# Help me get started with Elvis Costello **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [June 6, 2024, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572 "2024-06-06T23:31:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572/1 "2024-06-06T23:31:35Z")
I know of Elvis Costello but never have owned any of his albums. I’ve been listening to one of those throwback alternative radio stations and Costello’s music comes up often on the playlist. I am quite familiar with the excellent Paul McCartney album Flowers in the Dirt which features Costello. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572/2 "2024-06-06T23:47:27Z")
I like old school Elvis C. My favorites are _Armed Forces,_ _My Aim is True,_ and _This Year’s Model_ probably in that order. Maybe, the last two are tied. But this is my own idiosyncratic taste, and you won’t go wrong with any of the three. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572/3 "2024-06-07T00:10:49Z")
Tell us about the rest of your musical tastes? ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572/4 "2024-06-07T00:15:41Z")
Start with these, for sure. Elvis has always been, still is, a talented, clever composer. But this was the era when he was dangerous, when he had something to say that we all wanted to hear. He later became a kind of elder statesman, still talented and respected, but he no longer “mattered,” not like the early days. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572/5 "2024-06-07T00:57:07Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > I like old school Elvis C. My favorites are _Armed Forces,_ _My Aim is True,_ and _This Year’s Model_ probably in that order. All three of these are very good albums from the beginning of his career, and may be as good a place to start as any. My own introduction to Elvis Costello was his album _Punch the Clock_, which I still really like. A couple more that may not be the best starting point but should not be missed: _Imperial Bedroom_ is a candidate for his best album, though it may not be as immediately accessible as some of the others. _Spike_ is stylistically diverse and eclectic, and it includes more of his collaborations with McCartney, including one of his biggest hits, “Veronica.” ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572/6 "2024-06-07T01:30:51Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > I like old school Elvis C. My favorites are _Armed Forces,_ _My Aim is True,_ and _This Year’s Model_ probably in that order. I was just about to write this exact post. I’m surprised to see this much agreement on a musician here. As a backup plan, you could go for a “Best Of” that includes his later gems, like the McCartney collabs and of course “Every Day I Write The Book” (NOT Elvis’s favorite, but it’s fun). And my favorite, “Toledo” from the album he did with Burt Bacharach. I went into a deep Costello dive on YouTube and found a lot of cuts from the live concert he did with Burt. And some live stuff\* with Steve Nieve, his longtime keyboardist with the Attractions. And, oddly enough, a Spanish album where he rearranged his songs and recruited Spanish musicians. I bought it, but have barely scratched the surface. \*There’s a live version of _Watching The Detectives_ that’s addictive, and I listen to it often… it’s one of those songs that’ll get me out of any depression. As will _The Angels Want To Wear My Red Shoes._ ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572/7 "2024-06-07T09:06:43Z")
theres a album from 20 years ago that had all his important stuff from his first record contract with Columbia on it > **[Elvis Costello, The Attractions - The Very Best Of Elvis Costello And The...](https://www.amazon.com/Very-Best-Elvis-Costello-Attractions/dp/B0000009VO)** > > Product description 22 track compilation from 1994 issued by Rykodisc. Amazon.com In 1977, Elvis burst out of the gate with a series of poison pen letters set to music. It was wordy, angry, and as catchy as a cold. And... Now if you want Modern EC play his last single on YouTube called “No Flags” But most of his 2k and later stuff tends to be collabs and weird noodlings … ---
**Author:** ![Chad\_Sudan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chad_sudan/32/4509_2.png) [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572/8 "2024-06-07T09:50:39Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > I like old school Elvis C. Yes! I’d say everything up to and including _Imperial Bedroom_ (1982). Then he released a couple of clunky albums but came back strong with _King of America_ and _Blood & Chocolate_ (both 1986). However, since then, nothing from Elvis has made an impression on me. (Of course, the only songs that ever got any play were “Every Day I Write the Book” and “Veronica.” But that’s because radio is in the hands of such a lot of… well, you know.) ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572/9 "2024-06-07T11:40:36Z")
Add me to the Old Costello list. The first three albums should really be listened to in the order of release. One reason for this is the delightful switch from the studio musicians (including the great John McFee on some great guitar) of the first album to the core Attractions on the second and third albums, which feature a lot more keyboards (by “Steve Naive”). “Get Happy” (1980) is also very worthwhile for a huge collection of songs that didn’t make the first three albums, but are frequently just as good as those that did. One major decision you will have to make is whether to listen to the original UK albums or the butchered US releases. There are substantial differences. I would suggest sticking with the US versions at first, then expand later to include at least a listen to the UK albums. I do not recommend any of the collections or anthologies as being a place to start. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572/10 "2024-06-07T11:48:23Z")
I really only like early EC, too. He’s not a good singer in my opinion, and in those early albums, he really snarled rather than sang and it worked well. By the fifth or sixth album, he started trying to sing (for example, the song Almost Blue) and it doesn’t work for me. Snarly, sarcastic EC is the best! My order would be This Year’s Model, Armed Forces, My Aim is True, Get Happy, then a big drop to Trust, Imperial Bedroom, and Punch the Clock. Then, I lost interest. He did a country album in the middle there (Almost Blue, the album, not the song), that I never listened to. His bass player from the second album until way later may be my favorite bass player. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572/11 "2024-06-07T13:28:21Z")
It helps to understand Costello’s background and style if you watch a video of his [father](https://youtu.be/JzFBn32gbWU) performing. FWIW, my favorite two EC songs are _What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding_ and _Oliver’s Army._ Once he started doing Burt Bacharach crap I was done. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572/12 "2024-06-07T13:57:16Z")
Worth watching as a supplement of sorts is his interview/performance series [Spectacle: Elvis Costello with…](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectacle:_Elvis_Costello_with.). Many of the episodes are available on youtube. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572/13 "2024-06-07T18:28:57Z")
> [@digs](#): > > There’s a live version of _Watching The Detectives_ that’s addictive I got the shivers the first time I heard that song. I still do. > [@ftg](#): > > FWIW, my favorite two EC songs are _What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding_ and _Oliver’s Army._ I think _Oliver’s Army_ is my favorite, but I really love _Green Shirt_, too. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572/14 "2024-06-07T19:17:40Z")
**How to get started with Elvis Costello** Walk up to him and knock his hat off his head with a back-hand motion while claiming his wife is a No-Talent Tinkler. Sorry. First thing that popped into my head when I saw the thread title. 😆 ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572/15 "2024-06-07T19:31:38Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > _Imperial Bedroom_ is a candidate for his best album, though it may not be as immediately accessible as some of the others. Agreed. A brilliant, multi-layered collaboration with producer Geoff Emerick. And I usually can’t stand heavily orchestrated rock. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572/16 "2024-06-07T20:18:28Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > He’s not a good singer in my opinion… Like any singer, he has his range. My all time favorite Costello album is [ALMOST BLUE.](https://shop.elviscostello.com/products/almost-blue-cd) His voice is perfect for these old standards. [Good Year For The Roses](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrKSC8cwpMA) [Colour of the Blues](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI7hTWzQcaA) ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572/17 "2024-06-07T20:39:11Z")
Yeah, Good Year is OK. It’s when he gets right up to the mic and tries vibrato, when he thinks he’s a crooner. He’s just not that. It’s hard to recommend EC to someone, because he’s like two different artists, with a transition around Punch the Clock. His early, angry-young-man stuff is so different from his later ballads and soft rock. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572/18 "2024-06-07T20:42:32Z")
I haven’t see the video of his revival of the 1986 Spectacular Spinning Songbook tour, but I imagine it would be a good sampler. The original tour was extremely fun. At one of the shows I attended “Alison” came up on the wheel 3 times, which bugged EC a little bit but he stuck with the concept. He played it with a humorous twist the last time, much to the delight of the crowd. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572/19 "2024-06-07T21:32:18Z")
I think Blood and Chocolate is a fantastic album. Perhaps my favorite of his. It still shows a lot of the raw-edged punk sound. After that, I would rate This Year’s Model, Imperial Bedroom, and Get Happy. Haven’t paid much attention to him since he decided he was a “chanteur,” with the annoying vibrato, as noted above. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2024, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572/20 "2024-06-07T21:50:22Z")
Yeah, I love Costello and Dylan, but when they try to _croooon,_ I go back to their classics. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-started-with-elvis-costello/1002572.md?page=2)