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I can't actually play any instrument properly. I can't read music. And here's the New York Times calling me the new George Gershwin. It was so ridiculous, really embarrassing. It was embarrassing to watch these people fall into the trap of their own critical conceits.

— Elvis Costello

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More quotes by Elvis Costello

When the media attention switches away from this story onto the next thing that happens in the world, the circumstances will still be there.

WARNING: This album contains country & western music and may cause offence to narrow minded listeners.

Warning label on Almost Blue (1981)

My ultimate vocation in life is to be an irritant, someone who disrupts the daily drag of life just enough to leave the victim thinking there's maybe more to it all than the mere hum-drum quality of existence.

New Music Express interview with Nick Kent (1978)

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.

What shall we do, what shall we do with all this useless beauty?

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Elvis Costello (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.