The Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions

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The Best of Elvis Costello and The Attractions
Elvis costello best 1985.jpg
Greatest hits album by
Elvis Costello and The Attractions
Released1985
Recorded1977–1984
GenreNew wave, punk rock, power pop
Length53:07 (LP and cassette)
64:25 (CD)
LabelColumbia
ProducerNick 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
SourceRating
AllMusic4/5 stars[1]
Robert ChristgauA-[2]
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide3/5 stars[3]

The Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions is a 1985 compilation album, the first of what would be many career-spanning compilation albums of previously released material for Costello.[4]

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" () (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" – 3:19
  2. "Watching the Detectives" – 3:41
  3. "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?" (Lowe) – 3:31
  4. "Oliver's Army" – 2:57
  5. "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" (from My Aim Is True, 1977) – 2:45
  6. "Pump It Up" – 3:16
  7. "Accidents Will Happen" – 3:01
  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" – 2:46
  12. "Beyond Belief" – 2:32
  13. "Man Out of Time" (from Imperial Bedroom, 1982) – 5:27
  14. "Clubland" – 3:42
  15. "Watch Your Step" – 2:57
  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. Daryl Hall – vocals
  8. Green Gartside – vocals

Charts[]

Chart (1985–86) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[5] 116

Certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[6] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References[]

  1. ^ https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-best-of-elvis-costello-the-attractions-mw0000650021
  2. ^ "Robert Christgau: CG: elvis costello and the attractions". www.robertchristgau.com.
  3. ^ Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian David (18 June 2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9780743201698 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ "Elvis Costello".
  5. ^ "Elvis Costello Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  6. ^ "American album certifications – Elvis Costello – Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions". Recording Industry Association of America.
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