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It's been a quarter century since Elvis Costello recorded with his backing band the Attractions— bassist Bruce Thomas, drummer Pete Thomas and keyboardist Steve Nieve—but the albums they made together remain some of the most iconic in his catalog. As the singer-songwriter releases his latest solo effort, Hey Clockface, here's a look back at some of th...
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Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1978 Elvis Costello, under exclusive license to Universal Music Enterprises, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Nick Lowe, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1979 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Allen Alvoid Jones Jr., ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Homer Banks, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1980 Elvis Costello Ltd.
Nick Lowe, Producer - ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - COLIN FAIRLEY, Producer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1986 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - COLIN FAIRLEY, Producer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1986 Elvis Costello
Jerry Chesnut, ComposerLyricist - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - BILLY SHERRILL, Producer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - RON "SNAKE" REYNOLDS, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Eddy Hudson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1981 Elvis Costello
David Bedford, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - Pete Thomas, Cymbals, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Claudia Fontaine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Winstanley, Producer - Jeff Blythe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Paterson, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Hammond Organ, Piano, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - COLIN FAIRLEY, Producer, Assistant Producer - Gavin Greenaway, Producer, Assistant Producer - Bruce Thomas, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Caron Wheeler, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Morris Pert, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Russell, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Paul Speare, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Plews, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1983 Elvis Costello
David Bedford, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - CLIVE LANGER, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Pete Thomas, Cymbals, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Claudia Fontaine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Chet Baker, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Winstanley, Producer - Jeff Blythe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Paterson, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Hammond Organ, Piano, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, Synclavier, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - COLIN FAIRLEY, Producer, Assistant Producer - Gavin Greenaway, Producer, Assistant Producer - Bruce Thomas, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Caron Wheeler, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Morris Pert, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Russell, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Paul Speare, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Plews, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Wistanley, Producer
℗ 1983 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Dan Hersch, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1978 Elvis Costello, under exclusive license to Universal Music Enterprises, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1979 Elvis Costello
Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Geoff Emerick, Producer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Producer, Guitar, Associate Producer, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jon Jacobs, Producer, Assistant Producer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1982 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Dan Hersch, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Neil King, Producer, Assistant Producer
℗ 1981 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1980 Elvis Costello
Hank Williams, ComposerLyricist - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - BILLY SHERRILL, Producer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - RON "SNAKE" REYNOLDS, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Eddy Hudson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1981 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Neil King, Producer, Assistant Producer
℗ 1981 Elvis Costello
Bob Ludwig, Masterer - KEVIN KILLEN, Post-production & Remix by - Mann, Writer - Sam Gibson, AssistantEngineer - Pete Thomas, Drums, Percussion - Geoff Emerick, Producer, Mixer, Engineer - Steve Nieve, Electric (sensonics) Drums, Keyboards, Piano - ELVIS COSTELLO, Composer, Lyricist, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar, Vocals - Anthony Lycenko, AssistantEngineer - Ciaran Cahill, AssistantEngineer - Elvis Costello And The Attractions, MainArtist - Bruce Thomas, Bass - Jon Jacobs, Mixer, Engineer
2005 © 1996 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1996 Warner Records Inc.
Bob Ludwig, Masterer - Paul Mccartney, Writer - KEVIN KILLEN, Post-production & Remix by - Sam Gibson, AssistantEngineer - Pete Thomas, Drums, Percussion - Geoff Emerick, Producer, Mixer, Engineer - Steve Nieve, Electric (sensonics) Drums, Keyboards, Piano - ELVIS COSTELLO, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar, Vocals, Bass - Anthony Lycenko, AssistantEngineer - Ciaran Cahill, AssistantEngineer - MAC MANUS, Composer, Lyricist - Elvis Costello And The Attractions, MainArtist - Bruce Thomas, Bass - Jon Jacobs, Mixer, Engineer
2005 © 1996 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1996 Warner Records Inc.
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1979 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Neil King, Producer, Assistant Producer
℗ 1981 Elvis Costello
Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Geoff Emerick, Producer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Composer, Producer, Guitar, Associate Producer, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jon Jacobs, Producer, Assistant Producer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1982 Elvis Costello Ltd.
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1978 Elvis Costello, under exclusive license to Universal Music Enterprises, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Nick Lowe, Producer - Dan Hersch, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1978 Elvis Costello, under exclusive license to Universal Music Enterprises, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Merle Haggard, ComposerLyricist - BILLY SHERRILL, Producer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - RON "SNAKE" REYNOLDS, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Eddy Hudson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1981 Elvis Costello
Dan Hersch, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - CLIVE LANGER, Producer - Bob Kraushaar, Producer, Assistant Producer - Alan Winstanley, Producer - ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Jim Russell, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1984 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - ELVIS COSTELLO, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1980 Elvis Costello
Chris Ethridge, ComposerLyricist - Gram Parsons, ComposerLyricist - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - BILLY SHERRILL, Producer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - RON "SNAKE" REYNOLDS, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Eddy Hudson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1981 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1979 Elvis Costello
Declan MacManus, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Hammond Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, MainArtist - Bruce Thomas, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - David Miner, Producer, Associate Producer - William Jackson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Dominguez Alhert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - J. Henry Burnett, Producer - Larry Kalman Hirsch, Producer - L.H.C., Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1986 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Glenn Tilbrook, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Dan Hersch, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist - Neil King, Producer, Assistant Producer - Martin Belmont, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1981 Elvis Costello
Nick Lowe, Producer - Pete Thomas, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Nieve, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - ELVIS COSTELLO, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Bechirian, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bruce Thomas, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Elvis Costello & The Attractions, MainArtist
℗ 1979 Elvis Costello
About Playlist
It's been a quarter century since Elvis Costello recorded with his backing band the Attractions— bassist Bruce Thomas, drummer Pete Thomas and keyboardist Steve Nieve—but the albums they made together remain some of the most iconic in his catalog. As the singer-songwriter releases his latest solo effort, Hey Clockface, here's a look back at some of the best songs (and the stories behind them) from the Attractions era. © Shelly Ridenour/Qobuz
"Radio Radio" (1978)
Written in 1974, "Radio Soul" was one of the songs that helped Elvis Costello get a deal with A&M Records. He has said that that early version was a "shameless imitation" of The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle-era Bruce Springsteen. In 1977, he dusted it off as "Radio Radio," a cynical critique of commercial radio inspired by the BBC's proposed censorship of the Sex Pistols' "God Save the Queen." The Sex Pistols' connection goes even further, when that band couldn't get visas to play Saturday Night Live in the US—so Elvis Costello and the Attractions took their spot. While the TV show was live on air, the band began playing "Less Than Zero," as requested by their label, Columbia, but against Costello's wishes. A few bars in, he stopped the song and jolted into "Radio Radio."
"Pump It Up" (1978)
In his 2015 memoir, Costello said that this song—a sarcastic commentary on his time on 1977's debauched Live Stiffs tour, featuring the Attractions along with Ian Dury, Nick Lowe and others—borrowed liberally from Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues." But he also said that, many years later, Dylan pointed out that U2 had in turn borrowed from Costello. "U2's 'Get On Your Boots' was probably to 'Pump It Up' what 'Subterranean Homesick Blues' is to Chuck Berry's 'Too Much Monkey Business,'" Costello wrote.
"This Year's Girl" (1978)
More than 15 years before Liz Phair's Exile in Guyville was touted as a feminist answer to the Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street, Costello penned his own response to the Stones' "Stupid Girl." It's been largely misunderstood, though—with lyrics like "Still you're hoping that she's well spoken/ 'Cause she's this year's girl/ You want her broken with her mouth wide open/ 'Cause she's this year's girl" getting Costello called a misogynist. He claims he meant it as a show of sympathy toward women getting used by fashion and media, rather than the Stones' song, which Costello has said "seemed to take delight in being heartless and cruel."
"Lipstick Vogue" (1978)
Costello came up with the idea for this track on the London tube, and you can hear the jittery, careening influence. It's a true showcase for the Attractions' rhythm section: Bruce Thomas' alpha bass and Pete Thomas' wild snare-and-tom chaos channeling jazz and punk at the same time.
"Green Shirt" (1979)
Costello's lower, laidback vocals were the result of a hangover, and it certainly suits the paranoid lyrics ("Better send a begging letter to the big investigation/ Who put these fingerprints on my imagination?") as does Nieve's delightfully odd little organ mannerisms.
"Accidents Will Happen" (1979)
Proving the singer a master of metaphor, this song can be interpreted for a million different examples of romance gone wrong: "Accidents will happen/ We only hit and run." But the actual inspiration came from a new romance—with a Tucson taxi driver, no less— that quickly fizzled when Costello wanted to listen to Freddy Fender on the radio and the woman wanted to switch stations to Pink Floyd.
"Oliver's Army" (1979)
Maybe the slickest, catchiest anti-racist song ever recorded, "Oliver's Army" (as in Oliver Cromwell, the 17th-century English Parlamentiarian leader) prettily lashes out against the Troubles in Northern Ireland as well as imperial influences in Hong Kong and elsewhere—all against keyboards that Nieve has admitted are a nod to ABBA's "Dancing Queen." The band's most successful UK single.
"(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding" (1979)
Written by Nick Lowe (and originally recorded by his band Brinsley Schwarz)—who produced several Attractions albums including This Year's Model and Armed Forces—this track brilliantly illustrates the power of recording live with a full band and vocals.
"Senior Service" (1979)
One of the songs that earned Costello his "angry young man" reputation, "Senior Service" strikes out with resentment at elder citizens clogging up Britain's social security programs: "I want your neck/ I want the seat that you sit at/ I want your check/ Because they told me I would get on." The New Wave dance beat underscores a sense of brattiness. Costello has said this one was musically influenced by David Bowie's Berlin era.
"High Fidelity" (1980)
Borrowing Motown brightness—that four-beat drum tattoo, that shiny tambourine—this track even starts off with the line "Some things you never get used to," directly referencing a Supremes' song with that title. But the jauntiness is a deceptive mask for the sad lyrics, about a faithless couple: "Lovers laughing in their amateur hour/ Holding hands in the corridors of power/ Even though I'm with somebody else right now."
"I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down" (1980)
Putting a Northern soul/2 Tone dance-floor sheen on a Sam & Dave Stax ballad? Genius.
"Girls Talk" (1980)
Written by Costello and first recorded by Dave Edmunds—who had a top-five UK hit with it—this jangle finds the singer at his most paranoid about the opposite sex, wondering what they're saying about him and how much of a bruise it will leave.
"Clubland" (1981)
A highly jaded take on the late '70s nightclub scene, "Clubland" has been praised for some of Costello's most incisive lyrics: "There's a piece in someone's pocket to do the dirty work/ You've come to shoot the pony, they've come to do the jerk." Once you find out that the singer has copped to the musical vibe being borrowed from the Police's "Message in a Bottle," you'll never be able to un-hear it.
"Watch Your Step" (1981)
Another thick slice of Costello paranoia ("Watch who's knocking on your front door/ Now you know that they're watching"), this time with a dub effect.
"New Lace Sleeves" (1981)
There's a bit of dub flavor, too, on this gorgeous, often-overlooked number, carried by Pete Thomas' hiccuping drums and Costello adopting a lounge-lizard vibe.
"From a Whisper to a Scream" (1981)
While the song itself is not one of Costello's strongest, lyrically, it's worth it to hear his midnight croon and snarl bump up against the angelic lilt of Squeeze’s Glenn Tilbrook.
"Why Don't You Love Me (Like You Used To Do?)" (1981)
At a time when pop/rock and country music definitely did not mix it up, the band defiantly headed to Nashville to record an album of country covers. Here, they take a racing rockabilly approach to Hank Williams' loping cowboy heartache.
"I'm Your Toy" (1981)
Lest anyone think Costello's foray into country was anything but sincere, this swooning take on a now-classic Gram Parsons number (better known as "Hot Burrito #1") proves his aim is true, melt-worthy pedal steel and all.
"Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down" (1981)
Nieve's rolling piano work on this Merle Haggard drinking-away-my-blues song is an absolute livewire.
"A Good Year for the Roses" (1981)
Written by Jerry Chesnut and a massive hit for George Jones, this weepie can hold its own in the Costello lyric catalog: "I can hardly bear the sight of lipstick on the cigarettes there in the ashtray/ Lyin' cold the way you left 'em, but at least your lips caressed them." In fact, strip away the pedal steel and swelling Nashville Sound backing choir, and this could sit comfortably on a "regular" Attractions record.
"Almost Blue" (1982)
Inspired by Pacific Jazz-era Chet Baker—specifically, his cover of "The Thrill Is Gone"—this devastatingly beautiful ballad had a full-circle moment when the jazz trumpeter recorded it himself in 1987.
"Man Out of Time" (1982)
Lush, classic pop, this beloved cut evokes both the Beatles and the Brill Building and takes a literary, yet incredibly human look at a political sex scandal: "But for his private wife and kids somehow/ Real life becomes a rumour/ Days of dutch courage/ Just three French letters and a German sense of humour." And the psychedelic freak-out that bookends it is something else.
"Everyday I Write the Book" (1983)
Costello allegedly wrote this one in 10 minutes just to see if he could, and later referred to it as "bad Smokey Robinson." It's a fan favorite, enlivened by irresistible backing vocals from Claudia Fontaine and Caron Wheeler.
"Shipbuilding" (1983)
Gorgeous and clever, this ballad—prompted by the head-scratching Falklands war—unpacks an allegory about a town that gains an economic boost building war ships that then carry its sons off to their deaths. Featuring one of the last recorded performances by trumpeter Chet Baker.
"The Only Flame in Town" (1984)
Reportedly written by Costello for Aaron Neville, this slick R&B track is epitome '80s, from the wailing saxophone to the Daryl Hall assist on the chorus.
"Suit of Lights" (1986)
The only song on King of America recorded with the Attractions is Costello's almost medieval-sounding tribute to his father—or, rather, a lament on an audience's indifference to the big-band singer's performance: "He went out to work that night and wasted his breath/ Outside there was a public execution/ Inside he died a thousand deaths."
"I Hope You're Happy Now" (1986)
After a multi-album detour of various genre experiments, Costello returned to his rock 'n' roll roots for this 1986 track laden with a garage-rock organ and drum beat and the singer sneering "best" wishes to an ex who's moved on with someone else: "I hope that you're happy now like you're supposed to be/ And I know that this will hurt you more than it hurts me."
"I Want You" (1986)
Costello has written some dark stuff, but this noir torch song might be the pinnacle. Stripped to the barest basics, it opens with what seems like a longing, romantic intro before a twisted guitar squiggle bursts in; the whole thing turns into a meditation on tortured love and obsession as he sings "I want you" after each line, almost like breathing.
"The Other End of the Telescope" (1996)
Ever wonder what it would sound like if Costello covered an Aimee Mann song? While the two co-wrote this pretty waltz, the lyrical phrasing and gentle melody are unmistakably Mann. A nice pairing.
"Shallow Grave" (1996)
All This Useless Beauty, released in 1996 and the last album with Costello backed by the Attractions, includes a grab bag of songs the vocalist penned for other musicians—some of whom recorded them, while others didn't—as well as this skiffle-blues jaunt co-written with Paul McCartney.
Photo © Estate of Keith Morris/Redferns
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