My Aim Is True
Encyclopedia
My Aim Is True is the debut album by Elvis Costello
.
The album was recorded at Pathway Studios
in Holloway
, London Borough of Islington
, over the course of 1976 during late-night studio sessions, in a total of twenty-four hours. It was the first of five straight Costello albums produced by Nick Lowe
.
The musicians who were featured on the album were uncredited on the original release (due to contractual difficulties), although the backing band was made up of members of the band Clover
.
In 2003, the TV network
VH1
named My Aim Is True the 80th greatest album of all time. In 2003, the album was ranked number 168 on Rolling Stone
magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time
. In 2004, it was ranked 37 of the top 100 albums of the 1970s by Pitchfork which reported the album to be "held by many as the most impressive debut in pop music history."
On November 8, 2007, Costello reunited with the members of Clover from the original recording sessions to perform the songs from My Aim Is True for the first time ever in public at the Great American Music Hall
in San Francisco. The event was a benefit for the Richard de Lone Special Housing Fund, which assists those with Prader-Willi Syndrome
.
and London
since 1970 and had created some demo
tapes, but he had had little success in obtaining a recording contract. When Stiff Records
was founded in 1976, Costello submitted his demos there and found some interest, but initially they wanted him as a songwriter for Dave Edmunds
. Edmunds, however, was reluctant, so the company had Costello and Clover re-record some of his songs, with Lowe producing, to try and persuade him. The new recordings were good enough on their own for Stiff Records to abandon that idea.
The label then suggested that he share a debut album with Wreckless Eric
, but Costello had written enough songs, most of them at home late at night so as not to wake his wife and young son or on the Underground
while commuting to work, to have an entire album of his own. Costello called in sick to his day job (as a data-entry clerk) in order to rehearse and record the album with Clover, which was cut in a series of six four-hour sessions for about £1,000.
Costello stayed at his day job as the first two singles, "Less Than Zero" and "Alison", were pre-released without much success. Finally, the label decided to release the album in the summer of 1977, and he was asked to quit his job and become a professional musician. Stiff Records would match his office wages and gave him a record advance of £150, an amp
, and a tape recorder
. Three weeks after its release, Costello was on the cover of a music paper. He described this situation as being "an overnight success after seven years."
, who was uncredited on the album sleeve. The cover art features rows of tiny black and white checks (surrounding the photo of Costello) on which the phrase "Elvis Is King" is written. Costello's pose on the cover would become an iconic look for him, with the Buddy Holly
glasses and the knees bent inwards together. He struck a similar pose in the photo on the back of the original sleeve.
Initially, the LP cover had a black & white photo on the front, and a yellow back. The first 1000 UK copies also came with a form asking the buyer to send in the address of a friend, who would then receive a free copy. The form was titled: HELP US HYPE ELVIS. The free copies that were sent out in response to returned forms were customised with a large special sticker. The form and the sticker were also designed by Barney Bubbles
. First pressings came with writings on the dead wax with on the A side "Elvis is King" and "Porky Prime Cut
" and on the B side "on this side too" and "porky prime cut too". Early issues were also printed with many different coloured backs. Later issues then had a green tint on the front picture and a green back. The Demon re-issue originally had a yellow tint on the photo and a yellow back, and the reissue has a green tint photo.
unless otherwise indicated.
Side one
Side two
Bonus tracks (1993 Rykodisc)
Bonus Disc (2001 Rhino)
Track Listing (2007 Deluxe Edition Hip-O)
Disc 1:
Disc 2:
Elvis Costello & the Attractions: Live at The Nashville Rooms - August 7, 1977
Note: The Rykodisc version has the original tracks and bonus tracks on one CD. The Rhino version has two CDs with the original tracks on the first CD. The Hip-O version has the original tracks and bonus tracks on the first CD and a recording of a 1977 concert on the second.
}
}
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
.
The album was recorded at Pathway Studios
Pathway Studios
Pathway Studios was a North London studio in Islington run by producer Mike Finesilver for many years. Among the well-known artists who made their early recordings at Pathway Studios are Madness, Elvis Costello, The Police, Squeeze, Haircut One Hundred and John Foxx...
in Holloway
Holloway, London
Holloway is an inner-city district in the London Borough of Islington located north of Charing Cross and follows for the most part, the line of the Holloway Road . At the centre of Holloway is the Nag's Head area...
, London Borough of Islington
London Borough of Islington
The London Borough of Islington is a London borough in Inner London. It was formed in 1965 by merging the former metropolitan boroughs of Islington and Finsbury. The borough contains two Westminster parliamentary constituencies, Islington North and Islington South & Finsbury...
, over the course of 1976 during late-night studio sessions, in a total of twenty-four hours. It was the first of five straight Costello albums produced by Nick Lowe
Nick Lowe
Nicholas Drain "Nick" Lowe , is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer.A pivotal figure in UK pub rock, punk rock and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with vocals, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica...
.
The musicians who were featured on the album were uncredited on the original release (due to contractual difficulties), although the backing band was made up of members of the band Clover
Clover (band)
Clover was an American country rock band formed in Mill Valley, California in 1967. They are best known as the backup band for Elvis Costello's 1977 debut album My Aim Is True , and for members later forming or joining more successful acts, including Huey Lewis and the News, The Doobie Brothers,...
.
In 2003, the TV network
Television network
A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay TV providers. Until the mid-1980s, television programming in most countries of the world was dominated by a small...
VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
named My Aim Is True the 80th greatest album of all time. In 2003, the album was ranked number 168 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time
The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
"The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" is the title of a 2003 special issue of American magazine Rolling Stone, and a related book published in 2005.Related news articles:...
. In 2004, it was ranked 37 of the top 100 albums of the 1970s by Pitchfork which reported the album to be "held by many as the most impressive debut in pop music history."
On November 8, 2007, Costello reunited with the members of Clover from the original recording sessions to perform the songs from My Aim Is True for the first time ever in public at the Great American Music Hall
Great American Music Hall
The Great American Music Hall is a concert hall in San Francisco, California. It is located on O'Farrell Street in the Tenderloin neighborhood on the same block as the Mitchell Brothers O'Farrell Theater...
in San Francisco. The event was a benefit for the Richard de Lone Special Housing Fund, which assists those with Prader-Willi Syndrome
Prader-Willi syndrome
Prader–Willi syndrome is a rare genetic disorder in which seven genes on chromosome 15 are deleted or unexpressed on the paternal chromosome...
.
Background
Costello (born Declan MacManus) had been performing in clubs and pubs in LiverpoolLiverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
and London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
since 1970 and had created some demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
tapes, but he had had little success in obtaining a recording contract. When Stiff Records
Stiff Records
Stiff Records is a record label created in London in 1976, by entrepreneurs Dave Robinson and Andrew Jakeman , and active until 1985. It was reactivated in 2007....
was founded in 1976, Costello submitted his demos there and found some interest, but initially they wanted him as a songwriter for Dave Edmunds
Dave Edmunds
David 'Dave' Edmunds is a Welsh singer, guitarist and record producer. Although he is primarily associated with Pub rock and New Wave, and had numerous hits in the 1970s and early 1980s, his natural leaning has always been towards 1950s style rock and roll.-Early bands:As a teenager Edmunds first...
. Edmunds, however, was reluctant, so the company had Costello and Clover re-record some of his songs, with Lowe producing, to try and persuade him. The new recordings were good enough on their own for Stiff Records to abandon that idea.
The label then suggested that he share a debut album with Wreckless Eric
Wreckless Eric
Wreckless Eric is an English rock and roll/new wave singer-songwriter, best known for his 1977 single " Whole Wide World" on Stiff Records. More than two decades after its release, the song was included in Mojo magazine’s list of the best punk rock singles of all time...
, but Costello had written enough songs, most of them at home late at night so as not to wake his wife and young son or on the Underground
London Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...
while commuting to work, to have an entire album of his own. Costello called in sick to his day job (as a data-entry clerk) in order to rehearse and record the album with Clover, which was cut in a series of six four-hour sessions for about £1,000.
Costello stayed at his day job as the first two singles, "Less Than Zero" and "Alison", were pre-released without much success. Finally, the label decided to release the album in the summer of 1977, and he was asked to quit his job and become a professional musician. Stiff Records would match his office wages and gave him a record advance of £150, an amp
Electronic amplifier
An electronic amplifier is a device for increasing the power of a signal.It does this by taking energy from a power supply and controlling the output to match the input signal shape but with a larger amplitude...
, and a tape recorder
Tape recorder
An audio tape recorder, tape deck, reel-to-reel tape deck, cassette deck or tape machine is an audio storage device that records and plays back sounds, including articulated voices, usually using magnetic tape, either wound on a reel or in a cassette, for storage...
. Three weeks after its release, Costello was on the cover of a music paper. He described this situation as being "an overnight success after seven years."
Packaging and artwork
The album cover was designed by Barney BubblesBarney Bubbles
Colin Fulcher aka Barney Bubbles was a radical English graphic artist, whose work primarily encompassed the disciplines of graphic design, painting and music video direction. He is most renowned for his distinctive contribution to the graphic design associated with the British independent music...
, who was uncredited on the album sleeve. The cover art features rows of tiny black and white checks (surrounding the photo of Costello) on which the phrase "Elvis Is King" is written. Costello's pose on the cover would become an iconic look for him, with the Buddy Holly
Buddy Holly
Charles Hardin Holley , known professionally as Buddy Holly, was an American singer-songwriter and a pioneer of rock and roll...
glasses and the knees bent inwards together. He struck a similar pose in the photo on the back of the original sleeve.
Initially, the LP cover had a black & white photo on the front, and a yellow back. The first 1000 UK copies also came with a form asking the buyer to send in the address of a friend, who would then receive a free copy. The form was titled: HELP US HYPE ELVIS. The free copies that were sent out in response to returned forms were customised with a large special sticker. The form and the sticker were also designed by Barney Bubbles
Barney Bubbles
Colin Fulcher aka Barney Bubbles was a radical English graphic artist, whose work primarily encompassed the disciplines of graphic design, painting and music video direction. He is most renowned for his distinctive contribution to the graphic design associated with the British independent music...
. First pressings came with writings on the dead wax with on the A side "Elvis is King" and "Porky Prime Cut
George Peckham
George "Porky" Peckham is an English record cutting engineer, widely recognised as among the most accomplished in the business. He has been responsible for producing the master discs from which countless vinyl records have been pressed over the last 40 years....
" and on the B side "on this side too" and "porky prime cut too". Early issues were also printed with many different coloured backs. Later issues then had a green tint on the front picture and a green back. The Demon re-issue originally had a yellow tint on the photo and a yellow back, and the reissue has a green tint photo.
Track listing
All songs written by Elvis CostelloElvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
unless otherwise indicated.
Side one
- "Welcome to the Working Week" – 1:22
- "Miracle Man" – 3:31
- "No Dancing" – 2:39
- "Blame It on Cain" – 2:49
- "AlisonAlison (song)"Alison" is the fifth track on Elvis Costello's first album, My Aim Is True, released in 1977. Because "Alison" was recorded before Elvis Costello and the Attractions formed, his backing band was Clover...
" – 3:21 - "Sneaky Feelings" – 2:09
Side two
- "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" – 2:47
- "Less Than ZeroLess Than Zero (song)"Less Than Zero" is the eighth track on Elvis Costello's debut album My Aim Is True, and the first Costello single that Stiff Records released.In the liner notes to the Rhino edition of the album, Costello writes:...
" – 3:15 - "Mystery Dance" – 1:38
- "Pay It Back" – 2:33
- "I'm Not Angry" – 2:57
- "Waiting for the End of the World" – 3:22
- Tracklisting notes: "Watching the Detectives", which was released in the UK as a single in October 1977, was not on the original UK release of the album, but was added to the U.S. release as the last track on side one.
Bonus tracks (1993 Rykodisc)
- "Watching the DetectivesWatching the Detectives (song)"Watching the Detectives" is a 1977 single by English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello. It was his first single that credited his backing band, the Attractions, and gave him his first UK hit single...
" – 3:45 - "Radio Sweetheart" – 2:25
- "Stranger in the House" – 3:01
- "Imagination (Is a Powerful Deceiver)" – 3:38
- "Mystery Dance" (Demo version) – 2:13
- "Cheap Reward" (Demo version) – 2:15
- "Jump Up" (Demo version) – 2:06
- "Wave a White Flag" (Demo version) – 1:53
- "Blame It on Cain" (Demo version) – 3:30
- "Poison Moon" (Demo version) – 1:53
- Tracklisting notes: The Rykodisc reissue placed "Watching the Detectives" after a 5-second silence following "Waiting for the End of the World."
Bonus Disc (2001 Rhino)
- "No Action" (Early version) – 2:15
- "Living in Paradise" (Early version) – 3:00
- "Radio Sweetheart" – 2:31
- "Stranger in the House" – 3:04
- "I Just Don't Know What to Do with MyselfI Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself"I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.-Original version:"I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself" was first recorded by Tommy Hunt in a session produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, with Burt Bacharach arranging and conducting...
" (Burt BacharachBurt BacharachBurt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
, Hal DavidHal DavidHarold Lane "Hal" David is an American lyricist. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York. David is best known for his collaborations with composer Burt Bacharach.-Career:...
) (from Live Stiffs) – 2:27 - "Less Than Zero" (Dallas version) (from Live at the El MocamboLive at the El MocamboLive at the El Mocambo is the second live album by the Canadian rock band April Wine, released in 1977. It was recorded during a performance at Toronto's El Mocambo club when April Wine opened for the Rolling Stones during one of the surprise club appearances for which the Stones are renowned, and...
) – 4:19 - "Imagination (Is a Powerful Deceiver)" – 3:39
- "Mystery Dance" (Demo version) – 2:15
- "Cheap Reward (Demo version) – 2:18
- "Jump Up" (Demo version) – 2:09
- "Wave a White Flag" (Demo version) – 1:59
- "Blame It on Cain" (Demo version) – 3:34
- "Poison Moon" (Demo version) – 1:53
Track Listing (2007 Deluxe Edition Hip-O)
Disc 1:
- "Welcome To The Working Week"
- "Miracle Man"
- "No Dancing"
- "Blame It On Cain"
- "Alison"
- "Sneaky Feelings"
- "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes"
- "Less Than Zero"
- "Mystery Dance"
- "Pay It Back"
- "I'm Not Angry"
- "Waiting For The End Of The World"
- "Watching The Detectives"
- "No Action" (early version)
- "Living In Paradise" (early version)
- "Radio Sweetheart"
- "Stranger In The House"
- "Welcome To The Working Week" (Pathway Studios demo)
- "Blue Minute" (Pathway Studios demo)
- "Miracle Man" (Pathway Studios demo)
- "Waiting For The End Of The World" (Pathway Studios demo)
- "Call On Me" (Pathway Studios demo)
- "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" (Pathway Studios demo)
- "I Don't Want To Go Home" (Pathway Studios demo)
- "I Hear A Melody" (Pathway Studios demo)
Disc 2:
Elvis Costello & the Attractions: Live at The Nashville Rooms - August 7, 1977
- Introduction by Dave Robinson
- "Welcome To The Working Week"
- "Blame It On Cain"
- "No Dancing"
- "Waiting For The End Of The World"
- "Night Rally"
- "Hoover Factory"
- "No Action"
- "(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea"
- "Miracle Man"
- "The Beat"
- "Less Than Zero"
- "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes"
- "Lipstick Vogue"
- "Watching The Detectives"
- "Lip Service"
- "Mystery Dance"
- "Alison"
- "Pay It Back" (soundcheck)
- "Radio Sweetheart" (soundcheck)
- "Sneaky Feelings" (soundcheck)
- "Crawling In The USA" (soundcheck)
- "Alison" (soundcheck)
Note: The Rykodisc version has the original tracks and bonus tracks on one CD. The Rhino version has two CDs with the original tracks on the first CD. The Hip-O version has the original tracks and bonus tracks on the first CD and a recording of a 1977 concert on the second.
Personnel
- Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloElvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
– vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and drumsticks on "Mystery Dance" - Nick LoweNick LoweNicholas Drain "Nick" Lowe , is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer.A pivotal figure in UK pub rock, punk rock and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with vocals, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica...
– backing vocals, piano, drumsticks and bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
on "Mystery Dance" - John McFeeJohn McFeeJohn McFee is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist, and long time member of the Doobie Brothers.-Biography:...
– lead guitar, pedal steel guitarPedal steel guitarThe pedal steel guitar is a type of electric guitar that uses a metal bar to "fret" or shorten the length of the strings, rather than fingers on strings as with a conventional guitar. Unlike other types of steel guitar, it also uses pedals and knee levers to affect the pitch, hence the name "pedal"...
, backing vocals - Sean Hopper – piano, organOrgan (music)The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
, backing vocals - Stan Shaw – organ on "Less Than Zero"
- Johnny Ciambotti – bass, backing vocals
- Mickey Shine – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Andrew Bodnar – bass on "Watching the Detectives"
- Steve GouldingSteve GouldingSteve Goulding is an English drummer, best known for his memberships with Graham Parker and The Rumour, The Associates, Poi Dog Pondering and The Mekons. With the Associates he had a UK #9 hit single with "Party Fears Two"...
– drums on "Watching the Detectives" - Steve NieveSteve NieveSteve Nieve is an English keyboardist, best known for his work with Elvis Costello and the Attractions and Elvis Costello and the Imposters.-Musical career:...
– organ and piano overdubs on "Watching the Detectives"
Chart positions
| Chart | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums Chart Kent Music Report The Kent Music Report was a weekly record chart of Australian music singles and albums which was compiled by music enthusiast David Kent from May 1974 through to 1998... |
25 |
| Canadian Albums Chart RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... |
24 |
| New Zealand Albums Chart | 32 |
| Swedish Albums Chart Sverigetopplistan Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association .... |
14 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
14 |
| United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
32 |
Certifications
}}
}
External links
- Album online on Radio3Net a radio channel of Romanian Radio Broadcasting CompanyRomanian Radio Broadcasting CompanyThe Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company , informally referred to as Radio Romania , is the public radio broadcaster in Romania. It operates four national radio channels, and, under the Radio România Regional umbrella, eleven regional radio stations. The four national radio channels are: Radio...