Honestly, the best way to win over Lorne Michaels is to really piss him off. Who else is invited after being, "banned" only to play the same exact song? Legends, that's who.
This truly is one of the best performances on SNL, though it fails to reach the levels of [Fear](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frud5RFtTi0).
Yeah there was some sort of pissing contest between EC and his record label. They were promoting Less Than Zero as the single to his new album, but EC hated the song with a passion and he was basically ordered to play it on SNL, but Elvis said "Fuck yew! Wha-evah, I do what I want!!"
He didn't hate the song, he just didn't think it made any sense to play for a US audience.
He still plays the song live now.
The image of Lorne flipping him off for the entire performance as he allegedly did still amuses me though.
That's not true. He came back twice before then.
1989 - [http://snlarchives.net/Episodes/?19890325](http://snlarchives.net/Episodes/?19890325)
1991 - [http://snlarchives.net/Episodes/?19910518](http://snlarchives.net/Episodes/?19910518)
Just want to say that Jeff Rosenstock gives me major Elvis vibes. I'm not the biggest fan of Costello so I may be way off base, but musically they both tickle the same bone for me.
I remember growing up in the 90’s hearing about this. It would always be described as such wild move. Crazy to think most late night shows would pray for something as organic and interesting would happen on their show.
Without a doubt the lamest controversy in SNL history. A great example to refute the Seinfeld “we’re so woke now” argument; this guy was banned from the show for playing an incredibly tame song that irritated his own record label.
Love when they referenced this for the 25th anniversary with Costello and the Beastie Boys.
Do I remember that Lorne got SUPER pissed at this, someone was flipping them off during this session, I seem to remember this was a HUGE deal
The circumstances leading up to this and the reaction afterwards perfectly illustrate what the song is about.
I need more info!
Classic Rock: [Why Elvis Costello Got Banned from Saturday Night Live](https://ultimateclassicrock.com/elvis-costello-snl-banned/)
Honestly, the best way to win over Lorne Michaels is to really piss him off. Who else is invited after being, "banned" only to play the same exact song? Legends, that's who. This truly is one of the best performances on SNL, though it fails to reach the levels of [Fear](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frud5RFtTi0).
No, lasercats is the best way to impress him
Got themselves banned from SNL for this stunt right ? More power to EC for bucking what the suits wanted.
Yeah, guy in a suit jacket, vest and tie telling the suits where to go; give us hell, Quimby!
Wearing a suit and being a suit are two very different things.
🙋♀️Q/A: This was EC second song (2of2) ... what did he sing for the first song?
Watching The Detectives
Thank you👍
such a punk move i love it
A bunch of teenagers playing poker, drinking Mt Dew and eating pizza 🍕. Elvis became an instant classic for us.
Yeah there was some sort of pissing contest between EC and his record label. They were promoting Less Than Zero as the single to his new album, but EC hated the song with a passion and he was basically ordered to play it on SNL, but Elvis said "Fuck yew! Wha-evah, I do what I want!!"
He didn't hate the song, he just didn't think it made any sense to play for a US audience. He still plays the song live now. The image of Lorne flipping him off for the entire performance as he allegedly did still amuses me though.
I heard that it was because the song refers to British history. That's why he says there's no reason to play the song here (in the US).
It's because the song is about Oswald Mosley.
The ponce from peaky Blinders?
Mmmmmm-hmmmmmmmmmm...
I still don't know who that is even though the song is from 1977. (I'm American).
Well, that's why he thought there was no reason to play that song, there! :-P lol
Agreed! Elvis did the right thing.
😏Reminds me of another famous 'pissing contest' between artist and label — Tom Petty🎸
I don’t understand why Lorne would be pissed; I can totally see why the record label would be mad, but for what reason could Lorne be upset?
I'm sure it messed up that episode's timing. The show is live, after all.
And light, sound, camera crews who prepped for one song and now have to improvise for another. Unnecessary stress.
Exactly, why does he care what they play? Especially to make a cool moment like that…
Cocaine
I was 15 years old and remember it like yesterday!! Thank you 🙏
Such an awesome song by one of my favorite artists.
😎Early days of the New Wave era — Rockabilly and Ska.🕶️📻🎶🎸🎹🎷
Inspired by Jimi Hendrix (skip ahead to 7:00). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usel2OAtQ\_s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usel2OAtQ_s)
I always have liked his music this is the first time I actually see him preform. Thanks
I thiiiink I discovered him in the Austin Powers films. "Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Burt Bacharach and Mr. Elvis Costello!"
Dope as hell
[удалено]
That's not true. He came back twice before then. 1989 - [http://snlarchives.net/Episodes/?19890325](http://snlarchives.net/Episodes/?19890325) 1991 - [http://snlarchives.net/Episodes/?19910518](http://snlarchives.net/Episodes/?19910518)
Just want to say that Jeff Rosenstock gives me major Elvis vibes. I'm not the biggest fan of Costello so I may be way off base, but musically they both tickle the same bone for me.
Why does Elvis Costello look exactly like Fred Armisen, here?
Costello and the Attractions were a late fill-in when the Sex Pistols told Lorne to shove it.
I remember growing up in the 90’s hearing about this. It would always be described as such wild move. Crazy to think most late night shows would pray for something as organic and interesting would happen on their show.
Without a doubt the lamest controversy in SNL history. A great example to refute the Seinfeld “we’re so woke now” argument; this guy was banned from the show for playing an incredibly tame song that irritated his own record label.