Costello Defends His Decision to Retire “Oliver’s Army” from Live Shows
Elvis Costello, the iconic singer-songwriter, is making headlines again, but this time not for a new album or tour announcement. The controversy surrounds his decision to retire his 1979 hit, “Oliver’s Army,” from live performances and urging radio stations to follow suit.
The song, a commentary on the Troubles in Northern Ireland, includes the lyric “Only takes one itchy trigger/ One more widow, one less white n*****.” While the slur was used historically against Catholics in Northern Ireland, including Costello’s own grandfather, the language has become increasingly unacceptable in recent years.
Costello has defended his artistic choice, arguing that the slur reflects the historical context of the song. “It’s a fact,” he stated in a recent interview. “But people hear that word and it overshadows everything else. They think I’m racist, which is the opposite of what I intended.”
However, Costello acknowledges the changing landscape. “Maybe if I wrote it today, I’d think twice about it,” he conceded. He also expressed frustration with attempts to censor the song, like bleeping the offensive word. “That just draws more attention to it,” he said.
Ultimately, Costello’s decision reflects a complex issue: balancing artistic integrity with the potential to offend. While some fans support his stance on preserving the song’s raw depiction of war, others believe the hurtful language outweighs its historical significance.
The debate continues, with Costello himself seemingly unfazed. “They’ll probably play ‘Oliver’s Army’ at my funeral anyway,” he quipped in the interview. One thing’s for sure: Elvis Costello remains a provocative artist, sparking conversations even decades into his career.
