Elvis Costello Orders Fans to 'Steal' His New Box Set Over Jacked-Up Price

"As I walk through
"This wicked world
"Searchin' for light in the darkness of insanity.

"I ask myself
"Is all hope lost?
"Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?

"And as I walked on
"Through troubled times
"My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes

"So where are the strong
"And who are the trusted?

"And where is the harmony?
"Sweet harmony.

"...'cause each time I feel it slippin' away,
"Just makes me wanna cry.
"What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?"

--Elvis Costello

I like some of Elvis Costello's music, including "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding?"; "Watching the Detectives; "Oliver's Army"; "Pump it Up"; "Every Day I Write the Book" - and although I prefer the Dave Edmunds version, Elvis Costello wrote the lyrics to "Girls Talk":

"There are some things you can't cover up...
"With lipstick and powder
"I thought I heard you mention my name,
"Can't you talk any louder ?

"I suppose you're going to have to play it by ear

"Don't you think that I know by now

"That the word up on everyone's lips
"Stick that you're dedicated

"You may not be an old fashioned girl
"You're still going to get dated

"Was it really murder ?
"Were you just pretending ?
"Lately I have heard you are the living end..."

But fgrdfgdas makes a sound point.

It reminds me of Morrissey, lead singer for the Smiths, during the 1980s, perhaps the world's only celibate vegetarian rock star.

Morrissey is/was rumored to be gay, but as my friend Anantarupa dasa (who spent a number of years traveling through India on pilgrimage, as a wandering monk or mendicant himself) said, "If he's celibate, who cares?"

Morrissey is a vegetarian for ethical reasons, and the Smiths 1985 album Meat is Murder was on college radio stations everywhere at the time.

But it appeared Morrissey wasn't leading an ascetic life for religious reasons, as he was distrustful of organized religion.

This was reflected in lyrics to songs like "Vicar in a Tutu" from 1986:

"As Rose counts the money in the canister
"As natural as rain, he dances again and again..."

And in the title track to The Queen is Dead:

"Pass the pub which wrecks your body
"And the church, all they want is your money..."

Morrissey's cynicsm toward organized religion nonwithstanding, my friend Valmiki dasa (another celibate vegetarian!) commented in response: if Morrissey himself isn't after money, what's he doing making music, selling albums and CDs?

I woul be happy just to steal Diana Krall...