''The Very Best of Elvis Costello'' is a

compilation album A compilation album comprises Album#Tracks, tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one or several Performing arts#Performers, performers. If by one artist, then generally the tr ...

on two

compact discs The compact disc (CD) is a digital optical disc data storage format that was co-developed by Philips and Sony to store and play digital audio recordings. In August 1982, the first compact disc was manufactured. It was then released in Octobe ...

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 ...

, sampling his recorded work from the years 1977 through 1998. First issued on

Polygram Records PolyGram N.V. was a multinational entertainment company and major music record label formerly based in the Netherlands. It was founded in 1962 as the Grammophon-Philips Group by Dutch corporation Philips and German corporation Siemens, to be a ...

on 21 September 1999, it was re-released less than two years later on

Rhino Records A rhinoceros (; ; ), commonly abbreviated to rhino, is a member of any of the five extant species (or numerous extinct species) of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. (It can also refer to a member of any of the extinct species o ...

as the first entry in their comprehensive Costello reissue series. A one-disc version was also released.

Track listing

All songs written by

unless otherwise indicated.

Disc one

#" (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" (

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,Oliver's Army "Oliver's Army" is a song written by Elvis Costello and performed by Costello and the Attractions, from the former's third studio album ''Armed Forces'' (1979). The song is a new wave track that was lyrically inspired by the Troubles in North ...

" (from ''

Armed Forces A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...

'', 1979) – 2:57 #" Watching the Detectives" (single, 1977) – 3:43 #" Alison" (from ''

My Aim Is True ''My Aim Is True'' is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello, originally released in the United Kingdom on 22July 1977 through Stiff Records. After years of little success performing in Britain, Costello was signed t ...

'', 1977) – 3:21 #"

(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea" is a song written by new wave musician Elvis Costello and recorded by Costello with his backing band the Attractions. The song appeared on Costello's 1978 second album, ''This Year's Model''. Written by Costel ...

" (from ''

This Year's Model ''This Year's Model'' is the second studio album by the English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello, released on 17March 1978 through Radar Records. After being backed by Clover for his debut album ''My Aim Is True'' (1977), Costello formed the ...

'', 1978) – 3:07 #"

Accidents Will Happen "Accidents Will Happen" is a song written by Elvis Costello and performed by Elvis Costello and the Attractions. It first appeared on the 1979 album ''Armed Forces''. Costello wrote the song about his many infidelities during this period of his ...

" (from ''

'', 1979) – 3:01 #" Pump It Up" (from ''

'', 1978) – 3:13 #" I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down" (

Homer Banks Homer Banks (August 2, 1941 – April 3, 2003) was an African American songwriter, singer and record producer. Although best known by many for his songwriting for Stax Records in the 1960s and 1970s, some of his own releases from the 1960s are co ...

, Alan Jones) (from '' Get Happy!!'', 1980) – 2:05 #"

Radio Radio "Radio Radio" is a song written by Elvis Costello and performed by Elvis Costello and the Attractions. The song originated as a Bruce Springsteen-inspired song called "Radio Soul" that Costello had written in 1974. In 1977, Costello reworked ...

" (single, 1978) – 3:06 #" Clubland" (from ''

Trust Trust often refers to: * Trust (social science), confidence in or dependence on a person or quality It may also refer to: Business and law * Trust law, a body of law under which one person holds property for the benefit of another * Trust (bus ...

'', 1981) – 3:43 #"

A Good Year for the Roses "A Good Year for the Roses" is a ballad written by Jerry Chesnut and originally recorded by American country singer George Jones. It rose to #2 on the country singles chart in 1970. Background "A Good Year for the Roses" describes the thoug ...

" (

Jerry Chesnut Jerry Donald Chesnut (May 7, 1931 – December 15, 2018) was an American country music songwriter. His hits include "Good Year for the Roses" (recorded by Alan Jackson, George Jones and Elvis Costello) and " T-R-O-U-B-L-E" (recorded by Elvis Pre ...

) (from ''

Almost Blue ''Almost Blue'' is the sixth studio album by English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello, and his fifth with the Attractions—keyboardist Steve Nieve, bassist Bruce Thomas and drummer Pete Thomas (drummer), Pete Thomas (no relation). It was reco ...

'', 1981) – 3:35 #"

Man Out of Time "Man Out of Time" is a song written by new wave musician Elvis Costello and performed by Elvis Costello and the Attractions on their 1982 album, ''Imperial Bedroom''. With lyrics detailing a political scandal, "Man Out of Time" features a lush ar ...

" (from ''

Imperial Bedroom ''Imperial Bedroom'' is the seventh studio album by English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello, and his sixth with the Attractions—keyboardist Steve Nieve, bassist Bruce Thomas and drummer Pete Thomas (no relation). It was released on 2July 198 ...

'', 1982) – 5:25 #"I Wanna Be Loved" ( Farnell Jenkins) (from '' Goodbye Cruel World'', 1984) – 4:46 #"

Everyday I Write the Book "Everyday I Write the Book" is a song written by Elvis Costello, from ''Punch the Clock'', an album released in 1983 by Elvis Costello and the Attractions. It peaked at 28 on the UK Singles Chart and was their first top 40 hit single in the US, p ...

" (from ''

Punch the Clock ''Punch the Clock'' is the eighth studio album by English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello, and his seventh with the Attractions—keyboardist Steve Nieve, bassist Bruce Thomas and drummer Pete Thomas (no relation). It was released on 5 A ...

'', 1983) – 3:52 #"

Brilliant Mistake "Brilliant Mistake" is a song written and performed by new wave musician Elvis Costello that was first released on his 1986 album '' King of America''. Written about Costello's experiences in America, the song features introspective lyrics and a ...

" (from '' King of America'', 1986) – 3:41 #"

The Other Side of Summer "The Other Side of Summer" is a single from Elvis Costello's 1991 album '' Mighty Like A Rose'', written by Costello. The song was co-produced by Costello, Mitchell Froom and Kevin Killen. A Beach Boys pastiche, the song featured a Wall of Sound ...

" (from '' Mighty Like a Rose'', 1991) – 3:53 #"Tokyo Storm Warning" (from '' Blood and Chocolate'', 1986) – 6:23 #"

Sulky Girl "Sulky Girl" is a song written and performed by new wave musician Elvis Costello that was first released on his 1994 album ''Brutal Youth''. The song was one of those on the album that featured Costello performing with his longtime backing band ...

" (from '' Brutal Youth)'', 1994) – 5:04 #"So Like Candy" (MacManus,

McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One ...

) (from ''Mighty Like a Rose'', 1991) – 4:35 #" Veronica" (MacManus, McCartney) (from ''

Spike Spike, spikes, or spiking may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Books * ''The Spike'' (novel), a novel by Arnaud de Borchgrave * ''The Spike'' (book), a nonfiction book by Damien Broderick * ''The Spike'', a starship in Peter F. Hamilto ...

'', 1989) – 3:07 #"

She She most commonly refers to: *She (pronoun), the third person singular, feminine, nominative case pronoun in modern English. She or S.H.E. may also refer to: Literature and films *'' She: A History of Adventure'', an 1887 novel by H. Rider Hagga ...

" (

Charles Aznavour Charles Aznavour ( , ; born Shahnour Vaghinag Aznavourian, hy, Շահնուր Վաղինակ Ազնավուրեան, ; 22 May 1924 – 1 October 2018) was a French-Armenian singer, lyricist, actor and diplomat. Aznavour was known for his dist ...

Herbert Kretzmer Herbert Kretzmer (5 October 192514 October 2020) was a South African-born English journalist and lyricist. He was best known as the lyricist for the English-language musical adaptation of ''Les Misérables'' and for his long-time collaboration ...

) (from ''Soundtrack to

Notting Hill Notting Hill is a district of West London, England, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Notting Hill is known for being a cosmopolitan and multicultural neighbourhood, hosting the annual Notting Hill Carnival and Portobello Road M ...

'', 1999) – 3:05

Disc two

# "Big Tears" (B-side of "Pump It Up" single, 1978) – 3:10 # " Beyond Belief" (from ''Imperial Bedroom'', 1982) – 2:33 # "

Lipstick Vogue "Lipstick Vogue" is a song by Elvis Costello. It was recorded by him with the Attractions as the penultimate track of his 1978 album ''This Year's Model''. In his album notes for '' Girls Girls Girls'' Costello recalled that the song was inspired ...

" (from ''This Year's Model'', 1978) – 3:31 # "

Green Shirt "Green Shirt" is a song written by new wave musician Elvis Costello and recorded by Costello with his backing band the Attractions. The song appeared on Costello's 1979 third album, ''Armed Forces''. Lyrically inspired by the influence of the Na ...

" (from ''Armed Forces'', 1979) – 2:44 # "Pills and Soap" (from ''Punch the Clock'', 1983) – 3:43 # "Tramp the Dirt Down" (from ''Spike)'', 1989) – 5:41 # "

Shipbuilding Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and other floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to befor ...

" (MacManus,

Clive Langer Clive Langer (born 19 June 1954 in Hampstead, London, England) is an English record producer and songwriter, active from the mid-1970s onwards. He usually works with Alan Winstanley. He composed the music for the films ''Still Crazy'' and ''Br ...

) (from ''Punch the Clock'', 1983) – 4:51 # " High Fidelity" (from ''Get Happy!!'', 1980) – 2:28 # "

New Lace Sleeves "New Lace Sleeves" is a song written by new wave musician Elvis Costello and performed by Costello and the Attractions for his 1981 album ''Trust''. The first version of the song was written by Costello in 1974 and featured post-war themed lyrics ...

" (from ''Trust'', 1981) – 3:47 # "

(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" is a song written and recorded by Elvis Costello for his 1977 debut album ''My Aim Is True''. Written by Costello on a train ride to Liverpool in 1976, the song features lyrics, according to Costello, about " ...

" (from ''My Aim Is True'', 1977) – 2:46 # "Talking in the Dark" (single, 1979) – 1:57 # "

New Amsterdam New Amsterdam ( nl, Nieuw Amsterdam, or ) was a 17th-century Dutch settlement established at the southern tip of Manhattan Island that served as the seat of the colonial government in New Netherland. The initial trading ''factory'' gave rise ...

" (from ''Get Happy!!'', 1980) – 2:13 # " I Hope You're Happy Now" (from ''Blood and Chocolate'', 1986) – 3:07 # "

Riot Act The Riot Act (1 Geo.1 St.2 c.5), sometimes called the Riot Act 1714 or the Riot Act 1715, was an act of the Parliament of Great Britain which authorised local authorities to declare any group of 12 or more people to be unlawfully assembled and o ...

" (from ''Get Happy!!'', 1980) – 3:34 # "

My Funny Valentine "My Funny Valentine" is a show tune from the 1937 Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart coming of age musical ''Babes in Arms'' in which it was introduced by teenaged star Mitzi Green. The song became a popular jazz standard, appearing on over 130 ...

" (

Lorenz Hart Lorenz Milton Hart (May 2, 1895 – November 22, 1943) was an American lyricist and half of the Broadway songwriting team Rodgers and Hart. Some of his more famous lyrics include " Blue Moon", " The Lady Is a Tramp", "Manhattan", "Bewitched, Both ...

Richard Rodgers Richard Charles Rodgers (June 28, 1902 – December 30, 1979) was an American Musical composition, composer who worked primarily in musical theater. With 43 Broadway musicals and over 900 songs to his credit, Rodgers was one of the most ...

) (B-side from "Oliver's Army" single, 1979) – 1:29 # " Indoor Fireworks" (from ''King of America'', 1986) – 4:09 # "

" (from ''Imperial Bedroom'', 1982) – 2:49 # " I Want You" (from ''Blood and Chocolate'', 1986) – 6:43 # "God Give Me Strength" (

Burt Bacharach Burt Freeman Bacharach ( ; born May 12, 1928) is an American composer, songwriter, record producer and pianist who composed hundreds of pop songs from the late 1950s through the 1980s, many in collaboration with lyricist Hal David. A six-time Gra ...

, MacManus) (from ''

Painted from Memory ''Painted from Memory'' is a collaboration between Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach. It was released 29 September 1998 on Mercury Records, a division of Universal Music Group. The collaboration commenced with "God Give Me Strength", a commis ...

'', 1998) – 6:10 # "That Day Is Done" (MacManus, McCartney) ('' I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray'', 1997) – 5:10 # "I Want to Vanish" (from ''

All This Useless Beauty ''All This Useless Beauty'' is the seventeenth studio album by the English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello, released in 1996 by Warner Brothers. It peaked at number 28 on the UK album chart, and at No. 53 on the ''Billboard'' 200. It is his ...

'', 1996) – 3:14

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Very Best Of Elvis Costello, The 2001 greatest hits albums Albums produced by Burt Bacharach Albums produced by Elvis Costello Albums produced by Nick Lowe Albums produced by T Bone Burnett Elvis Costello compilation albums