Song of the Day #5: Watching the Detectives by Elvis Costello
Growing up, I’d always had a fleeting sort of fondness for Elvis Costello, but it wasn’t until I became an adult that I finally really discovered and fell in love with his music. He has a lot of incredible songs, and while it isn’t my favorite from his catalog, “Watching the Detectives” is nonetheless the song that instantly made me realize an undeniable truth: Elvis Costello is one of the coolest motherfuckers on the planet.
“Watching the Detectives” was released in 1977, and was Costello’s very first UK hit single. It is #354 on Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest songs of all time. Apparently Costello wrote the song after staying up all night long listening to the Clash.
Well, no wonder I love it.
