Following the release of his 31st studio album Hey Clockface last month, Elvis Costello went back into the archives and put a fresh look on one of his most celebrated hits with a new video for “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding?”. Shared over the weekend, the video comes as part of Costello’s massive Armed Forces box set which arrived on November 6th.

The Complete Armed Forces takes a look back at the pub-rocker/proto-punker’s 1979 seminal album. Featuring such coveted hits as “Peace, Love & Understanding”, “Accidents Will Happen”, “Oliver’s Army”, and more, the record cemented Costello as a dominant voice in the future of the punk/new wave movement. On the deluxe reissue, fans received a bevy of demos, outtakes, and 23 live tracks recorded at The Reagent Theatre, Hollywood High, The Dominion Theatre, and more throughout 1978—1979.

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In the new video, Costello takes an animated approach whose artistic stylings mimic that of the album’s splatter paint cover. The artwork was created by Costello himself as well as late graphic designer Barney Bubbles, featuring animations taken from Costello’s most recent tour prior to the pandemic. Between the graffiti, archival WWI photographs, and Costello’s vintage lyricism, the new video for “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding?” is a reminder that the struggle for peace is everlasting and stretches back from today’s struggles through those of 1979 and beyond.

Watch the new music video for Elvis Costello & The Attraction’s (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding?”. Click here to order The Complete Armed Forces box set, or stream the reissue here.

Elvis Costello & The Attractions – (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding?”

[Video: Elvis Costello]