Tonight:
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Now BBC goes bonkers with Bono's bizarre ode to Elvis
Robert Mendick5 May 2009
Radio 4 is to broadcast a "bonkers" 14-minute poem in tribute to Elvis Presley written by Bono.
The U2 frontman will recite his epic verse for the first time on the radio station - 15 years after he wrote it.
The decision to air the poem American David on Radio 4 will inevitably lead to further accusations the corporation is too close to the band. The BBC was rebranded the Bono Broadcasting Corporation for its recent coverage of U2's new album, which included a day of programming across television and radio and a "surprise" gig on the roof of Broadcasting House.
The poem, which runs to 850 words, includes such immortal lines as: "Elvis, with god on his knees/ Elvis, on three TVs/ Elvis, here come the killers bees, head full of honey, potato chips and cheese."
Another rhyming triplet goes: "Elvis white trash/ Elvis the Memphis flash/ Elvis didn't smoke hash and woulda been a sissy without Johnny Cash."
Although written in 1994, the poem was recorded for posterity only two years ago at the end of an interview Bono gave as part of a Radio 2 programme exploring the history of Sun records. Des Shaw, director of Ten Alps - the independent production company which made the Radio 2 programme - said: "During an interview with Bono he was talking about how much he loved Elvis and he said he had written a poem about him.
"I said I'd love to hear it and he ran upstairs and grabbed it and just read it for us. He said: 'There you go. Do with it what you want'.
"We've been tossing ideas around for two years, trying to work out how to produce it in a very effective but bonkers way."
The recital will now be broadcast, mixed over the top of Elvis recordings from the past 50 years, prompting the BBC to describe the broadcast as an "atmospheric and artistic feature".
The poem, which will be aired at 11pm on 13 May, will be broadcast with a warning about its language.
One line that may cause offence goes: "Elvis the bumper stickers/ Elvis the white knickers/ Elvis the white nigger ate at Burger King and just kept getting bigger." Another reads: "Elvis the ecstatic/Elvis the plastic/Elvis the elastic with a spastic dance that could explain the energy of America."
Alice Maynard, chairman of disability charity Scope, said: "While I'm sure Bono didn't intend to insult disabled people, the word [spastic] is often used as an offensive reference to someone with cerebral palsy. The word can be very insulting."
Aficionados have already noticed the poem bears remarkable similarities to the lyrics of a 1995 U2 song Elvis Ate America. One internet posting today said: "Pretty much just a rehash."
Reader views (13)
Sarah,
The people in Ireland do pay a licence fee which is local to Ireland for Irish tv channels, radio etc.
I have often been to Ireland to find most of the country falling around helplessly at the fact that they don't have to pay for the BBC. It's announced over tannoys most evenings and special prayers are said in thanks...
Should the BBC start billing the world for the world service as well?
- Mark, St Albans, 05/05/2009 17:19
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Whilst I do not agree with all the sentiments in the poem it is a sincere tribute to the Greatest Musical act of all-time. Bono is a true Elvis fan.
- Brian Quinn, Caddington - United Kingdom, 05/05/2009 16:17
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- Jonathan Melvin, Dublin
You are correct of course.
The trouble is I spent some of my formative childhood years in Ireland. Given the very poor education system in Ireland at the time, I have duly suffered because of it.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 05/05/2009 15:55
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Frank. Does he pay the British licenCe fee? (that's how you spell the noun; with a 'c' rather than an 's'). No. If his house in Ireland has a TV, he pays a licenCe fee there. Dumbo.
- Jonathan Melvin, Dublin, 05/05/2009 14:08
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l agree totally with James comments above
why dont the BBC seek out fresh new Talent
- Anon, plymouth, 05/05/2009 13:43
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Frank, Home Counties - I can answer your question: NOBODY in Ireland pays the licence fee. They watch the BBC channels and laugh at us.
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx, 05/05/2009 13:39
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agree with above comment by James simmons
Lets get this woman who ever she is on Radio and Television hear her poems l came across her on the internet to me she ooze's talent the talent we need to see and hear
however who is she!
-Arkjoan Saint Plymouth
- Whoisshe, london, 05/05/2009 13:35
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Frank,
I don't think he's short of a few bob, so paying his tv licence is probably not an issue...
What is him being Irish got to do with anything?
- Mark, St Albans, 05/05/2009 12:17
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Please, if I never hear about this egotistical monster again, it will be too soon.
- Kate, London, 05/05/2009 12:16
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This man is a vile paradigm of modern values. How can he be rewarded with publicity by the BBC?
I'd much rather here some poetry devised by innercity black teens - i'm sure that's A LOT more interesting.
- James Simmons, Home Counties, UK, 05/05/2009 12:08
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Overrated singer, overrated guitarist, overrated band. But my goodness, BIG mouth and BIG ego!
- Haskey, London SE1, 05/05/2009 10:41
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Does this Irish man pay the British license fee?
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 05/05/2009 10:17
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Sub prime Bono Bubble please burst.
- Stephen Price, kongsberg norway, 05/05/2009 10:00
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