Listen: Elvis Costello and Susanna Hoffs Celebrate Keith Richards’ 81st Birthday, Cover The Rolling Stones’ “Connections”

Photo Credit: Mark Seliger [Costello], Shervin Lainez [Hoffs]

Today, December 18, is an original member of The Rolling Stones, co-principal songwriter, guitarist, and secondary vocalist, the venerable Keith Richards’ 81st birthday. Susanna Hoffs has teamed up with Elvis Costello to mark the momentous occasion, covering the British band’s 1967 Between the Buttons feature “Connections.”

Speaking about her experience working on the track, Hoff mentions her take on Richards’ contributions, adding, “We both wanted to do the Keith part, but I won! I had the great honor of singing with Elvis at a couple of his shows, and it was a lifelong dream to record a song together.” 

“I love Keith—his smile, his swagger, his songwriting—the way he moves on stage,” Hoff expressed. “As if his guitar is a part of his body and together they meld with the music and the emotion of the song,” the songstress expressed, speaking to Richards’ ability to apply a sense of self in every performance he gives, evoking a unique brand of authenticity, in the same spirit as Hoffs and Costello, on their adaption. 

Beyond the pair above, today’s “Connections” release features instrumental accompaniment from guitarist Albert Lee, bassist Davey Faragher, percussionist Davey Faragher, acoustic guitarist and organist Pete Thompson, mandolin player Jeff Alan Ross, and strings from Ann Marie Simpson, Abby Khalek, Drew Forde, and Irina Chirkova. It was produced by Peter Asher.

Besides the original and the latest cover arrival, “Connections” has served as a well-respected country-tinged rock frequenter, appearing on Ramblin’ Jack Elliott’s Reprise Records debut and Arlo Guthrie’s 1976 LP Amigo. Moreover, the song was performed on many occasions by New Riders of the Purple Sage and sung by Jerry Garcia. 

Scroll down to listen to Hoffs and Costello’s cover.