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Can you imagine watching Let Loose in 2000? Take That in 2005? Or Suede in 2010?
No? I don't doubt you. Yet back in 1978 I was sitting in my bedroom, surrounded by the likes of The Damned's "Neat Neat Neat," loads of Clash singles and Elvis Costello's "(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea."
If you tried to convince me then that I'd be watching our Elvis playing the same song to some oldies in 1994 I'd have probably spat in your face and called you any name made up of four letters.
But then we come to last night. Last night Mr Costello, light on beard these days, but not so slight of girth, took the stage of a totally sold out Brighton Dome. He was once again reacquainted with his backing band the Attractions and, 14 songs into a glorious set he was playing the aforementioned song.
And it was so good I felt young and alive again. For three minutes anyway. Well, that's an almighty lie, because for two hours — 27 songs if you will — I felt extremely alive, for Costello is the master of the short pop song, and last night he plucked out gems most of us had long forgotten.
Oh, there were many new songs taken from the recent Brutal Youth album — "13 Steps," "Pony Street," "London's Brilliant Parade" and "Sulky Girl" standing out — but for us oldies when he launched into "Chelsea," "Watching The Detectives," "No Action," "Oliver's Army," "Alison," "Lipstick Vogue," "Shipbuilding," "I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down," "Good Year For The Roses," "Green Shirt" and "Peace, Love And Understanding," the years were stripped away.
Elvis and the Attractions were so smooth they operated like a jazz band who had been together for years, falling into the Doors' "Break On Through" and the Troggs' "Wild Thing" during the night.
We'd had bets beforehand that the night would end with "Pump It Up," and it did, but at the same time we lamented the fact that "New Amsterdam," "Everyday I Write The Book" and "Radio, Radio" didn't get an airing. But that's bound to happen. Elvis has too many great songs to satisfy everyone in one night.
Even without the odd favourite last night was pop rock at its best. Basic lights, four piece band and perfect pop songs. As Elvis would say ... 1, 2, 3, 4 GO!
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