Elvis Costello reveals why he won't sue Olivia Rodrigo for 'Brutal'

Elvis Costello fully supports Olivia Rodrigo.

In a new interview with Vanity Fairthe Rock and Roll Hall of Famer shared his thoughts on Rodrigo's Sour Album opener “Brutal” seemed inspired by his angsty 1978 anthem “Pump It Up.” He told the publication that artists “allude to (the song) in their own arrangements.” Like Olivia Rodrigo’s producer obviously did.”

“Well, I haven't found any reason to pursue them legally for this because I think it's ridiculous,” Costello continued. “It’s a common language of music. Other people clearly thought differently about other songs on this record.”

Costello is apparently referring to a number of copyright issues with Rodrigo's singles, including “Deja Vu,” which she once said was partially inspired by Swift's “Cruel Summer,” before quietly retroactively crediting Swift as a co-writer. A similar scenario occurred with Rodrigo's “Good 4 U,” for which she retroactively credited and split royalties to Paramore's Hayley Williams and Josh Farro after listeners pointed out similarities between the song and “Misery Business.”

The “Radio, Radio” star defended Rodrigo on social media back in 2021, responding to a user who pointed out that “Brutal” and “Pump It Up” sound similar. “That’s fine with me, Billy,” he told the X-user. “That’s how rock and roll works. They take the broken pieces of another thrill ride and make a brand new toy. That’s what I did.”

He also included the hashtags “#subterreneanhomesickblues” and “#toomuchmonkeybusiness,” in reference to the respective songs by Bob Dylan and Chuck Berry that influenced “Pump It Up.”