The Evolution of a Song: Deportees Club

Deportees Club, a song by Elvis Costello, underwent several changes and twists before being recognized as a work of genius. The initial version of the song released in 1984 on the album Goodbye Cruel World was considered unlistenable by Costello himself. However, he revisited the song years later, giving it a new melody and re-releasing it on a random reissue. The new version, titled Departee, became a personal favorite and garnered widespread acclaim. The story of Deportees Club illustrates the importance of perseverance and iteration in the creative process and how genius can sometimes take time to emerge.