Michael's Sidetracks #12

Today's song is very special, if not old.  But, it has a fantastic story to the actual clip, Rock music and television history to be exact.

Way back in December 17th, 1977, the Sex Pistols were scheduled to perform on Saturday Night Live, but couldn't get visas due to multiple arrests.  the producers of SNL had to get an act fast, and cheaply.  An unknown britsh group called Elvis Costello and the Attractions was touring nearby at the time.  Just signed to Columbia records at the time, and no one has hear Elvis Costello, except for imports, Columbia offered up Elvis and told him what song to play they thought would be the best chance of a hit, "Less Than Zero".

The song was played for dress rehearsals and ready to go live, despite Elvis's protests that the song was inappropriate, due to it being about a British prime minister and not ideal for an unknown act first time on national american TV.

Now for cool ass rock n' Roll n' Roll incarnate.  Elvis Costello on live TV stopped playing "Less Than Zero" after a few bars, and said, "Stop! Stop!  I'm sorry ladies and gentlemen, there's no reason to do this song here...Radio, Radio!" (quite ironic, considering the song is about corporations controlling talent).  Defying the record company, SNL producers, trowing off the shows rigid timing, and in the process, being banned from SNL for over a decade, and becoming an instant hit-making legend.

(hard to find the clip.... follow the link if you have to)

Footnote: for a special bookend surprise, follow this link to a SNL 1999 clip afterwards...


Group: Elvis Costello and the Attractions
Song: Radio, Radio





I was tuning in the shine on the light night dial
Doing anything my radio advised
With every one of those late night stations
Playing songs bringing tears to my eyes
I was seriously thinking about hiding the receiver
When the switch broke 'cause it's old
They're saying things that I can hardly believe
They really think we're getting out of control

(CHORUS) Radio is a sound salvation
Radio is cleaning up the nation
They say you better listen to the voice of reason
But they don't give you any choice 'cause they think that it's treason
So you had better do as you are told
You better listen to the radio

I wanna bite the hand that feeds me
I wanna bite that hand so badly
I want to make them wish they'd never seen me

Some of my friends sit around every evening
And they worry about the times ahead
But everybody else is overwhelmed by indifference
And the promise of an early bed
You either shut up or get cut up, they don't wanna hear about it
It's only inches on the reel-to-reel
And the radio is in the hands of such a lot of fools
Tryin' to anaesthetise the way that you feel

(REPEAT CHORUS)

Wonderful radio
Marvelous radio
Wonderful radio
Radio, radio
(FADE)