I mentioned a week or two back in my rant about Elvis Costello that “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding” may be overlooked because it lacks irony. Some might find it interesting to note that the song originated with Costello’s producer, Nick Lowe, in his band Brinsley Schwarz. The original version was a mocking commentary on the peace anthems of the ’60s. Considering Costello’s persona at the time – sometimes called the “avenging dork” – his own version of the tune should logically follow a similar M.O. In a recent commentary on Costello’s album, Armed Forces, Franklin Bruno suggests that audience for pop criticism may be unlikely to accept the argument that Elvis Costello and company produced an unironic and sincere take on the material. Bruno mentions two alterations from the original song. First, Costello sings complete the song’s title line, whereas Lowe’s original interpretation trailed off in mocking blather. Second, a heavy-handed four-line spoken interlude was removed. Adding this to the Attractions’ spirited performance and Costello’s soulful vocals leads us to the conclusion: “I don’t presume to know whether EC, or Lowe, or anyone else involved ‘means it, man‘; it’s enough that the record they chose to produce and release does.” And how.
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