The Best of Elvis Costello and The Attractions

The Best of Elvis Costello and The Attractions
Greatest hits album by Elvis Costello and The Attractions
Released 1985
Recorded 1977-1984
Genre Punk/New Wave, Pop
Length 53:07 (LP and cassette)
64:25 (CD)
Label Columbia
Producer Nick Lowe, Geoff Emerick, Roger Bechirian, Clive Langer, Alan Winstanley
Elvis Costello and The Attractions chronology
Goodbye Cruel World
(1984)		 The Best of Elvis Costello and The Attractions
(1985)		 King of America
(1986)
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 4/5 stars link

The Best of Elvis Costello and The Attractions is a 1985 compilation album, the first of what would be many compilation albums for Costello.

Track listing

All songs written by Elvis Costello except as indicated.

LP and Cassette

Side one

  1. "Alison" (from My Aim Is True, 1977) – 3:22
  2. "Watching the Detectives" (from single, 1978) – 3:41
  3. "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?" (Nick Lowe) (from single, 1979) – 3:31
  4. "Oliver's Army" (from Armed Forces, 1979) – 2:58
  5. "Pump It Up" (from This Year's Model, 1978) – 3:17
  6. "Accidents Will Happen" (from Armed Forces, 1979) – 3:00
  7. "Radio, Radio" (from single, 1978) – 3:06
  8. "I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down" (Homer Banks, Allen Jones) (from Get Happy!!, 1980) – 2:06


Side two

  1. "Almost Blue" (from Imperial Bedroom, 1982) – 2:47
  2. "Beyond Belief" (from Imperial Bedroom, 1982) – 2:32
  3. "Clubland" (from Trust, 1981) – 3:41
  4. "Watch Your Step" from Trust, 1981) – 2:58
  5. "Shipbuilding" (from Punch the Clock, 1983) – 4:49
  6. "I Wanna Be Loved" (Farnell Jenkins) (from Goodbye Cruel World, 1984) – 3:50
  7. "Everyday I Write the Book" (from Punch the Clock, 1983) – 3:47
  8. "The Only Flame in Town" (from Goodbye Cruel World, 1984) – 3:32

Compact Disc

  1. "Alison" – 3:22
  2. "Watching the Detectives" – 3:41
  3. "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?" (Lowe) – 3:31
  4. "Oliver's Army" – 2:58
  5. "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" (from My Aim Is True, 1977) – 2:45
  6. "Pump It Up" – 3:17
  7. "Accidents Will Happen" – 3:00
  8. "Radio, Radio" – 3:06
  9. "I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down" – 2:06
  10. "A Good Year for the Roses" (Jerry Chesnut) (from Almost Blue, 1981) – 3:07
  11. "Almost Blue" – 2:47
  12. "Beyond Belief" – 2:32
  13. "Clubland" – 3:41
  14. "Watch Your Step" – 2:58
  15. "Man Out of Time" (from Imperial Bedroom, 1982) – 5:28
  16. "Shipbuilding" – 4:49
  17. "I Wanna Be Loved" – 3:50
  18. "Everyday I Write the Book" – 3:47
  19. "The Only Flame in Town" – 3:32

Personnel

  1. Elvis Costello – vocals, guitar
  2. Steve Nieve – keyboards
  3. Bruce Thomas – bass
  4. Pete Thomas – drums, percussion

Additional personnel

  1. Caron Wheeler – vocals
  2. Claudia Fontaine – vocals
  3. Clover – various instruments
  4. Chet Baker – trumpet
  5. Andrew Bodnar – bass
  6. Steve Goulding – drums
  7. Darryl Hall – vocals
  8. Green Gartside – vocals

Charts

Album

Year Chart Position
1985 The Billboard 200 122
1986 The Billboard 200 116

Certifications

Organization Level Date
RIAA – USA Gold November 10, 1989
Elvis Costello
Studio albums
Live albums
Collaborations
Singles
Classical works
Scores
Collaborations
Compilations
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