I can understand why Elvis Costello has asked radio Stations not play this on radio anymore when you consider the racial overtones of it.
I love the song and have respect for Elvis' request.
The cynic in me thinks the royalties have dried up because it doesn't get the air time it used to and he's tried to make himself look good by asking them not to play it
Perhaps sometimes it takes 42-43 years to be sure (?)
Even if he has apologised for his infamous description of Ray Charles.
TBF he hasn’t tried to suggest that he has had a moral change of heart. He still defends the lyric.
But stations now play it with that word cut out. And every time they do, he still gets grief over it, because everyone knows what word has been censored. He’s been pretty straight that the dwindling royalties aren’t worth the hassle.