Elvis Costello Addresses Controversy Surrounding 'Oliver's Army' and Tour Updates
Elvis Costello recently addressed the controversy surrounding his decision to remove the song 'Oliver's Army' from his setlist due to its inclusion of a racial slur. In 2022, Costello announced that he would no longer perform the track live and urged radio stations to refrain from playing it on air. The song contains a line with a derogatory term historically used against Catholics in Northern Ireland.
In 2025, Costello reintroduced 'Oliver's Army' to his live performances but altered the lyrics to remove the offensive word. He explained that he made this change to prevent the word from overshadowing the song's message. Despite facing criticism for his stance on the song, Costello stood by his decision and emphasized the importance of focusing on the song's meaning rather than a single word.
During a recent interview, Costello elaborated on his decision to revise the lyrics of 'Oliver's Army' and the backlash he received for his previous comments about the song. He emphasized that his intention was to ensure that the song's message was not lost in controversy and expressed frustration with those who dismissed his actions as being "woke."
Reflecting on the song's history and the context behind the controversial word, Costello acknowledged that he might approach the song differently if he were to write it today. He clarified that the word was based on his grandfather's experience in the British army and was not intended to offend. Despite the challenges he faced regarding the song, Costello remains committed to performing it with the revised lyrics.
Costello is currently embarking on a tour with The Imposters in the UK, starting in Brighton on June 12th and including stops at various venues across the country. The tour will feature performances at Symphony Hall in Birmingham, the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Barbican in York, as well as shows in Manchester, Portsmouth, and a special homecoming performance at the Olympia in Liverpool.