"Indoor Fireworks" is a song written and performed by new wave musician

Elvis Costello Declan Patrick MacManus Order of the British Empire, OBE (born 25 August 1954), known professionally as Elvis Costello, is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. He has won multiple awards in his career, including a Grammy Award in ...

that was first released on his 1986 album ''

King of America ''King of America'' is the tenth studio album by British rock singer and songwriter Elvis Costello, credited to "The Costello Show featuring the Attractions and Confederates" in the UK and Europe and to "The Costello Show featuring Elvis Costel ...

''. Written as a eulogy for a broken relationship, the song utilizes a central metaphor of

fireworks Fireworks are a class of Explosive, low explosive Pyrotechnics, pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. They are most commonly used in fireworks displays (also called a fireworks show or pyrotechnics), combining a l ...

and took inspiration from Costello's failed marriage. On the song, Costello is supplemented by the studio professionals of the Confederates, as on most of ''King of America''. The song has seen positive reception from critics and has appeared on compilation albums.

Nick Lowe Nicholas Drain Lowe (born 24 March 1949) is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer. A noted figure in power pop and new wave,The Rose of England The Rose of England is Child ballad 166 and Roud Folk Song Index 4001. It is an account of Henry VII of England claiming the throne from Richard III of England, frequently allegorically. It may be the oldest ballad on the Battle of Bosworth, an ...

'', has attracted similar acclaim.

Background

With its introspective lyrics and somber tone, "Indoor Fireworks" was written by

as a "lament to the end of love". Both

Nick Lowe Nicholas Drain Lowe (born 24 March 1949) is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer. A noted figure in power pop and new wave, Thomson described the song as "a fittingly tender goodbye." ''

Pitchfork A pitchfork (also a hay fork) is an agricultural tool with a long handle and two to five tines used to lift and pitch or throw loose material, such as hay, straw, manure, or leaves. The term is also applied colloquially, but inaccurately, to th ...

'' noted its lyrics use of

as an "extended metaphor". Costello attempted the song several times throughout the album sessions with several different arrangements, with performances often being undermined by his consumption of too much whiskey. Costello also attempted a full-band version with members of the Confederates, the studio band that he had just completed recording "Glitter Gulch" with, but determined that the song was "really for another day." The version of "Indoor Fireworks" that was released on ''King of America'' was recorded the day after the sessions that produced "Poisoned Rose" and "Eisenhower Blues". Having drank and celebrated the successful sessions the night before, Costello attended the sessions in "pretty poor shape". Costello then recorded the song in one take with

James Burton James Edward Burton (born August 21, 1939, in Dubberly, Louisiana) is an American guitarist. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2001 (his induction speech was given by longtime fan Keith Richards), Burton has also been recognized ...

on acoustic guitar,

Jerry Scheff Jerry Obern Scheff (born January 31, 1941) is an American bassist, best known for his work with Elvis Presley from 1969 to 1977 as a member of his TCB Band and on the Doors' '' L.A. Woman''. Biography Scheff grew up in Vallejo, California. After ...

on string bass, and

Mitchell Froom Mitchell Froom (born June 29, 1953) is an American musician and record producer. He was a member of the bands Gamma (band), Gamma and Latin Playboys, and is currently the keyboardist for Crowded House. He has produced albums for several artists, ...

on organ. Though the band attempted more takes, the first take would be the one selected for release: as Costello commented, "It was probably best that we cut it quickly as this kind of romantic obituary is not something you would want to labour over."

Release

Costello's recording of "Indoor Fireworks" was first released in February 1986 as the sixth track on Costello's 1986 album ''

''. The song was not released as a single, though Costello has integrated the song into his live setlist several times, including duets with Nick Lowe and

Emmylou Harris Emmylou Harris (born April 2, 1947) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. She has released dozens of albums and singles over the course of her career and has won 14 Grammys, the Polar Music Prize, and numerous other honors, including ...

. In addition to appearing on ''King of America'', the song has appeared on compilations such as 1989's '' Girls Girls Girls'', 1994's '' The Very Best of Elvis Costello and The Attractions 1977–86'', 1999's ''

The Very Best of Elvis Costello ''The Very Best of Elvis Costello'' is a compilation album on two compact discs by Elvis Costello, sampling his recorded work from the years 1977 through 1998. First issued on Polygram Records on 21 September 1999, it was re-released less tha ...

'', and 2007's '' The Best of Elvis Costello: The First 10 Years''.

Critical reception

"Indoor Fireworks" has seen critical acclaim since its release, with many writers at the time noting the complementary nature of the song's simple metaphor and spare acoustic performance.

Geoffrey Himes Geoffrey Himes is an American music critic who has written weekly for ''the Washington Post'' since 1977. He also wrote for '' No Depression'' as a contributing editor in its first print era in the late 1990s to the early 2000s and has written for ...

of ''

The Washington Post ''The Washington Post'' (also known as the ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'') is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It is the most widely circulated newspaper within the Washington metropolitan area and has a large nati ...

'' singled the song out as "the very best song" on the album, comparing it to

Smokey Robinson William "Smokey" Robinson Jr. (born February 19, 1940) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive director. He was the founder and front man of the Motown vocal group the Miracles, for which he was also chief ...

and noting, "Over an admirably restrained ballad arrangement, MacManus delivers one of his best vocals ever." ''

Musician A musician is a person who composes, conducts, or performs music. According to the United States Employment Service, "musician" is a general term used to designate one who follows music as a profession. Musicians include songwriters who wri ...

'' commented, "He's still the master of drawn-out, playfully double-entendre metaphor; on 'Indoor Fireworks,' however, Costello's feeling vocal also conveys a touching sentiment behind the verbal pyrotechnics." ''

The Los Angeles Times ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

'' noted that the song "gets more mileage out of one incendiary metaphor than might be thought possible", while ''

The Star-Ledger ''The Star-Ledger'' is the largest circulated newspaper in the U.S. state of New Jersey and is based in Newark. It is a sister paper to ''The Jersey Journal'' of Jersey City, ''The Times'' of Trenton and the '' Staten Island Advance'', all of wh ...

'' called the song "a compellingly logical extended metaphor about the dishonesty of lover's quarrels." The ''

Milwaukee Journal The ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel'' is a daily morning broadsheet printed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where it is the primary newspaper. It is also the largest newspaper in the state of Wisconsin, where it is widely distributed. It is currently o ...

'' concluded, "The straightforward stories of 'Indoor Fireworks' and 'I'll Wear It Proudly' are some of most exquisite of his career, and like many of the LP's tracks, Costello's vocals carry these tunes with only the help of acoustic instruments." Retrospective writers were similarly effusive in their praise for the track. ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first kno ...

'' spoke glowingly of the track, concluding, "Nothing else in Costello's career has the soul power of these twisted adult love ballads, especially 'I'll Wear It Proudly,' 'Indoor Fireworks' and ' Jack of All Parades. ''Pitchfork'' noted how Costello's "straight-faced delivery" rendered the recording "all the more devastating". ''

The Telegraph ''The Telegraph'', ''Daily Telegraph'', ''Sunday Telegraph'' and other variant names are popular names for newspapers. Newspapers with these titles include: Australia * ''The Telegraph'' (Adelaide), a newspaper in Adelaide, South Australia, publ ...

'' ranked it Costello's seventh best song, calling it "a simple, bleak and powerful song about love gone bad".

Nick Lowe version

"Indoor Fireworks" was covered by Costello's longtime friend and former producer,

'', months before Costello released his own version in February 1986. Lowe was initially skeptical when Costello suggested the song: "Although Elvis is a great songwriter, his songs usually have tons of chords and vocal twists and very personal lyrics, none of which really fit my style. But he played me the song, 'Indoor Fireworks,' and it was pretty straightforward." Costello described Lowe's version as "more discreet than my own, with a very elegant vocal set against an unsettling arrangement." Lowe's marriage to

Carlene Carter Carlene Carter (born Rebecca Carlene Smith; September 26, 1955) is an American country music singer and songwriter. She is the daughter of June Carter Cash and her first husband, Carl Smith. As of 2020, since 1978, Carter has recorded 12 album ...

was ending during this period, leading Costello to comment, "By the time each version was issued I think we both knew, only too well, what the song was really about." Carter concurred, "I know that in some ways the song was as true for Nick as it was for me." Lowe, however, joked, "My own marriage had also just ended, but there had been no fireworks; it was all quite amicable and boring." In addition to appearing on ''The Rose of England'', Lowe's version was released on the album '' Bespoke Songs, Lost Dogs, Detours & Rendezvous'', a collection of Costello-written songs recorded by other artists. Lowe has also performed the song live, including as a duet with Costello. Lowe's version has similarly attracted critical acclaim. ''

American Songwriter ''American Songwriter'' is a bimonthly magazine covering songwriting. Established in 1984, it features interviews, songwriting tips, news, reviews and lyric contest. The magazine is based in Nashville, Tennessee. History The ''American Songwri ...

'' described Lowe's cover as the "definitive" version of the song, while

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

commented in a review of ''The Rose of England'', "His stark take on Elvis Costello's lovely 'Indoor Fireworks' ... gives the album an anchor."

References

Citations Sources * {{authority control Elvis Costello songs 1985 songs Songs written by Elvis Costello Song recordings produced by T Bone Burnett Nick Lowe songs Song recordings produced by Nick Lowe