''The Very Best of Elvis Costello and The Attractions 1977–86'' is a 1994

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 ...

Elvis Costello and The Attractions Declan Patrick MacManus 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 2020, and has twice been nom ...

Track listing

All songs written by

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 ...

except as noted. # " 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 # " Watching the Detectives" (from single, 1978) – 3:45 # "

(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 # " Pump It Up" (from ''This Year's Model'', 1978) – 3:14 # "

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 ...

" (from single, 1978) – 3:05 # "

(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" is a 1974 song written by English singer/songwriter Nick Lowe. Initially released by Lowe with his band Brinsley Schwarz on their 1974 album '' The New Favourites of... Brinsley Schwarz' ...

" (

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 Northe ...

" (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) – 2:58 # "

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 ''Armed Forces'', 1979) – 3:00 # "

I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down "I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down" is a song written by Homer Banks and Allen Jones (record producer), Allen Jones. Originally recorded by soul duo Sam & Dave in 1967, the song was famously covered by New wave music, new wave musician Elvis Cos ...

" (

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 ...

Allen Jones Allen Jones may refer to: *Allen Jones (Continental Congress) (1739–1798), Continental Congress delegate *Allen Jones (artist) (born 1937), British pop artist *Allen Jones (record producer) (1940–1987), American record producer *A.J. Styles (Al ...

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

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) – 2:11 # " High Fidelity" (from ''Get Happy!!'', 1980) – 2:26 # " 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) – 3:42 # " Watch Your Step" (from ''Trust'', 1981) – 2:57 # "

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) – 3:07 # " Beyond Belief" (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) – 2:33 # "

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'', 1982) – 5:26 # "

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) – 3:53 # "

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 ...

" (Costello and

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 # "Love Field" (from '' Goodbye Cruel World'', 1984) – 3:26 # "

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 ''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 ...

'', 1986) – 3:42 # "

Indoor Fireworks "Indoor Fireworks" is a song written and performed by new wave musician Elvis Costello that was first released on his 1986 album ''King of America''. Written as a eulogy for a broken relationship, the song utilizes a central metaphor of firework ...

" (from ''King of America'', 1986) – 4:07 # " I Want You" (from '' Blood and Chocolate'', 1986) – 6:40

References

1994 greatest hits albums Albums produced by Elvis Costello Albums produced by Nick Lowe Albums produced by T Bone Burnett Elvis Costello compilation albums Rykodisc compilation albums Albums produced by Geoff Emerick {{1990s-pop-rock-album-stub