Red Mosquito

Kevin Davis wrote:I'm into it. Very TYM-ish.

On January 14th, 2022, Elvis Costello and The Imposters release, ‘The Boy Named If,’ a new album of urgent, immediate songs with bright melodies, guitar solos that sting and a quick step to the rhythm.

‘The Boy Named If’ is preceded today with the release of a new rock & roll song called, “Magnificent Hurt.”

Costello tells us, ”The full title of this record is 'The Boy Named If (And Other Children’s Stories). ‘IF,’ is a nickname for your imaginary friend; your secret self, the one who knows everything you deny, the one you blame for the shattered crockery and the hearts you break, even your own. You can hear more about this ‘Boy’ in a song of the same name,”

Speaking of the lyrical content of the record, Costello added, “Once upon a time, when I didn’t know what a kiss could do and didn’t even dare to caress, the way ahead was a mystery; a departing from that magic state called innocence for the pain that leads to pleasure and all that jazz.”

“Don’t get me started about the guilt and shame and all those other useless possessions that you must throw overboard before you set sail with your dreamboat (and a runcible spoon),” remarked Elvis.

"Two days ago I was at Capitol Studios, a mile from here, with a 30-piece orchestra and a rhythm section, cutting two songs I wrote with Burt Bacharach. ... By the end of the day we had these two beautiful songs we're going to issue next year as part of a package celebrating the, it'll be 21 years since Painted From Memory came out next year. And I thought everything that I wanted to be as a songwriter is embodied being the lyricist for two Burt Bacharach songs realized at this level, with musicians who were totally committed to the job in hand. And, at the end of the day, when he came in to thank them, stood up, they gave him a standing ovation. That's about as an emotional experience as I've had in a studio."