Elvis Costello "Pills and Soap"
Published May 27, 2003
SONG TITLE: PILLS AND SOAP
PERFORMER: ELVIS COSTELLO
SONGWRITER: ELVIS COSTELLO
YEAR OF RELEASE: 1983
COMMENTS: Here's the perfect pop song. It is a classic pop song: catchy singable chorus ("What would you say,..."), rhythm hooks aplenty (the handclaps, for one), everything to make you hum it and clap your hands later
walking down the street, as I have done repeatedly.
Only, it's a pop song for maybe, like, an Alfred Hitchcock movie. The main vocal melody is low pitched and cold. (The echo chamber effect on the vocals is nice.) Speaking quietly and calmly, but too even pitched - something's wrong. The real expression of fucked-upness comes from Steve Nieve and his gently and subtly disturbed keyboards. Again, Nieve's Norman Bates keyboards are a whole layer of hooks in themselves. Tasty ear candy - with razor blades in it.
As to the lyrics. Despite Elvis' reputation as a wordsmith, this song is definitely here because of the melody and arrangement, cause these words don't really add up. There are several well realized horror scenarios, such as the ghoulish media scene. Especially, the central image: "Children and animals two by two. Give me the needle, give me the rope: we're going to melt them down for pills and soap." That's a very nicely perverted invocation of Noah's ark. There are numerous nicely gruesome lyrical hooks. But what's the point? Is it supposed to be that Reagan and Thatcher are killing the poor people, or some such nonsense? Please. Whatever it is, it is not really very clear.
However, I would advise leaving a wide berth between you and the very disturbed person dreaming this nightmare.
- Elvis Costello "Pills and Soap"
- Published: May 27, 2003
- Type:
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Alternative Rock, Music: Classic Rock and Oldies, Music: Pop, Music: Rock
- Writer: Al Barger
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Comments on this articleComments
and speaking of remasters, where's the al barger commentary on 'em?
specifically, the extra demo-like material.
i love this stuff. it's probably why i like the townshend/scoop stuff.
songs in their 'raw' form. sort of.
Great song. It's anti-Thatcher, and I think it was rushed out for the '83 General Election. He played it on Top of the Pops, and it's funny seeing the early-80s kids trying to dance to such a strange melody.
Having said that, it's not really up there with the EC classics: Beyond Belief, Watching the Detectives, I Want You, Shipbuilding and No Action. Check out his first seven albums, all gems.
"Pills and Soap" is as strong and catchy a tune as Elvis ever wrote- and just as important- it's also one of the heaviest, darkest emotional expressions. This'll go head to head with just about anything Elvis ever wrote.
That said, I can't make much argument with your listings. Except, I don't see "No Action" as being nearly in the league with these others.
I used to have the single of this song, released under the pseudonym "The Imposter." I wish that I could say I still have it, but I don't. I used to play it on the radio in Dallas a couple of years after it was released.
It is still my favorite musical memory from the 80's--a most forgettable musical decade for the most part save those rare bursts of originality and authenticity.
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Punch The Clock remains the only Costello album I haven't heard yet - can't find it used, and Rhino seems content to drip out those remasters at a glacial rate.
I never understand the reasoning behind these very, very slow remaster release schedules. I will buy any EC remaster that comes out, guaranteed, and so will a great many other people. C'mon, Rhino, put 'em out already!