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I never saw Buddy Holly perform but somehow the gaunt frame and awkward stance of the young man on the album cover — the obtrusive black-framed glasses, owlish on a Christopher Robin face, coupled with an obvious gift for writing songs that rivals most contemporaries — evokes an image of what Holly must have been like; uniquely talented but glaringly out of place among the glittering personae of his peers.
The young man on the album cover is Elvis Costello. His real name isn't Elvis, of course, it's Declan, but the nickname fits well for Costello is the kind of tough street-kid-become-rock and roller that the Elvis portrayed in Jailhouse Rock.
Here's Costello, in a Melody Maker interview explaining his pursuit of a recording contract: "… I went around for nearly a year with demo tapes … and it was always the same response. 'We can't hear the words..' There aren't any singles.' Idiots. Those tapes were just voice and guitar demos. I didn't have enough money to do anything with a band. It was just a lack of imagination on the part of those people at the record companies. I felt as if I was bashing my head against a brick wall. Those people just weren't prepared to listen to the songs. It's a terrible position to be in. You start thinking you're mad. You listen to the radio and you watch the T.V. and you hear a lot of fuckin' rubbish. And all the time you know that you're capable of producing something infinitely better.
"But I never lost faith. I'm convinced in my own talent … I wasn't going up to these people meekly and saying, 'Look, with your help and a bit of polishing up and with all your expertise and knowledge of the world of music we might have a moderate success on our hands.' I was going in thinking: 'You're a bunch of fuckin' idiots who don't know what you're doing. I'm bringing you a lot of good songs, why don't you go ahead and fuckin' well record them?' They didn't seem to understand that kind of approach."
Most record company executives couldn’t even begin to comprehend the brashness of a young tough like Costello. Consequently, dozens of times he found himself literally assdown on the pavement in front of some record company’s doorway, tossed out into the street. But perseverance prevailed and at the 30th odd company Elvis approached, a pleasant surprise was in store for him. The company was Stiff Records and they found Elvis’ demo tape to their liking – they signed him almost immediately. (He has since severed his relationship with Stiff.) Not that the contract was any multi-million dollar deal. Again, in Melody Maker Elvis relates: “There was no phenomenal advance. They bought me an amp and a tape recorder. I’m glad they’re not subsidizing me to any greater extent. I don’t want to any greater extent. I don’t want to be put on a retainer and spend my time ligging around record company offices like other musicians.
“I don’t want any charity. I want to be out gigging, earning money. I don’t want anything for nothing. I’m not asking anybody for their fuckin’ charity.“
Apparently charity isn’t a concept Costello favors, be he on the giving or receiving end. His hard times with the major record companies before he was finally signed have led him to some very bitter actions. At one particular opening night performance, minutes before the gig was to begin, he was seen carrying the press’ guest list in his hand, crossing out all the names he felt had dealt him dirt in the past.
It is rumored that he carries a small black book with him that is filled with the names of people with whom he can’t wait to be extremely uncharitable. In a business where it is not unusual to kowtow to someone who minutes before you had wished the worst curse upon, Elvis Costello is truly an unusual and interesting person.
But most interesting about Costello is his music. He has always wanted to perform (until recently, he worked as a computer operator in an Elizabeth Arden factory in England) and now the lifetime desire is his to enact. Critics and the public alike are praising his first album entitled My Aim Is True.
The album’s success in England led to Columbia Records negotiating a sub-contract with Stiff Records for United States distribution. Costello is a hot item and the album is full of the kind of fire that warms the cockles of even the most jaded of rock critics’ hearts. It’s chockful of good short tunes all written with a sharp pen that can just as easily cut as it can pamper. Songs like “Less Than Zero,” “(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes,” “I’m Not Angry,” and “Miracle Man” are simply sensational. It may have been an uphill battle all the way but Elvis Costello has arrived – and all on his own terms.
Welcome to the States, Elvis. And if your aim be true, let go fierce and furious; there’s a bullseye waiting for you.
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