Elvis Costello - Days

November 30th, 2004 by Rachelandthecity

I neglected to do a Thanksgiving post and now I am feeling guilty. I bitched a lot last week and should have spent more time appreciating all of the good things and great people in my life. Sometimes we all get so caught up in the pettiness of everyday interactions that we forget to take a step back and look at the big picture. I have way more people in my life that care for me than take advantage of me and I am thankful for that.

Elvis Costello has been a big deal here in Memphis since the spring. He’s been playing every few months at the Hi-Tone for the past 6 months or so. I’ve heard he is either living in MS or has a house there or is recording an album or something. Anyway, this is my favorite song he has ever done (and yes, I know it’s a Ray Davies cover, natch) because it reminds me to be thankful for the people in my life, whether they are part of my past, present or future. It was recorded for a film called Until the End of The World which, as I recall, was one of the worst films I had ever seen. However, when it came out in 1991, it was one of the best soundtracks I had ever heard. This was kind of before soundtracks were used as a major marketing ploy, but it included submissions from Talking Heads, Neneh Cherry, Lou Reed, Elvis Costello, R.E.M., Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Patti Smith, Jane Siberry with k.d. lang, T-Bone Burnett, Daniel Lanois and U2. So best.

BONUS TRACKS: Until The End Of The World, Calling All Angels

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Posted in Bitter:Sweet

6 Responses

EJ

November 30th, 2004 at 11:37 am

This soundtrack was a big deal because it was released so far ahead of the film’s release. I remember buying this album so I could have the song “Sax & Violins”, because it was reported in the press to be the last song ever to be released by Talking Heads. When I heard that line “Mom and pop, they will fuck you up/For sure/Love so deep/kills you in your sleep/completely”, I knew I had found an album I could latch on to. How delighted I was to find the Elvis Costello track on this, along with U2, REM, Jane Siberry, et. al. Nary a bad song in the bunch in my opinion.

I agree that the soundtrack is far better than the movie for which it was made. There were high hopes for this Wim Wenders epic, filmed on seven different continents. The ambition fell far short of the finished product, but at least he left us a great soundtrack. Great choice.
Anonymous

November 30th, 2004 at 12:49 pm

Wow, can’t wait to hear one of my favorite Kinks tunes done by the incomparable Elvis! Don’t know if you’re a Kinks fan, but the album that contains this song, “Village Green Preservation Society,” is amazing.
Anonymous

December 1st, 2004 at 12:48 pm

I bought the soundtrack (long since stolen) mainly for the Talking Head track too, but also becomeing a fan Wim Wenders after seeing Wings of Desire.

Even though Until the end of the world had four seperate movies within a movie with what seemed like three endings for the last part alone, I loved it. Wenders was always fascinacted with this concept (viewers watching others view movies) and has used this through many of his films. Anyhow, he has reworked this film a number of times and the 5 (!) hour cut is to come out on DVD soon. From what I’ve read this version makes a lot more sense.
Anonymous

December 2nd, 2004 at 9:44 am

Utterly wonderful! A heartfelt thank you for this one.

herself_nyc.livejournal.com
Gilberto

December 3rd, 2004 at 7:16 am

Kojak Vaariety mofos!

G.
Anonymous

December 6th, 2004 at 10:08 am

i LOVE this soundtrack! I bought it for the REM song, and fell in love with everything else on it.

i remember reading that Wim Winders gave the screenplay to all of the artists and had them write a song (or pick a cover) inspired from the film. Dunno if its true or not, but the music fits in so perfectly with the film…..