Many people over the years have commented on Elvis Costello's wry perceptions of life through his very own TV lenses. His ability to write with emotion and detachment at the same time have endeared him to many, affording him both critical acclaim and a long and successful career.
People underestimated his visionary powers though. How could the listener possibly understand the Orwellian prophecies that were unleashed on the unsuspecting cognoscenti in 1979, when young Declan warned us of the growth of that peculiar British slant on the US TV religions, namely the celebrity TV chefs ? Don't say we weren't warned. At a time when Keith Floyd was still sober, when Gary Rhodes had normal hair, and when Ainsley Harriott was having the piss taken out of him at school for having a silly name, Elvis Costello was warning us of impending doom. "Oliver's Army is here to stay", he sang. "Oliver's Army are on their way, and I would rather be anywhere else than here today."
We should all take heed of the words of McManus, and scour subsequent recordings for clues of impending fate. His Nostradamic qualities enhance the recordings, rather than detracting from the thought-provoking lyrics and stirring melodies.
