Elvis is king. Everyone knows that. The question, of course, is which one- Presley or Costello?
With due respect to Elvis the First, if your criteria for picking the king are based on technical artistic achievement, Elvis Costello totally rules. For starters, Costello rates as one of the dozen or so best songwriters in the rock music tradition, where Presley wasn't a songwriter at all.
Given that, though, there's still something missing. Costello's great, but somehow isn't quite Elvis. What exactly did Presley have on Costello? You could also think of this as a way of exploring Costello's artistic limitations.
I've got a few ideas on that. I've been listening to an all-Elvis music mix. It's rather instructive to hear the two bouncing off one another. I picked up several points of dominance for Presley.
First of all, Elvis Presley had a really rare animal magnetism. By this I do not mean simply sex appeal. He drew heterosexual men in with that dynamic force about as strongly as women. I don't know how to analyze this magnetism, how to break it down. I don't know that it would do any good. The other obvious example of this in his generation was Marlon Brando.
This magnetism may be more a gift from God than the result of any study or work, but it sure comes through. Obviously, watching Elvis just draws you in, even in ridiculous movie roles. Then, there's the prime experience of watching him singing on stage.
It comes right through even just in his voice, however, as evidenced by his actual records. Anyone can make a great song sound good, but Elvis could turn a mediocre, generic song like "Milkcow Blues Boogie" or "I Love You Because" into an unforgettable classic. He breathed life into all kinds of material that would lie there flat for most people.
Costello has many artistic advantages over Elvis Presley, but no mere mortal Englishman could compete with that presence. Costello has actually developed into one of the best vocalists in the history of recorded pop music, but he could never have made "That's Alright, Mama" into a cultural landmark.
Article comments
1 - Lono
Al - dude, brohan... you have WAY TOO MUCH free thinking time. Seriously. As the world's greatest rock thinker (with an ode to the Duke on the side), I don't think this much about the two even when I am shitting without a newspaper.
Frankly, they can't be compared in my eyes. Sure, they share a name (with Deckland McManus help)... but should I do a piece on Axl Rose vs my truck Axl? No. The reason is because one Axl is a monster asshole and the other fixes my truck.
Sorry, honestly don't mean to sound angry... I am just riffing.
2 - Eric Olsen
I find this analysis very interesting and informative and also agree with the conclusion. I am unaware that there are rules for what you can and cannot compare - I'd say the analysis itself proves its own worth. And that metal device between the truck wheels is spelled "axle"
3 - Antfreeze
Can't argue with ya Albert. Neat entry.
Presley's advantage here is partly one of material. All the great simple songs have been writ. There's nothing left but the puns, wordplays, and modified old adages that pass for songwriting today. Presley was a black man in a white boy's body. Too much soul and rhythm for a white boy. That was the magnetism. Match it up with that face and that voice, tough combo to top. Plus Scotty Moore on guitar. Costello is a great songwriter who has come up with some great simple songs, (Pump it up) he's just cool enough not to copy other's work. Presley's advantages are primarily genetic and he made no real innovations to music. Costello innovates, Presley regurgitates.
4 - Amber Nussbaum
I loved the examples you chose, particularly from Costello's catalog. The Other End of The Telescope is another rather visceral vocal performance of his that I have always liked.
Great post!
5 - Temple Stark
Fair to both sides. You CAN do it. :-)
Nice writing.
Since the only Elvis Costello song I ever liked was Veronica, I'll stick with Elvis the First. Bossanova is my favorite there - most of the time.
6 - Distorted Angel
[Counter examples, where Costello breaks on through to the other side or at least has a happy relationship: ...hmm. I'm drawing a blank here.]
Well, I think he's at least leaning in that direction in North, although it's arguably not his best work, and isn't in a genre that would benefit from a comparison to Presley (or Lennon-McCartney, for that matter).
7 - Mark Saleski
though not really the only catlyst, presley was definitely a part of initial wave (call it a revolution if you want) of rock and roll. this is why he's the king.
you'll get no argument with me about costello the songwriter. he's the man.
8 - Jim Carruthers
If you need to break it down in analysis, Presley was a brilliant performer who suffered from questionable quality control in the volume of material, while Costello is a brilliant songwriter who suffers from questionable quality control on what he records.
Both men are omnivorous fans of popular music in many categories.
For an example of how Costello has QC problems (since Peter Guarlnick has already written two benchmark books on Presley) I point to "The Judgment" which Costello wrote for Solomon Burke on his Anti album, and which EC performed on his most recent. The Burke version is authoritative, while the EC version sounds like what it is, a songwriter's demo. Which is where it should have stayed.
Anyways, Happy 70th Elvis!
9 - Temple Stark
>>> If you need to break it down in analysis, Presley was a brilliant performer who suffered from questionable quality control in the volume of material, while Costello is a brilliant songwriter who suffers from questionable quality control on what he records.
That further summarizes things beautifully. The Elvis' sure bring out the clearheadness in people.
I think we can take things one step further. Do you think ice-skater Elvis Stojko would dance better to Presley or Costello?
10 - Eric Olsen
another issue is the distinction between a career based upon sincerity vs one based upon irony - in almost all instances irony turns sour over time
I think it both funny and revealing that Costello's greatest performance is on a cover ("Peace Love and Understanding," which he belts out without a hint of irony)