Elvis Costello Named OBE: 'It Confirms My Long-Held Suspicion Nobody Really Listens To The Words'
Bonnie Stiernberg
20 hrs ago Elvis Costello has been named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to music, and though he's "happy to accept this very surprising honour," the legendary singer-songwriter posted a note to his website admitting that he had mixed feelings about receiving the distinction.
Costello's music has often been critical of British imperialism and politics, particularly on tracks like "Oliver's Army" or "Tramp the Dirt Down." He explained in his note that he decided to accept the honor after discussing it with his mother.
"I began my call by telling my Mam that the Prime Minister, Mrs. May, had put my name forward for an O.B.E," he writes. "'But she’s rubbish,' Lillian cut in before I could complete the news. Well, that aside, I said, 'Of course, I won’t be accepting the award'. I didn’t get much further with that statement either. I listened carefully to my mother’s argument that if something is deserved then one must be gracious in acceptance. So, as a good lad, who likes to do what will make his Mam most proud, I knew that I must put old doubts and enmities aside and muster what little grace I possess."
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http://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/elvis-costello-named-obe-it-confirms-my-long-held-suspicion-nobody-really-listens-to-the-words/ar-AACy8S2?ocid=ientp
