Costello, Elvis - You Little Fool Lyrics

teachable moment

To know how literate EC is, this feels like a slight nod to Graham Greene's novel Brighton Rock, considering location and lyrics. Great recent remake of that film, by the way (10 years ago, recent)

I'm aware, yeah, early Queen LPs were some of their best. I suppose I'm just more impressed with someone hoisting the tone, rather than heisting the title of a great story.

I agree with you and can add that "You little fool" will always be a bigger favorite for me than "Brighton Rock". That was just what unnoticed came to mind.

@Kalle K Well noted, thanks, Kalle. Did you read EC's response to being graced with an OBE from the prime minister last year (T May)? Pretty touching and of course, witty reply to the whole experience.

It's been diced and quoted here and there, but the full thing is on an EC website, I suppose one that he ordains.
https://www.elviscostello.com/#!/news/298460

I have just now read everything he wrote and it was interesting, thoughtful and emotional words.

It only makes it even clearer that it really requires a brilliant talent and ability to both create amazing music and combine it with enriching and clever lyrics.

This girl on video is now nearly 55-60 I guess

This is a dark song even for him. Ouch.

i loved this album and video

lmao.........elvis reminds me of pee wee herman. i love you elvis.............

Haven´t heard this since ca.1986! Totally forgot how good this Song is!

According to the back of the Right Spectacle DVD this video was directed by Brian Grant,a well know maker of 80s music videos.
However,who the girl is,I've no idea ?
I don't have a DVD player so can't check if there's any commentary by Elvis regarding this video on the DVD.

who was the pretty girl in the video?

Saw Elvis and the Imposters (his old band under a new name!) at the Turning Stone Casino in Upstate NY last night...a truly great show!!!

Lucky you.

It's not his old band that's why the new name. The Attractions had Bruce Thomas on bass, big difference

Thx for the info on the show, DOCCS. No surprise, but good to hear.

Call it nostalgia, but music of our youth is a trip in time when we hear it now. Kids today aren't going to get that from what they're hearing because it will soon be forgotten. Interesting.

temazo!!

Wow! How am I NOW just discovering that there were actual videos shot for so many of these songs? Either way, I'm stoked as hell to make such a gradual-but-mindblowing discovery!!!!

0:44
Pepsi&Coke

Elvis, Bruce and Steve all get roles... Pete anywhere in this one?

Drunken Suitcase He’s the waiter at the diner

video makes no sense in relation to the song

why? the lyrics are about a spoilt lonely teenage girl looking for love.

Looks like she got up the duff,which was the kind of gist of what'd happened in the lyrics I always thought. And then they both got kicked out of school.

Can we just take a moment to appreciate Mr Costello as a headmaster? <3

You deserved better but remember this was released, what some 38 years ago and the topic is our hero.

I know right.

Greying at the temples; he was only 26!

Yes! And him at this age and Stephen Colbert almost look like twins.

Great tune and video...

Reminds me so much of that era. I'm from the Brighton area where this is filmed , and the music scene was brilliant there at the time. Was courting my wife around there at that time as well and this just takes me back to those great times.

Is that Geoff Emerick as the Hotel Clerk?

I believe it is. He produced the album.

Nope. Doesn't look anything like him.

This is how we listen to Elvis all the time in LA.
Some of our ww2 personal friend heroes are dead now.
Such as Bill Blair and Lyman Ennis. They were family guys
who fought the nazis before I was born.
Billy Joel is great but Elvis is mostly what I listen to for catchy
riffs and lyrics.

Pete. Take my advice. Don't get involve in situations like that. Headmaster Elvis looked like he felt bad. Compassion that he wished was shown when he was in school, perhaps?

Or a chance at getting some action more like it.

who's the beautiful actress playing the young girl? (and yes, I realize she's a middle aged woman by now)

I've tried to find that out too. She's the best thing in the video

Her busty friend in the yellow top ain't bad herself. Nice profile at 0:20.

Saw him live recently....rather keen on this album, as am I

Good job, Fabio Coentrao!

Could EC be my headmaster?❤️

But to be the real fool is nobody"s interest.

i remember seeing it on Music 21 a video channel here in Argentina late 80s , haven t seen it again until now, 27 years on, i thought the girl in the video has the most brittish face ever.

me acuerdo, ponian un enganchado de videos (de una hora de duracion) de costello, alla por el 88 (en ese entonces poco conocido en argentina)

Her appearance is like the quintessential "English Rose", a common term for women that have that look, Princes Di had the same look.

Hey British people is this Brighton on the English Channel???

Yes Brighton.

Is that Costello as headmaster?

Elvis hated MTv; I find the movie cute but jarring; the images don't match the lyric at all. Even if I view it sardonically, it doesn't work. I doubt he had much control over the video.

Actually Elvis enjoyed making this promo video and I quite like rewatching it.

This video makes me smile very widely :D

Get the idea that Schoolmaster Declan felt bad that he threw his charges out of school. British rock n rollers were in line or queue pointing out how mindless and unsympathetic the British Education System was.

Immense song.

hnnnnnngggg this song is so good :(((((

Amazingly, there seems to be no information about this video on the web. Director, cast, anything.

Check out "The Right Spectacle" DVD. 27 EC tracks, all have a commentary by him.

It might be The Corner Cafe, Empress Place, near West Brompton tube. Doubt it's still there though!