And they pulled him out of the polled polled ground: Elvis Costello Poll Results

Here are ones I'd torch.

I like at least four of them

haha "Pidgin English" was #1 on my ballot. I thought it was odd that it didn't make the cut, but apparently some really dislike it...?

"two little hitlers" is a good tune but a terrible lyric, yeah

I always assumed it was an indulgent reference/sequel to Nick Lowe's "Little Hitler."

"Two Little Hitlers" is a bizarre ditty but the lyric actually works because that part is so damn catchy. It may also be his vocal too which is just right for it - a prettier or "nicer" voice couldn't pull it off. I guess that might apply to a lot of those vitriolic songs on the first three albums.

*actually works for me

I find "Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood" very atmospheric - the pensive marimbas, and startling metallic raking sound in the chorus. I also love the hazy VGPS-era Kinks shuffle feel, and chromatic descending chord hook in "Dr. Luther’s Assistant".

I hate his shouty voice.

Hitler analogies to limn relationships, whether EC or Woody Allen's, were gross even in the Carter era.

Would you have objected to the original title of Armed Forces: Emotional Fascism?

It's the jaundiced perspective of an unreliable narrator. Saying it's gross feels like it's missing the point, especially when you broaden the argument to include Woody Allen - his work never felt like it was anything but his own real life voice, often to a fault.