A poetic lyricism is wedded to hard-edged arrangements by Long Island-born, Paris-based singer/songwriter Elliott Murphy. Although none of his songs have reached the Top 40, Murphy's influence is reflected through the music of Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, the Velvet Underground, and Talking Heads. Guests on Murphy's albums have included Shawn Colvin, Phil Collins, Billy Joel, Sonny Landreth, Bruce Springsteen, and members of the Violent Femmes, the Smithereens, Talking Heads, and the Velvet Underground. During Springsteen's 1996 European tour, Murphy was even invited on the stage in Paris to sing an acoustic duet version of his tune "Rock Ballad."