NIKE Offered Legend a FORTUNE To Use His Classic Hit..Now HE REGRETS His Decision!-Professor of Rock

Coming up next, an interview with one of the greatest, most legendary singer-songwriters of the rock era, Elvis Costello… on his breakthrough Watching the Detectives, a song that took him to the masses, and an in-depth look at one of his finest albums My Aim is True. Costello stayed up for 36 hours straight to write this iconic song coming from insomnia, a lot of coffee, and a debut album of a band that would be his inspiration but was also a rival. It would jumpstart the career of one of music’s greatest writers culminating years later when he would sit eyeball to eyeball with Paul McCartney and write over a dozen songs that impressed the former Beatle so much he said it was the closest he’d felt to writing with John Lennon since his death. You gotta see this interview, next on Professor of Rock.

#classicrock #80smusic #vinylstory #elviscostello

It’s time for another edition of our show Revelations where featured artists share rare stories behind their greatest songs and albums. Insight you won’t find anywhere else. Today we have a fascinating interview with legendary singer-songwriter Elvis Costello as he tells the story of pulling an all-nighter writing Watching the Detectives which would kick off a whole new musical revolution in the late 70s and we go in-depth on some of the key tracks from his 1986 masterpiece King of America which TRACES THE SONGWRITER’S MUSICAL ODYSSEY THROUGH AMERICA, FROM HOLLYWOOD TO THE SOUTH AND BEYOND, AND LONGTIME CREATIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH T BONE BURNETT, IN a brand NEW SIX-DISC BOX SET OUT right now. Plus writing songs with Paul McCartney. It was one of my favorite interviews. Let’s get into it.

Make sure to pick up Elvis Costello’s brand new box set: King of America and other realms. THIS DEFINITIVE COLLECTION FEATURES NEW 2024 REMASTER OF CLASSIC 1986 ALBUM, KING OF AMERICA; PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED 1987 LIVE CONCERT RECORDED AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL, LONDON; NEWLY DISCOVERED “RED BUS DEMOS” AND A
COLLECTION OF SONGS AND COLLABORATIONS FROM COSTELLO’S RECORDING ADVENTURES ACROSS THE U.S., INCLUDING UNRELEASED DEMOS, OUTTAKES AND LIVE RECORDING This one-of-a-kind 97-track musical journey is guided by Costello in a newly self-penned 35-page essay beautifully illustrated with numerous rare and never-before-seen photos in a 57-page booklet. The discs are housed in a handsome 12” x 11.5” package. A startlingly beautiful cover shot by Terence Donovan reveals the majesty and absurdity of a king in his velvet and bejeweled crown and embroidered denim jacket. Click here to get it or below in the description. Leave us a comment.

[ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is your pick for the song with the Greatest Lyrics from the Rock Era?

[johnathansaegal]

19:05 ... this is what I love about your interviews, Adam. The exact thing Costello was grateful for; you didn't ask the cookie-cutter questions and you had a real conversation about his work. I think he was absolutely sincere when he said he enjoyed talking with you and you turned it into a conversation instead of a series of worn-out same old questions.
That was a great compliment he gave you. You should hold that compliment in high regard. I wish your dad was here to hear Elvis say that to you.

[lawrenceperson]

"She's filing her nails while they're dragging the lake" is one of the greatest lyrics of all time.

[georgedolen]

Saw Elvis Costello on SNL in 1977 and I bought the album "My Aim is True" the next day. My favorite Elvis Costello song is "Beyond Belief" from the "Imperial Bedroom" album, it's a lyrical masterpiece.

[imaspoon]

Thank you! A long time ago I asked for Elvis, but I never thought you'd interview him!

[jimmykincaid-rhxv]

Every time I see Elvis in concert, "Watching the Detectives " is a highlight.

[sariahut]

Elvis Costello is amazing! Watching the Detectives is an absolute classic. Thank you for this fantastic interview. You’re absolutely correct, he’s truly a class act.

[fjcrod]

A true legend. He's one of the reasons that rock n roll flourished once more, after it had been almost supplanted by the Disco movement.

[constipatedinsincity]

I remember meeting Elvis Costello in the 80's When he released Every day I Write the Book!

[christineml]

I always loved Elvis' look - the flood pants were a great touch. Us nerds appreciated his style.

[Bob]

His wife is the super talented and beautiful Diana Krall. I’ve enjoyed his music since the 70’s.
Great interview. Thank you Adam.

[martineldritch]

Met him in a supermarket in LA a dozen years ago. He was looking at some canned soups and I was looking at some canned soups. He looked at me like I just bumped him out of some reverie and walked away; before I could even ask him if the Brits were into New England clam chowder..maybe just as well..Rock on Elvis 😂🥣🎶

[deantoso]

I have never been a big Elvis Costello fan. So, I do not have a ton of knowledge about him. Thanks for the amazing interview to help me rectify that error. Now, if it could have been even longer?!

[elizabethp]

I don't know about Greatest Lyrics of all time, but... my favorite lyriCIST has not changed since I was 16 years old: Elvis Costello. THANK YOU for this masterpiece of an interview, Professor!

[bobbest]

When I was 20 years old, I bought Elvis Costello‘s first album. My name is true before I heard it based on an article I read about this sensational, new young artist. Then I played it to death… all my college buddies would come over we would drink and sing along. Every song on that album was great… We were amazed. Very fond memories.

[e-handle]

My Aim... L P. On the G.O.A.T. List, pushing 50 yrs now 🕺⚡

[PunkRockPete]

Great interview. Elvis Costello is one of the greatest lyricists in RocknRoll history

[TerrickTerran]

Elvis is in the building. Keep up these great guests, Prof and the awesome t-shirts.

[williamgaines]

An intersting insight. He wanted the songs to be individual to each listener rather than be associated with a particular product or thing, then realizing that it would not change that individuality if eventually associated. Choosing art over ca$h is the artists prerogative, but that dough, sometimes, gives the artist room to breathe.

[georgemathie]

Flowers in the dirt is a fantastic Paul McCartney album and when you got Elvis Costello contributing a few songs with the legend himself you get some amazing music and this is why I'm such a McCartney fan is Paul always collaborated with these modern artists and songwriters and he always welcomed their input and musical influences and whether it worked or not it gave Paul a fresh new musical Avenue to explore