His first three albums (My Aim Is True, This Years Model and Armed Forces) are flawless

my fave Elvis Costello song! ♥

It was 1978, so yup...'70's! . Elvis Costello was considered one of the 1st 'new wave' artists to emerge. I believe it was a vox organ Steve Nieve was playing. You should try 'Veronica', or any of his songs. He's done it all. wrote with everyone from McCartney to Bacharach. And...He's STILL going strong! ( He and his ankles must be made of steel!)

Nike offered Elvis a huge amount of money to use this song for their pump up sneakers and he refused to sell out!)

Elvis Costello has been a major artist for 45 years. This is the start of his career when he was considered New Wave and yes his first three albums (My Aim Is True, This Years Model and Armed Forces) are flawless as another commenter said. Elvis Costello has done albums that are more mainstream, country, soul, standards and even classical. An extraordinary career that's still going.

That sound is a Hammond organ, it had a revolving speaker !

This songs a jam, man. 😎

That's probably a Farfisa keyboard or duplicated sound of one. They were popular in New Wave Music.

" What's so Funny about Peace, Love and Understanding " "Alison ".

That "sound" was popular in the 60s, 70s, and 80s music because musicians played REAL INSTRUMENTS. This is my favorite EC&TA song and was my anthem in the 80s!

Totally 70s. 😎

I went to see his concert last wk, I was so excited. OmG it was soooooooo bad. So, so, so bad. I was so disappointed because I love this song and so many of his other songs. He still had the talent but he just didnt even TRY. Stacie from Boston

Elvis & the Attraction, The Clash ,Patti Smith were the forefront of a Punk/ New Wave . Breaking away from the Rock band sounds.They stand the test of time

Late 70s music moving into punk and new wave. I think most people related 70s music to groups like Eagles, Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blue Oyster Cult, etc. You might want to check out another group started in the late 70s called "XTC" - a fun song called "Mayor of Simpleton" is a good one.

I would call this song a crossover from late 70s to 80s alternative.

The song may have dropped in 1978, but it feels more '80s. Its electronic, hard-driving punch is more aligned with the 1980s synth genre.

He's intentionally trying to look a bit like Buddy Holly and the Crickets. They were famous for the song "That'll Be the Day" (1957). Holly died in a plane crash at age 22. "American Pie" by Don McLean was a song about that day, "the day the music died." To my ears and sensibilities, Elvis Costello is a little ahead of the pack, ahead of the curve, and I tend to class his music as 80s, even though he started making waves around '76-'77. Maybe he's considered New Wave? That was late 70s, but kind of predicting the 80s. I guess Blondie and The Cars would be part of that group. Skinny ties and a keyboard were part of the look, IIRC.

Do yourself a favor and check out Graham Parker and the Rumour . The " best kept secret in the west ". Don't Ask Me Questions or Stick To Me, reggae or rock GP is an original .

react to 70's bangers Pussycat Mississippi & Clout Substitute & 90s banger UK female duo Shakespeare's Sister Stay

For the late 70’s, that keyboard sound was retro-more of a mid-60’s sound. For example, compare “96 Tears” by ? and the Mysterians, a hit from 1966. Elvis Costello’s style (clothes, hair, and glasses) were also retro for that time. It was kind of a punk-era aesthetic.