This version is even more perfect than the recorded album version. This man is just... untouchable. I love how so many of his songs have the power to both break and mend your heart at the same time. He brings meaning to the word 'beauty.'
In every musical style known. I once heard that Elvis goes to the encyclopedia of music, randomly rips out a page, eats it and then can write a whole album in that style...flawlessly.
The brilliance of this solo performance perfectly illustrates the all too clever production of Spike. It's the basic essence of the performer that sells the song.
Saw him play it for the “Spike” tour at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley. It was so rad. I remember he had a spoken word intermission ramble that was brilliant. About god. He said that god made the world in seven days, and that on the eighth day the devil came and invented advertising to pay for it. I wish I could remember more. But there ya go…
Awesome, thank you SOOOOOO much for posting this. Used to have this on VHS as well and lost it. These performances are simply great, many even better than on the Spike CD. Thanks again!
I love the irony in this great song. The video reminds me of the gig at Pinkpop in 1989 where he gave a solo gig on his guitar. Impressive performance.
Master Piece ,,it ,doesn´t need the marvellous voices,bass ,strings and other arrangements that has the ´¨original version¨¨ It always comes to my mind when someone i love leaves this world...(i´m not a believer)
I wish you'd known me when I was alive, I was a funny fellow The crowd would hoot and holler for more I wore a drunks red nose for applause Oh yes I was a comical priest With a joke for the flock and a hand up your fleece Drooling the drink and the lipstick and greasepaint Down the cardboard front of my dirty dog collar Now I'm dead, now I'm dead, now I'm dead, now I'm dead And I'm goin' on to meet my reward I was scared, I was scared, I was scared, I was scared He might have never heard God's comic So there he was on a water-bed, drinking a cola of a mystery brand Readin' an airport novelette Listening to Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Requiem" He said, before it had really begun, "I prefer the one about my son I've been wading through all this unbelievable junk And wondering if I should have given the world to the monkeys" Now I'm dead, now I'm dead, now I'm dead, now I'm dead And you're all goin' on to meet your reward Are you scared, are you scared, are you scared, are you scared? You might have never heard God's comic I'm goin' to take a little trip, down paradise's endless shores They say that travel broadens the mind Till you can't get your head out of doors I'm sittin' here on the top of the world, I hang around in the longest night Until each beast has gone to bed And then I say, "God bless" and put out the light While you lie in the dark, afraid to breathe And you beg and you promise, and you bargain and you plead Sometimes you confuse me with Santa Claus It's the big white beard I suppose I'm going up to the pole, while you folks die of cold I might be gone for a while if you need me Now I'm dead, now I'm dead, now I'm dead, now I'm dead And you're all going on to meet your reward Are you scared? Are you scared? Are you scared? Are you scared? You might have never heard, but God's comic
Post the whole tape PLEASE ! The whole "Spike" album is amazing , as is "Brutal Youth", & "All This Useless Beauty" . My favorite Elvis phase , by far.
It's about a religious person being coy and telling god oops I fucked up. IE. It's not about religion at all, it's about reconciling your own worst impulses.
I believe he may be refering to a book of life which is wriiten of in scripture as being a record of your life by which God will judge you when you die. I dont think the word comic is used to disrespect... merely to refer Gods greatness compared to how great mankind THIINKS it is. Or he may also be suggesting that mankinds behaviour on earth is childish in a mocking way.
Yes check my channel - I uploaded the whole thing many years ago when we were limited to 10 min videos on RUclips, so it's broken into six parts, but it's all there ruclips.net/video/nBtV6vN-F7I/видео.html
Both. It's a fantastic play on words: the standard chorus ends on "He [God] might never have heard of God's Comic", referencing his fear that, after his life as God's Comic, a priestly comedian, he hasn't garnered any recognition from the almighty. After a few sidesplitting verses on and from God himself, the final chorus ends differently: "You might never have heard, but God's Comic". This cements the double meaning: he's saying that you shouldn't be scared when you're going on to meet your reward, because a funny, sardonic, Comic God awaits you. God's
Or perhaps implied hypocrisy... i.e. People dont live as though they do believe in God ... but as though they DO think of God the Bible as a comic....and God as no more true than Santa.
This version is even more perfect than the recorded album version. This man is just... untouchable. I love how so many of his songs have the power to both break and mend your heart at the same time. He brings meaning to the word 'beauty.'
00ß
Absolute pinnacle of brilliance, in writing and delivery.
I was obsessed with the album when it was released.
It's happening again ......
It's not fair , I haven't written one decent song in my life and he writes one every five minutes.
No real answer
In every musical style known. I once heard that Elvis goes to the encyclopedia of music, randomly rips out a page, eats it and then can write a whole album in that style...flawlessly.
He's a musical poet genius. A rare thing
The brilliance of this solo performance perfectly illustrates the all too clever production of
Spike. It's the basic essence of the performer that sells the song.
I miss being 22.
I love it when he plays alone with a guitar, it really proves that his song are extraordinary good songs.
The second verse is seriously my all time favorite lyric of all time.
I so underrated this when I heard the album.. this version brings it to life so much more.. genius as usual.
This is the most brilliant song ever written in the English language. I've seen him twelve times and he's never once played it. Le sigh.
I couldn't agree more! Not a repeated verse anywhere, well crafted and just beautiful.
just want to agree - a fantastic, rarely heard and under recognized song by the king.
He did it a cappella in Minneapolis once...
Saw him play it for the “Spike” tour at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley. It was so rad. I remember he had a spoken word intermission ramble that was brilliant. About god. He said that god made the world in seven days, and that on the eighth day the devil came and invented advertising to pay for it. I wish I could remember more. But there ya go…
Elvis, Bruce and Neil - amazing songwriters for our generation.
"Sometimes you confuse me with Santa Claus, it's the big white beard I suppose..."
The best line I've ever heard in a song ❤
A masterpiece! The song AND Elvis Costello
Elvis at his best, angry and venomous vocals
Awesome, thank you SOOOOOO much for posting this. Used to have this on VHS as well and lost it. These performances are simply great, many even better than on the Spike CD. Thanks again!
Thanks so much for the upload. It's brilliant!
It's just not possible for me to choose a favorite, but this is my favorite to sing along with a little feeling and a lot of smug, lol.
Great song. I used to work for this Rock Station here in Brazil and whenever there was a chance I would sneak-played this track. Thanks for posting.
fantasic, I saw him about 3 years ago perform this song exactly like this, wonderfull version thanks a lot
One of my favorites. Give me the willies every time I hear it.
Love the venom with which he sings the words "Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Requiem'"
Perhaps my favorite EC song.
It's like method singing...he really gets into character.
Just came back from seeing him play this live - bloody marvelous :)
A masterclass in Mindblowing
I just discovered this recently and I am huge Costello fan...As you might imagine, I like it.
this is such a gem! thanks so much!!! love this song, and this minimalist version does great justice to his words, phrasing, musicianship
Thank you for sharing this video - love seeing the live version so much!
Recently found this great version of my favorite EC song. Thanks.
Elvis is king~!
Simply fantastic
Maybe my fav EC song. Brilliant and acerbic.
Best Melody ever!
Brilliant, never thought i would see this again,ever.
Thanks.
The "airport novelette" ref was at the time I am quite certain a dig at the absolutely execrable Jeffery Archer. Just another reason to love the man.
It really is a great and different song. Love the camera work here at the beginning where the light shade sort of mosies up the screen and it pans in.
The line I like is... 'He said, before it had really begun, "I prefer the one about my son" that is a great line.
How can someone be so good can you tell me?
Be. Let other judge
I love the irony in this great song. The video reminds me of the gig at Pinkpop in 1989 where he gave a solo gig on his guitar. Impressive performance.
Master Piece ,,it ,doesn´t need the marvellous voices,bass ,strings and other arrangements that has the ´¨original version¨¨
It always comes to my mind when someone i love leaves this world...(i´m not a believer)
I wish you'd known me when I was alive, I was a funny fellow
The crowd would hoot and holler for more
I wore a drunks red nose for applause
Oh yes I was a comical priest
With a joke for the flock and a hand up your fleece
Drooling the drink and the lipstick and greasepaint
Down the cardboard front of my dirty dog collar
Now I'm dead, now I'm dead, now I'm dead, now I'm dead
And I'm goin' on to meet my reward
I was scared, I was scared, I was scared, I was scared
He might have never heard God's comic
So there he was on a water-bed, drinking a cola of a mystery brand
Readin' an airport novelette
Listening to Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Requiem"
He said, before it had really begun, "I prefer the one about my son
I've been wading through all this unbelievable junk
And wondering if I should have given the world to the monkeys"
Now I'm dead, now I'm dead, now I'm dead, now I'm dead
And you're all goin' on to meet your reward
Are you scared, are you scared, are you scared, are you scared?
You might have never heard God's comic
I'm goin' to take a little trip, down paradise's endless shores
They say that travel broadens the mind
Till you can't get your head out of doors
I'm sittin' here on the top of the world, I hang around in the longest night
Until each beast has gone to bed
And then I say, "God bless" and put out the light
While you lie in the dark, afraid to breathe
And you beg and you promise, and you bargain and you plead
Sometimes you confuse me with Santa Claus
It's the big white beard I suppose
I'm going up to the pole, while you folks die of cold
I might be gone for a while if you need me
Now I'm dead, now I'm dead, now I'm dead, now I'm dead
And you're all going on to meet your reward
Are you scared? Are you scared? Are you scared? Are you scared?
You might have never heard, but God's comic
Michael. ..you are now truly God's Comic
miss you everyday
The sexiest man alive!
Brilliant , remember watching this at the time
Post the whole tape PLEASE ! The whole "Spike" album is amazing , as is "Brutal Youth", & "All This Useless Beauty" . My favorite Elvis phase , by far.
Thank you 🙏
Questo è il Costello che mi piace. Grande!
it's finally up - enjoy.
Thank you for this... I love you.
Sublime
can't explain the wonderfulfullnesss of this video
Love his little diastema 🖤💙🖤
How can someone be so good?
Now we want the rest of the vhs, please.
spike is arguably his best album
'Miss Macbeth' as sinister as it is wonderful.
Eleanor Rigby's cousin? 😆
I have to agree, every track on that album is fantastic
a great song from as great album
His eyes at 4:27
...they say that travel broadens the mind, til you can't get your head out of doors.
studio version carries most amazing harmonies at the chorus
All him too
Elvis is the King.
Great version of this song (even if he does muff the very last guitar note!)
@PeglegZombie your comment perfectly sums up his music . have felt that way about it since I was 11 yo when I first heard his music and I'm 33 now :-)
OMG! What a blast!
this guy is just in a class by himself...most original style.
This is great!
Acoustic joy!
thank you!
It's about a religious person being coy and telling god oops I fucked up. IE. It's not about religion at all, it's about reconciling your own worst impulses.
How can someone be so good can you tell me iamascarydinosaur?
Real deal..always was..always will be.
How good is that deft subtle hammer at 3.13...?
eil77-
Both are intended! That's why the lyrics to this song are so
great!
Aw, seems he likes that one to me. I hope he does a rock tour again. :D The Imposters should do this. :D
will do asap - having technical issues, will try to sort this weekend.
will do - stay tuned.
this is genious
From his album spike, his best album
Funny & sad song.
Too bad no xylophone, I liked that from the album version. Thanks for a cool post though.
I believe he may be refering to a book of life which is wriiten of in scripture as being a record of your life by which God will judge you when you die.
I dont think the word comic is used to disrespect... merely to refer Gods greatness compared to how great mankind THIINKS it is. Or he may also be suggesting that mankinds behaviour on earth is childish in a mocking way.
yes
Perhaps in the "end" lol we may find out
He's saying that god has a cruel sense of humor
I'm scared.
Is the full special available anywhere?
Yes check my channel - I uploaded the whole thing many years ago when we were limited to 10 min videos on RUclips, so it's broken into six parts, but it's all there ruclips.net/video/nBtV6vN-F7I/видео.html
Mac demarco is tha you mate?
Out of curiosity, what do you mean by reincarnation is kept in the middle?
could anyone explain the phrase "god's comic" please? Does he mean god IS comic, or is he referring to himself as the comedian of god?
Both. It's a fantastic play on words: the standard chorus ends on "He [God] might never have heard of God's Comic", referencing his fear that, after his life as God's Comic, a priestly comedian, he hasn't garnered any recognition from the almighty. After a few sidesplitting verses on and from God himself, the final chorus ends differently: "You might never have heard, but God's Comic". This cements the double meaning: he's saying that you shouldn't be scared when you're going on to meet your reward, because a funny, sardonic, Comic God awaits you. God's
@@callumsutherland2954 thanks for this precious comment!
who is this song about?
Its a tribute to dead comedians.
+Svein C Johannessen I hope you are kidding. Because you couldnt be more wrong
The fact that people listen to this and talk about whether it is dealing with belief in god just goes to show how ignorant people can really be.
Or perhaps implied hypocrisy... i.e. People dont live as though they do believe in God ... but as though they DO think of God the Bible as a comic....and God as no more true than Santa.
How can someone be so good can you tell me?
I'm scared.