Live Stream: Elvis Costello Performs New Songs

Elvis Costello's new album, National Ransom, comes out tomorrow — but you can stream Costello and the Sugarcanes performing songs from it tonight, starting at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time. The album was recorded with a hybrid electric-acoustic band that mixes members of the garage-rocking Imposters and a crew of top Nashville pickers. It "juxtaposes time and place," Costello says. "It includes old ballads, gospel, rhythm & blues, rock and roll and some country elements. I don't know what kind of music it is."

Watch: Elvis Costello Talks New Disc, 'National Ransom'

National Ransom includes historical narratives ("Jimmie Standing in the Rain" is about a 1930s British country singer) and classic Costello male-female turmoil (the rockabilly shuffle "Five Small Words"). And there's even a first for Costello: the whistle solo on the jaunty acoustic swing tune "A Slow Drag With Josephine." "I've kept that talent under wraps," he says. "You've gotta keep something in reserve for the third decade, you know?"

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Song Stories

“Time to Pretend”

MGMT | 2008

Listening to MGMT’s breakthrough song, one might interpret it as being about the excesses of rock stardom, but it’s actually about the duo’s pet praying mantis. Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden told Rolling Stone they got the idea from the insect's jerky movements. The mantis died, but the two bandmates kept the egg sack and allowed the hundreds of eggs to hatch. “We tried to name them all, but they died after a day,” said Goldwasser, with VanWyngarden chiming in, “But the praying mantis dance inspired us.”

More Song Stories entries »

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