While not all popular music qualifies as poetry, the field should not be automatically excluded from poetic consideration simply because it’s music for the masses and sells like hotcakes.

D: “Literary work in which the expression of feelings and ideas is given intensity by the use of distinctive style and rhythm.” : “T he art of rhythmical composition, written or spoken, for exciting pleasure by beautiful, imaginative, or elevated thoughts.”.Merriam Webster: “Writing that formulates a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience in language chosen and arranged to create a specific emotional response through meaning, sound, and rhythm.”.But I would argue that the most important aspect of Elvis Costello’s lyrics is that they are firmly grounded in the structures and vernacular of popular music, and despite the bias associated with the label “popular,” qualify as poetry by every definition of the word: The sheer diversity of his lyrics is impressive, the consistent quality over the years even more so. I wouldn’t say that the lyrics are the only reason to listen to Elvis Costello, but they certainly are the main attraction. His highly-Americanized singing voice defines the phrase “barely adequate,” and if there’s a list of great vocalists somewhere with Elvis Costello’s name on it, you are more than justified to refer to that list as “fake news.” There is certainly nothing new about the music on My Aim Is True-it’s largely derived from that period of rock ‘n’ roll between Buddy Holly and The Kingsmen, a sound that harkens back to Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent and the girl groups. Man, if that’s true, Elvis Costello is fucked.Īlthough he has varied sound and style over the years, Elvis Costello’s music has never qualified as groundbreaking or original. After telling me I needed to get my ears examined, a reader responded to my criticism of the weak lyrics in Love’s Forever Changes by arguing, “And rock lyrics should hardly be used as a measuring stick.

Elvis costello why can;t you tell me