yes, you – think that these days he looks like an unshaven troll in a pork pie hat.

None of those things ever occurred to me until you mentioned them, or shouted them over your shoulder as you ran screaming from the room when I cued This Year’s Model up one more time.

You know I couldn’t disagree with you more.

Below are twenty of the many reasons why I think Elvis Costello is fanfreakingtastic.

Approximate playing time: 74 minutes.

1. “The Other End of the Telescope”  (1996)
2. “Shabby Doll”  (1982)
3. “From a Whisper to a Scream”  (1981)
4. “Egypt”  (2001)
5. “I’ll Weat It Proudly”  (1986)
6. “5ive Gears in Reverse”  (1980)
7. “Busy Bodies”  (1978)
8. “You Belong to Me”  (1978)
9. “Tear Off Your Own Head (It’s a Doll Revolution)”  (2002)
10. “Deep Dark Truthful Mirror”  (1989)
11. “The Element Within Her”  (1983)
12. “No Dancing”  (1977)
13. “Inch by Inch”  (1984)
14. “So Young”  (1980)
15. “Sad About Girls”  (1981)
16. “God Give Me Strength”  (1998)
17. “Lovers’ Walk”  (1981)
18. “The People’s Limousine”  (1986)
19. “Brilliant Mistake”  (1986)
20. “Shipbuilding”  (1983)