Elvis Costello - Less than Zero

Elvis Costello (Declan MacManus, international jewel thief) is a very influential musicians on many modern bands. He had a way with lyrics that were on par with Bob Dylan. The album My Aim is True demonstrated his talent and was also one of his most accessible and critically acclaimed albums.

The song "Less than Zero" shows Costello's lyrical ability and his characteristic rockabilly style. You'd never believe that this song came out in 1976 when you hear Costello's rough garage rock voice and the chugging low toned guitars. Then out of nowhere the verses sound like they should be in a reggae song. That's talent.

Calling Mister Oswald with the swastika tattoo,
there is a vacancy waiting in the English voodoo,
carving "v" for vandal on the guilty boy's head.
When he's had enough of that maybe you'll take him to bed
to teach him he's alive before he wishes he was dead.

[Chorus:]
Turn up the TV. No one listening will suspect,
even your mother won't detect it,
no your father won't know.
they think that I've got no respect
but everything means less than zero.
Hey, ooh hey, hey, ooh hey.

Oswald and his sister are doing it again.
They've got the finest home movies that you have ever seen.
They've got a thousand variations: every service with a smile.
They're gonna take a little break, and they'll be back after a while.
well I hear that South America is coming into style.

[Chorus]

A pistol was still smoking, a man lay on the floor.
Mister Oswald said he had an understanding with the law.
He said he heard about a couple living in the USA.
He said they traded in their baby for a Chevrolet.
Let's talk about the future now we've put the past away.

[Chorus]