Elvis Costello: The Quiz

1. Nancy Franklin wrote in the magazine about Costello’s collaboration with Burt Bacharach. In which movie did the two musicians appear together?

“Notting Hill”

“Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”

“Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me”

“Love Actually”

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Explanation

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2. Who tells Paumgarten that Costello “can toss off an album in an afternoon”?

Diana Krall

T Bone Burnett

Paul McCartney

Jake Riviera

T Bone Burnett tells Paumgarten that Costello "can toss off an album in an afternoon."

Explanation

T Bone Burnett tells Paumgarten that Costello "can toss off an album in an afternoon."

3. “Music critics hate me and love Elvis Costello because they all look like Elvis Costello.” Which singer said this?

Steve Perry

Bret Michaels

Bryan Ferry

David Lee Roth

David Lee Roth said this quote. He is suggesting that music critics have a bias towards Elvis Costello because they physically resemble him. This implies that their judgment of music may be influenced by personal factors rather than purely objective analysis.

Explanation

David Lee Roth said this quote. He is suggesting that music critics have a bias towards Elvis Costello because they physically resemble him. This implies that their judgment of music may be influenced by personal factors rather than purely objective analysis.

4. On which album did "Everyday I Write the Book" originally appear?

"This Year's Model"

"Get Happy!!"

"My Aim Is True"

"Punch the Clock"

"Punch the Clock" is the correct answer because "Everyday I Write the Book" originally appeared on this album.

Explanation

"Punch the Clock" is the correct answer because "Everyday I Write the Book" originally appeared on this album.

5. The writer Bret Easton Ellis named two of his novels after Costello songs. Which are they?

“Veronica“ and “Love Went Mad”

“Less Than Zero” and “Sleep of the Just”

“Imperial Bedrooms” and “Less Than Zero”

“Clubland” and “God’s Comic”

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Explanation

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6. Costello had two Top Forty hits in the United States. Which of the following is one of them?

“Veronica”

“(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes”

“(What’s So Funny ’Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding”

“Watching the Detectives”

Watch Costello perform “Veronica,” “,” “(What’s So Funny ’Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding,” and “Watching the Detectives.”

Explanation

Watch Costello perform “Veronica,” “,” “(What’s So Funny ’Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding,” and “Watching the Detectives.”

7. Which Costello song has the following lines: “With only the blue light of the TV on / Lip reading threats and false alarms / There's a boy somewhere holding hands with himself.”

"Human Hands"

"Little Triggers"

"Tramp the Dirt Down"

"Radio, Radio"

The correct answer is "Human Hands". This song by Costello includes the lines "With only the blue light of the TV on / Lip reading threats and false alarms / There's a boy somewhere holding hands with himself."

Explanation

The correct answer is "Human Hands". This song by Costello includes the lines "With only the blue light of the TV on / Lip reading threats and false alarms / There's a boy somewhere holding hands with himself."

8. How does lemonade factor into Costello's life?

It was his drink of choice when he quit alcohol.

He and his father recorded a television commercial for lemonade.

He and his wife always keep it in the refrigerator; it’s their twin boys’ favorite drink.

The word “lemonade” is part of the title of one of the first songs he ever wrote (as yet unreleased).

The correct answer is that Costello and his father recorded a television commercial for lemonade. This suggests that lemonade has some significance or importance in Costello's life, possibly due to his involvement in promoting or endorsing the product. This could indicate a professional connection to the beverage or a memorable experience related to it.

Explanation

The correct answer is that Costello and his father recorded a television commercial for lemonade. This suggests that lemonade has some significance or importance in Costello's life, possibly due to his involvement in promoting or endorsing the product. This could indicate a professional connection to the beverage or a memorable experience related to it.

9. In his piece in the magazine, Nick Paumgarten talks about Costello’s alter egos. Which of the following is not one of them?

Henry Coward

Napoleon Dynamite

The Beloved Entertainer

Howard Coward

Nick Paumgarten's piece in the magazine discusses Costello's alter egos. The answer, Henry Coward, is not mentioned as one of Costello's alter egos in the article.

Explanation

Nick Paumgarten's piece in the magazine discusses Costello's alter egos. The answer, Henry Coward, is not mentioned as one of Costello's alter egos in the article.

10. Costello sings a cover of “Baby It’s You” with Nick Lowe as a bonus track on “Goodbye, Cruel World.” Which are the following songs can also be attributed to Lowe?

“Cruel to Be Kind”

“(What’s So Funny ’Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding”

“Beat of Your Drum”

“The Space Between”

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Explanation

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11. Costello's song "Alison" was modelled in part on "Ghetto Child," by the Detroit Spinners, a group popular in the nineteen-seventies. Which of the following is another Spinners single?

“Mighty Love”

"He'll Never Love You Like I Do"

"This Is Your Life"

"Marionette"

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Explanation

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12. In the book “High Fidelity,” what are Rob’s top five favorite Elvis Costello songs?

“Alison,” “Little Triggers,” “Man Out of Time,” “King Horse,” “Everyday I Write the Book”

“Man Out of Time,” “Satellite,” “(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes,” “How to Be Dumb,” “Pump It Up”

“Watching the Detectives,” “No Action,” “High Fidelity,” “Little Savage,” “All the Rage”

“Accidents Will Happen,” “Man Out of Time,” “Brilliant Mistake,” “I Want You,” “Deep Dark Truthful Mirror”

The given answer lists Rob's top five favorite Elvis Costello songs as "Alison," "Little Triggers," "Man Out of Time," "King Horse," and "Everyday I Write the Book."

Explanation

The given answer lists Rob's top five favorite Elvis Costello songs as "Alison," "Little Triggers," "Man Out of Time," "King Horse," and "Everyday I Write the Book."

13. Which of the below television shows has Costello appeared in?

“30 Rock”

“Will and Grace”

“Two and a Half Men”

“Treme”

Watch Elvis Costello on the Simpsons.

Explanation

Watch Elvis Costello on the Simpsons.

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