Radio Radio
Elvis Costello, The Imposters
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I was tuning in the shine on the light night dial Doing anything my radio advised With every one of those late night stations Playing songs bringing tears to my eyes I was seriously thinking about hiding the receiver When the switch broke 'cause it's old They're saying things that I can hardly believe They really think we're getting out of control Radio is a sound salvation Radio is cleaning up the nation They say you better listen to the voice of reason But they don't give you any choice 'cause they think that it's treason So you had better do as you are told You better listen to the radio I wanna bite the hand that feeds me I wanna bite that hand so badly I want to make them wish they'd never seen me Some of my friends sit around every evening And they worry about the times ahead But everybody else is overwhelmed by indifference And the promise of an early bed You either shut up or get cut up, they don't wanna hear about it It's only inches on the reel-to-reel And the radio is in the hands of such a lot of fools Tryin' to anesthetize the way that you feel Wonderful radio Marvelous radio Wonderful radio Radio, radio
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Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO
Lyrics © CONSALAD CO., Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Creation and Inspiration"Radio Radio" is a protest song written against the commercialization of radio broadcasts. Elvis Costello aimed to criticize the loss of the spirit of music in favor of profit-making strategies.
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Album InformationThis anthem was initially not included on Elvis Costello's second album “This Year's Model," instead, it was later added to the American pressings of the album.
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Controversial Live PerformanceQuite notoriously, Elvis Costello played 'Radio Radio' on his debut Saturday Night Live (SNL) show in 1977 despite the producer's explicit instructions not to perform it due to its controversial lyrics. This act of defiance got him banned from SNL for almost twelve years.
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Recent AppearancesCostello performed 'Radio Radio' again in 25th anniversary of Saturday Night Live in 1999 to mockingly commemorate his earlier act of rebellion.
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Musical Composition and AwardsHighly appreciated for its energetic punk-rock composition, 'Radio Radio' was ranked number 13 on the Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time."
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Relevance and ImpactThe song is sometimes referenced in popular culture as a critique of the corporatization of music and media i.e., thriving on sensationalism while disregarding creativity and authenticity.
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Song Release InformationIt was originally released as a single in 1978 by Radar Records in the UK and Columbia Records in the USA.
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Use in Educational MaterialThe song has been used in college courses to prompt discussions about the relationship between artists and the radio industry.
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Social CommentaryMore than being just a song, 'Radio Radio' is a statement against the control that corporations have over the music that fans get to hear.
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Song Influence'Radio Radio' has influenced many other protest songs and artists that followed, making it a seminal piece in punk rock history.
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Citation
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"Radio Radio Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 8 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/27710571/Elvis+Costello/Radio+Radio>.
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