1983’s “Everyday I Write the Book” is one of my most favourite tunes from Elvis Costello. There’s used to be a music video, an insanely beautiful interpretation of the song by Ron Sexsmith, but I couldn’t find the hi-def YouTube version. Goddamn.
This song has inspired me much to be a writer (that’s a lie, too dramatic, plain bs haha).
But, yes, I was really into writing letters (pen pals thingie back then, in the early 90s). Thanks to “Everyday I Write the Book”. It made think that expressing yourself through writing, write like you talk—like how Costello doing it in the song—it’s a cool thing to do.
“Chapter One we didn’t really get along
Chapter Two I think I fell in love with you
You said you’d stand by me in the middle of Chapter Three
But you were up to your old tricks in Chapters Four, Five and Six”
Those words, sweet and pretty straight forward, you like them so much you think you understand them. They are light. And shiny at the same time.
Costello cited Nick Lowe and Rockpile as an influence on the song. “Lowe has always been a songwriter from whom I’ve taken cues—see his song ‘When I Write the Book’ and my song ‘Everyday I Write the Book’.”
“Everyday I Write the Book” is included in Costello’s eighth full-length album Punch the Clock. It was Costello’s first US Top 40 hit. NME ranked Punch the Clock at number 345 in its list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Happy National Book Day!
• Read also PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LET ME GET WHAT I WANT.
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Featured image via Best Classic Bands.
