Nick Lowe

All I have to say is that Nick Lowe is an amazing songwriter. His biggest hit (and source of endless royalty checks) is “(What’s So Funny ‘bout) Peace, Love and Understanding,” which Elvis Costello recorded. Lowe’s tunes are full of hooks, but his wordsmithing is what grabs me. Here are three selections spanning a few decades of work, starting with this performance of “So it Goes” with his band Rockpile in 1978.



And another one from the same era: Crackin’ Up.



This last is from Lowe’s 2007 album “At My Age.” You just have to love the cadence and syncopation as he delivers his lyrics, perfectly squeezed into the space available.