Costello songs in Rolling Stone 500 Best Songs
In the new Rolling Stone -
318
Alison
Elvis Costello
1977
Written by: Costello
Produced by: Nick Lowe
Released: Nov. '77 on Columbia
Charts: Did not chart
Some people think "Alison" is a murder ballad. "It isn't," Costello told ROLLING STONE in 2002. "It's about disappointing somebody. It's a thin line between love and hate, as the Persuaders sang." Contrary to myth, the backup band was not Huey Lewis and the News.
Appears on: My Aim Is True (Rhino)
354
Watching the Detectives
Elvis Costello
1977
Written by: Costello
Produced by: Nick Lowe
Released: Nov. '77 on Columbia
Charts: Did not chart
In the summer of 1977, Costello was still an aspiring songwriter when he took the Clash's debut back to his London flat and "listened to it for thirty-six hours straight," he recalled. "And I wrote 'Watching the Detectives.' " A clever but furious burst of cynicism, the song merges punk aggression with noir menace, as Costello snarls about a lover who'd rather watch TV.
Appears on: My Aim Is True (Rhino)
284
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding
Elvis Costello
1979
Written by: Nick Lowe
Produced by: Lowe
Released: Jan. '79 on Columbia
Charts: Non-single
"What's So Funny" was written by Lowe, Costello's pal and producer. The original, by Lowe's country-rock band Brinsley Schwartz, was mellow and cute, but Costello snarls the song intensely enough to make the title question seem brand-new, with thundering drums and droning piano. It's like Abba playing punk rock.
Appears on: Armed Forces (Rhino)