Lyrical Themes in Elvis' albums

Pretty self-explanatory
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Miclewis
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Joined: Sat Jun 17, 2006 8:21 am
Location: Connecticut

Lyrical Themes in Elvis' albums

Post by Miclewis »

I never hear much discussion of literary themes in Elvis Costello albums. I don't want to call Elvis' albums "concept albums", but they do have many lyrical themes running throughout them.

Some of my suggestions:
This Year's Model: treating woman as inanimate objects

Armed Forces: "Emotional Fascism": comparing politics and sexual politics

Trust: once again comparing political paranoia and sexual jealousy

Punch the Clock: the "Working Class" in 80's Britain

Goodbye Cruel World: Death

King of America: comparing the Reagan/Thatcher 80's to the Eisenhower 50's. Also, miscommunication seems to be a theme

Spike: opposites - comedy vs. tragedy, rich vs. poor, etc...
Plus the notion that you can say so much politically through humor and satire (Elvis playing the fool)

Mighty Like a Rose: the world, music, and Elvis's career just past the peak - starting to decline and rot in its "over ripeness"

All This Useless Beauty: the decline of art and western civilization, in general.

Brutal Youth: nicely mixing Elvis' early career (This Years Model) and his childhood. (nice references to Penny Lane, for example, when Paul was looking back at his childhood)

I could go on and on. Discuss!!!!!!
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