(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding? 2022

[Brian]

That song -- written by Nick Lowe in 1974 and first heard in the U.S. in 1979 on an album by Elvis Costello and the Attractions -- might be the greatest peace anthem since the heyday of John and Yoko with "Give Peace a Chance," "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" and "Imagine" along with Cat Stevens' "Peace Train." Can you think of another peace song since that has stood the test of time like "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?"  I also love more recent anti-war anthems by Ian Hunter, Neil Young, Kris Kristofferson and Steve Earle -- I could fill a mixtape -- but none of those have broken through to the masses like this.  Nick wrote it as a rebuke to the mid-1970's anti-hippy sentiment in England when he played in a pub rock band called Brinsley Schwarz.   Years later, he recorded Elvis Costello and the Attractions covering the tune as their producer, at Elvis' suggestion, then released it in 1978 as a B-side of a single credited to Nick Lowe and His Sound.  Someone had the good sense to add it to the American release of the "Armed Forces" album and the rest is history.

Elvis Costello appeared on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" for a full hour last week as an interview guest and he performed a new song with the Imposters.  Drummer Pete Thomas and keyboardist Steve Nieve were also in the Attractions, so they've been playing "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?" with Elvis for 43 years.  As often happens, CBS posts post-broadcast videos on You Tube:



I cued it up to the song for this post, but if you slide to the beginning you'll hear "Farewell, OK" from the new album.

[Sharon W]

This has always spoken to me

[Sharon W]

And this little ditty -