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ELVIS COSTELLO


"Less Than Zero"


SHORT BIOGRAPHY:

Costello's released his first single "Less Than Zero" for Stiff records on 25 March 1977. Two months later, his debut album, My Aim Is True , was released with Costello appearing on the cover in what became his trademark oversize glasses, bearing some resemblance to Buddy Holly.


The backing for Costello's debut album was provided by American West Coast band Clover, a country outfit living in England whose members would later go on to join Huey Lewis and the News.


Costello released his first major hit single, "Watching the Detectives", which was recorded with Steve Nieve and the pair of Steve Goulding (drums) and Andrew Bodnar (bass).


Elvis Costello and the Attractions recorded This Year's Model in 1978. Some of the more popular tracks include the British hit "(I Don't Want to Go To) Chelsea" and "Pump It Up."


A tour of the U.S. and Canada also saw the release of the much-bootlegged Canadian promo-only Live at the El Mocambo, recorded at a Toronto rock club, which later officially released.


In 1979, he released his third LP Armed Forces. Both the album and the single "Oliver's Army" went to #2 in the UK, and the opening track "Accidents Will Happen" gained wide television exposure thanks to its innovative animated music video, directed by Annabel Jankel and Rocky Morton.


Since then Costello has released several great albums among which “Get Happy”, “Imperial Bedroom” and “Blood & Chocolate” are highly praised.


Costello and Attractions Band Members:

Elvis Costello (Declan Patrick MacManus): Born: 25 August 1954. Vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums.

Steve Nieve: Born: 19 February 1958. Keyboards.

Bruce Thomas: Born: 14 August 1948. Bass.

Pete Thomas: Born: 9 August 1954. Drums.


Chords for "Watch Your Step"

Discography:


1. My Aim is True - Stiff 1977

1. Welcome to the Working Week / 2. Miracle Man / 3. No Dancing / 4. Blame It on Cain / 5. Alison / 6. Sneaky Feelings / 7. Red Shoes / 8. Less Than Zero / 9. Mystery Dance / 10. Pay It Back / 11. I'm Not Angry / 12. Waiting for the End of the World / 13. Watching the Detectives // 1. No Action* / 2. Living in Paradise / 3. Radio Sweetheart* / 4. Stranger in the House* / 5. I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself* / 6. Less Than Zero* / 7. Imagination* / 8. Mystery Dance* / 9. Cheap Reward * / 10. Jump Up* / 11. Blame it on Cain* / 12. Poison Moon*
Rating : 9


2. This Year's Model - Radar 1978

1. No Action / 2. This Year's Girl / 3. Beat / 4. Pump It Up / 5. Little Triggers / 6. You Belong To Me / 7. Hand In Hand / 8. (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea / 9. Lip Service / 10. Living In Paradise / 11. Lipstick Vogue / 12. Night Rally / 13. Radio, Radio / 14. Big Tears / 15. Crawling To The USA / 16. Tiny Steps / 17. Running Out Of Angels* / 18. Greenshirt* / 19. Big Boys* / 20. Neat Neat Neat* / 21. Roadette Song* / 22. This Year's Girl* / 23. (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea* // 1. Pump It Up* / 2. Waiting For The End Of The World* / 3. No Action * / 4. Less Than Zero* / 5. Beat, The* / 6. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes* / 7. (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea* / 8. Hand In Hand* / 9. Little Triggers* / 10. Radio, Radio* / 11. You Belong To Me* / 12. Lipstick Vogue* / 13. Watching The Detectives* / 14. Mystery Dance* / 15. Miracle Man* / 16. Blame It On Cain* / 17. Chemistry Class*
Rating : 9


3. Armed Forces - Radar 1979

1. Accidents Will Happen / 2. Senior Service / 3. Oliver's Army / 4. Big Boys / 5. Green Shirt / 6. Party Girl / 7. Goon Squad / 8. Busy Bodies / 9. Sunday's Best / 10. Moods For Moderns / 11. Chemistry Class / 12. Two Little Hitlers / 13. (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding
Rating : 9


4. Get Happy - F-Beat 1980

1. Love For Tender / 2. Opportunity / 3. The Imposter / 4. Secondary Modern / 5. King Horse / 6. Possession / 7. Men Called Uncle / 8. Clowntime Is Over / 9. New Amsterdam / 10. High Fidelity / 11. I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down / 12. Black And White World / 13. Five Gears In Reverse / 14. B-Movie / 15. Motel Matches / 16. Human Touch / 17. Beaten To The Punch / 18. Temptation / 19. I Stand Accused / 20. Riot Act // 1. I Stand Accused (alt.) / 2. So Young / 3. Girls Talk / 4. Human Touch (alt.) / 5. Temptation (alt.) / 6. Motel Matches (alt.) / 7. Clowntime is Over no. 2 / 8. B Movie (alt.) / 9. Girls Talk (alt.) / 10. Getting Mighty Crowded / 11. From a Whisper to a Scream (alt.) / 12. Watch Your Step (alt.) / 13. Dr. Luther's Assistant / 14. Ghost Train / 15. New Lace Sleevs (alt.) / 16. Hoover Factory / 17. Just a Memory / 18. I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down (alt.) / 19. New Amsterdam (alt.) / 20. Black and White World (demo)/ 21. Riot Act (demo) /22. 5ive Gears in Reverse(demo)/ 23. Love For Tender (demo) / 24. Men Called Uncle (demo) / 25. King Horse (demo) / 26. Seven O'Clock (demo) / 27. High Fidelity (live) / 28. Opportunity (live) / 29. The Imposter (live) / 30. Don't Look Back (live)
Rating : 9


5. Trust - F-Beat 1981

1. Clubland / 2. Lover's Walk / 3. You'll Never Be A Man / 4. Pretty Words / 5. Strict Time / 6. Luxembourg / 7. Watch Your Step / 8. New Lace Sleeves / 9. From A Whisper To A Scream / 10. Different Finger / 11. White Knuckles / 12. Shot With His Own Gun / 13. Fish 'N' Chip Paper / 14. Big Sister's Clothes
Rating : 7


6. Almost Blue - F-Beat 1981

1. Why Don't You Love Me / 2. Sweet Dreams / 3. Success / 4. I'm Your Toy / 5. Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down / 6. Brown To Blue / 7. Good Year For The Roses / 8. Sittin' And Thinkin' / 9. Colour Of The Blues / 10. Too Far Gone / 11. Honey Hush / 12. How Much I Lied
Rating : 3


7. Imperial Bedroom - F-Beat 1982

1. Beyond Belief / 2. Tears Before Bedtime / 3. Shabby Doll / 4. The Long Honeymoon / 5. Man Out Of Time / 6. Almost Blue / 7. ...And In Every Home / 8. The Loved Ones / 9. Human Hands / 10. Kid About It / 11. Little Savage / 12. Boy With A Problem / 13. Pidgin English / 14. You Little Fool / 15. Town Cryer
Rating : 7


8. Punch the Clock - F-Beat 1983

1. Let Them All Talk / 2. Every Day I Write The Book / 3. The Greatest Thing /4. The Element Within Her / 5. Love Went Mad / 6. Shipbuilding / 7. TKO (Boxing Day) / 8. Charm School / 9. The Invisible Man / 10. Mouth Almighty / 11. King Of Thieves / 12. Pills & Soap / 13. The World And His Wife
Rating : 7


9. Goodbye Cruel World - F-Beat 1984

1. The Only Flame In Town / 2. Home Truth / 3. Room With No Number / 4. Inch By Inch / 5. Worthless Thing / 6. Love Field / 7. I Wanna Be Loved / 8. The Comedians / 9. Joe Porterhouse / 10. Sour Milk Cow Blues / 11. The Great Unknown / 12. The Deportees Club / 13. Peace In Our Time
Rating :


10. King of America - Demon 1986

1. Brilliant Mistake / 2. Lovable / 3. Our Little Angel / 4. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood / 5. Glitter Gulch / 6. Indoor Fireworks / 7. Little Palaces / 8. I'll Wear It Proudly / 9. American Without Tears / 10. Eisenhower Blues / 11. Poisoned Rose / 12. The Big Light / 13. Jack Of All Parades / 14. Suit Of Lights / 15. Sleep Of The Just
Rating :


11. Blood & Chocolate - Demon 1986

1. Uncomplicated / 2. I Hope You're Happy Now / 3. Tokyo Storm Warning / 4. Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head / 5. I Want You / 6. Honey Are You Straight Or Are You Blind / 7. Blue Chair / 8. Battered Old Bird / 9. Crimes Of Paris / 10. Poor Napoleon / 11. Next Time Round
Rating :


12. Spike - Warner Brothers 1989

1. ...This Town... / 2. Let Him Dangle / 3. Deep Dark Truthful Mirror / 4. Veronica / 5. God's Comic / 6. Chewing Gum / 7. Tramp the Dirt Down / 8. Stalin Malone / 9. Satellite / 10. Pads, Paws and Claws / 11. Baby Plays Around / 12. Miss MacBeth / 13. Any King's Shilling / 14. Coal-Train Robberies / 15. Last Boat Leaving
Rating :6


13. Mighty Like a Rose - Warner Brothers 1991

1. Other Side of Summer / 2. Hurry Down Doomsday / 3. How to Be Dumb / 4. All Grown Up / 5. Invasion Hit Parade / 6. Harpies Bizarre / 7. After the Fall / 8. Georgie and Her Rival / 9. So Like Candy / 10. Playboy to a Man / 11. Sweet Pear / 12. Broken / 13. Couldn't Call It Unexpected No. 4
Rating :


14. The Juliet Letters - Warner Brothers 1993

1. Deliver Us / 2. For Other Eyes / 3. Swine / 4. Expert Rites / 5. Dead Letter / 6. I Almost Had A Weakness / 7. Why / 8. Who Do You Think You Are? / 9. Taking My Life In Your Hands / 10. This Offer Is Unrepeatable / 11. Dear Sweet Filthy World / 12. The Letter Home / 13. Jacksons, Monk And Rowe / 14. This Sad Burlesque / 15. Romeo's Seance / 16. I Thought I'd Write To Juliet / 17. Last Post / 18. The First To Leave / 19. Damnation's Cellar / 20. The Birds Will Still Be Singing
Rating :


15. Brutal Youth - Warner Brothers 1994

1. Pony St. / 2. Kinder Murder / 3. 13 Steps Lead Down / 4. This Is Hell 5. Clown Strike / 6. You Tripped At Every Step / 7. Still Too Soon To Know / 8. 20% Amnesia / 9. Sulky Girl / 10. London's Brilliant Parade / 11. My Science Fiction Twin / 12. Rocking Horse Road / 13. Just About Glad / 14. All The Rage / 15. Favourite Hour // 1. Life Shrinks / 2. Favourite Hour (Alt.) / 3. This Is Hell (Alt.) / 4. Idiophone / 5. Abandon Words / 6. Poisoned Letter / 7. A Drunken Man's Praise Of Sobriety / 8. Pony St. (Demo) / 9. Clown Strike (Alt.) / 10. Rocking Horse Road (Demo) / 11. 13 Steps Lead Down (Demo) / 12. All The Rage (Demo) / 13. Just About Glad (Alt.) / 14. Sulky Girl (Demo) / 15. You Tripped At Every Step (Alt.)
Rating :


16. Kojak Variety - Warner Brothers 1994

1. Strange / 2. Hidden Charms / 3. Remove This Doubt / 4. I Threw It All Away / 5. Leave My Kitten Alone / 6. Everybody's Crying Mercy / 7. I've Been Wrong Before / 8. Bama Lama Bama Loo / 9. Must You Throw Dirt In My Face / 10. Pouring Water On A Drowning Man / 11. The Very Thought Of You / 12. Payday / 13. Please Stay / 14. Running Out Of Fools / 15. Days // 1. Ship Of Fools / 2. My Resistance Is Low / 3. Innocent When You Dream / 4. I'm Coming Home / 5. The Dark End Of The Street / 6. Congratulations / 7. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go / 8. Pouring Water On A Drowning Man (Alt.) / 9. Still Feeling Blue / 10. Brilliant Disguise / 11. How Long Has This Been Going On / 12. Sleepless Nights / 13. Step Inside Love / 14. You've Got To Hide Your Love Away / 15. Sally Sue Brown / 16. Sticks And Stones / 17. That's How You Got Killed Before / 18. The Night Before Larry Was Stretched / 19. But Not For Me / 20. Full Force Gale
Rating : 6


17. All This Useless Beauty - Warner Brothers 1996

1. The Other End Of The Telescope / 2. Little Atoms / 3. All This Useless Beauty / 4. Complicated Shadows / 5. Why Can't A Man Stand Alone? / 6. Distorted Angel / 7. Shallow Grave / 8. Poor Fractured Atlas / 9. Starting To Come To Me / 10. You Bowed Down / 11. It's Time / 12. I Want To Vanish // 1. Almost Ideal Eyes / 2. My Dark Life / 3. That Day Is Done / 4. What Do I Do Now? / 5. The Bridge I Burned / 6. It's Time (demo) / 7. Complicated Shadows (demo) / 8. You Bowed Down / 9. Mistress And Maid (demo) / 10. Distorted Angel (demo) / 11. World's Greatest Optimist (demo) / 12. The Only Flame In Town (demo) / 13. The Comedians (demo) / 14. The Days Take Care Of Everything (demo) / 15. Hidden Shame (demo) / 16. Why Can't A Man Stand Alone (demo) / 17. Distorted Angel (Remix)
Rating : 5


18. Painted from Memory - Mercury 1998

1. In The Darkest Place / 2. Toledo / 3. I Still Have That Other Girl / 4. This House Is Empty Now / 5. Tears At The Birthday Party / 6. Such Unlikely Lovers / 7. My Thief / 8. The Long Division / 9. Painted From Memory / 10. The Sweetest Punch / 11. What's Her Name Today? / 12. God Give Me Strength
Rating : 4


19. When I Was Cruel - Island Records 2002

1. 45 / 2. Spooky Girlfriend / 3. Tear Off Your Own Head / 4. When I Was Cruel No.2 / 5. Soul For Hire / 6. 15 Petals / 7. Tart / 8. Dust 2 .../ 9. Dissolve / 10. Alibi / 11. ...Dust / 12. Daddy Can I Turn This? / 13. My Little Blue Window / 14. Episode Of Blonde / 15. Radio Silence
Rating : 7


20. North - Deutsche Grammophon 2003

1. You Left Me In The Dark / 2. Someone Took The Words Away / 3. When Did I Stop Dreaming / 4. You Turned To Me / 5. Fallen / 6. When It Sings / 7. Still / 8. Let Me Tell You About Her / 9. Can You Be True? / 10. When Green Eyes Turn Blue / 11. I'm In The Mood Again
Rating : 4


21. The Delivery Man - Lost Highway 2003

1. Button My Lip / 2. Country Darkness / 3. There's A Story In Your Voice / 4. Either Side Of The Same Town / 5. Bedlam / 6. The Delivery Man / 7. Monkey To Man / 8. Nothing Clings Like Ivy / 9. The Name Of This Thing Is Not Love / 10. Heart Shaped Bruise / 11. She's Pulling Out The Pin / 12. Needle Time / 13. The Judgement / 14. The Scarlet Tide // 1. The Monkey / 2. Country Darkness / 3. Needle Time / 4. The Scarlet Tide / 5. In Another Room / 6. The Delivery Man / 7. Dark End Of The Street
Rating : 7


22. River in Reverse - Verve Forecast 2006

1. On Your Way Down / 2. Nearer To You / 3. Tears, Tears And More Tears / 4. The Sharpest Thorn / 5. Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further / 6. The River In Reverse / 7. Freedom For The Stallion / 8. Broken Promise Land / 9. Ascension Day / 10. International Echo / 11. All These Things / 12. Wonder Woman / 13. Six-Fingered Man
Rating : 6


23. Momofuku - Lost Highway 2008

1. No Hiding Place / 2. American Gangster Time / 3. Turpentine / 4. Harry Worth / 5. Drum And Bone / 6. Flutter And Wow / 7. Stella Hurt / 8. Mr. Feathers / 9. My Three Sons / 10. Song With Rose / 11. Pardon Me Madam, My Name Is Eve / 12. Go Away
Rating : 8


24. Secret, Profane & Sugarcane - Hear Music 2009

1. Down Among the Wines and Spirits / 2. Complicated Shadows / 3. I Felt the Chill Before the Winter Came / 4. My All Time Doll / 5. Hidden Shame / 6. She Handed Me a Mirror / 7. I Dreamed of My Old Lover / 8. How Deep Is the Red / 9. She Was No Good / 10. Sulphur to Sugarcane / 11. Red Cotton / 12. The Crooked Line / 13. Changing Partners
Rating :


25. National Ransom - Hear Music 2010

1. National Ransom / 2. Jimmie Standing In The Rain / 3. Stations Of The Cross / 4. A Slow Drag With Josephine / 5. Five Small Words / 6. Church Underground / 7. You Hung The Moon / 8. Bullets For The New-Born King / 9. I Lost You / 10. Dr. Watson, I Presume / 11. One Bell Ringing / 12. The Spell That You Cast / 13. That's Not The Part Of Him You're Leaving / 14. My Lovely Jezebel / 15. All These Strangers / 16. A Voice In The Dark
Rating : 6


26. Wise Up Ghost - Hear Music 2013

1. Walk Us Uptown / 2. Sugar Won't Work / 3. Refuse to Be Saved / 4. Wake Me Up/ 5. Tripwire / 6. Stick Out Your Tongue / 7. Come the Meantimes / 8. (She Might Be A) Grenade / 9. Cinco Minutos Con Vos / 10. Viceroy's Row / 11. Wise Up Ghost / 12. If I Could Believe / 13. My New Haunt / 14. Can You Hear Me? / 15. The Puppet Has Cut His Strings
Rating :


27. Look Now - Concord 2018

1. Under Lime / 2. Don't Look Now / 3. Burnt Sugar Is So Bitter / 4. Stripping Paper / 5. Unwanted Number / 6. I Let the Sun Go Down / 7. Mr. and Mrs. Hush / 8. Photographs Can Lie / 9. Dishonor the Stars / 10. Suspect My Tears / 11. Why Won't Heaven Help Me? / 12. He's Given Me Things
Rating :


27. Hey Clockface - Concord 2020

1. Revolution / 2. No Flag / 3. They're Not Laughing At Me Now / 4. Newspaper Pane / 5. I Do (Zula's Song) / 6. We Are All Cowards Now / 7. Hey Clockface/How Can You Face Me? / 8. The Wirlwind / 9. Hetty O'Hara Confidential / 10. The Last Confession Of Vivian Whip / 11. What Is It That I Need That I Don't Already Have? / 12. Radio Is Everything / 13. I Can't Say Her Name / 14. Byline
Rating :


28. The Boy Named If - Capitol 2022

1. Farewell, OK / 2. The Boy Named If / 3. Penelope Halfpenny / 4. The Difference / 5. What If I Can’t Give You Anything But Love? / 6. Paint the Red Rose Blue / 7. Mistook Me for a Friend / 8. My Most Beautiful Mistake / 9. Magnificent Hurt / 10. The Man You Love to Hate / 11. The Death of Magic Thinking / 12. Trick Out the Truth / 13. Mr. Crescent
Rating :


My Suggestion For a 2 CD 160 minutes (app.) Best Of Compilation:


1. Red Shoes ( Costello ) My Aim is True
2. Oliver's Army ( Costello ) Armed Forces
3. Accidents Will Happen ( Costello ) Armed Forces
4. Less Than Zero ( Costello ) My Aim is True
5. Chemistry Class ( Costello ) Armed Forces
6. Watch Your Step ( Costello ) Trust
7. Secondary Modern ( Costello ) Get Happy
8. Possession ( Costello ) Get Happy
9. Hand in Hand ( Costello ) This Year's Model
10. Busy Bodies ( Costello ) Armed Forces
11. What's So Funny About Love, Peace & Understanding (Lowe) Armed Forces
12. No Dancing ( Costello ) My Aim is True
13. Alison ( Costello ) My Aim is True
14. I Don't Want to go to Chelsea ( Costello ) This Year's Model
15. Lip Service ( Costello ) This Year's Model
16. Tiny Steps ( Costello ) This Year's Model*
17. Two Little Hitlers ( Costello ) Armed Forces
18. New Amsterdam ( Costello ) Get Happy
19. Miracle Man ( Costello ) My Aim is True
20. Watching the Detectives ( Costello ) My Aim is True
21. Little Triggers ( Costello ) This Year's Model
22. Big Tears ( Costello ) This Year's Model*
23. Clowntime is Over ( Costello ) Get Happy
24. Riot Act ( Costello ) Get Happy
25. Dr Luther's Assistant ( Costello ) Get Happy*
26. Welcome to the Working Week ( Costello ) My Aim is True
27. No Action ( Costello ) This Year's Model
28. Radio Radio ( Costello ) This Year's Model*
29. Girl's Talk ( Costello ) My Aim is True*
30. Senior Service ( Costello ) Armed Forces
31. Motel Matches ( Costello ) Get Happy
32. Just a Memory ( Costello ) Armed Forces*
33. New Lace Sleeves ( Costello ) Trust
34. Shabby Doll ( Costello ) Imperial Bedroom
35. This Year's Girl ( Costello ) This Year's Model
36. Big Boys ( Costello ) Armed Forces
37. Tramp the Dirt Down ( Costello ) Spike
38. Living in Paradise ( Costello ) This Year's Model
39. Green Shirt ( Costello ) Armed Forces
40. Opportunity ( Costello ) Get Happy
41. Veronica ( Costello ) Spike
42. Party Girl ( Costello ) Armed Forces
43. Temptation ( Costello ) Get Happy
44. Big Siter's Clothes ( Costello ) Trust
45. You Bowed Down ( Costello ) All This Useless Beauty
46. This Town ( Costello ) Spike
47. Little Savage ( Costello ) Imperial Bedroom
48. You Little Fool ( Costello ) Imperial Bedroom
49. The Loved Ones ( Costello ) Imperial Bedroom
50. Long Honeymoon ( Costello ) Imperial Bedroom
51. My Three Sons ( Costello ) Momofuku
52. Song With Rose ( Costello ) Momofuku
53. Mr Feathers ( Costello ) Momofuku

Essential Albums!

Original albums as listed and rated on “Rate Your Music” - January 8 - 2012

4 This Year's Model - 1978
11 My Aim is True - 1977
17 Armed Forces - 1979
21 Imperial Bedroom - 1982
31 Get Happy - 1980
38 King of America - 1986
48 Blood and Chocolate - 1986
77 Trust - 1981
240 Punch the Clock - 1983
491 Spike - 1989
500 Almost Blue - 1981
511 Brutal Youth - 1994
556 Look Now - 2018
628 When I Was Cruel - 2002
729 Mighty Like a Rose - 1991
752 Momufoku - 2008
806 The Delivery Man - 2004
865 All This Useless Beauty - 1996
Check and Rate Here!

February 8 - "rateyourmusic.com"


LINKS:

The Official Elvis Costello Site

A Fan Page


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Morten Vindberg

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