Sometimes I wish that I could stop you from talking, when I hear the silly things that you say. - Elvis Costello

A senior BBC music programmer smarmed up to me and took this opportunity to remind me of my diminished status in his petty universe, “Of course, you’d have had a lot more hits if you’d just taken out all the sevenths and minor chords.” I suppose I would have had even more, if I’d only taken out all of the music entirely and most of the words, too.

When the media attention switches away from this story onto the next thing that happens in the world, the circumstances will still be there.

I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused...