Armed Forces
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For the military meaning, see Armed force.
Armed Forces was Elvis Costello's third album, his second with the Attractions, and the first to officially credit the Attractions on the cover.
It featured a more pop-oriented sound, which Costello has attributed to his ABBA fandom. It was produced by Nick Lowe.
The working title of Armed Forces was Emotional Fascism, and throughout the album Costello's lyrics are noticably mired in militaristic and Nazi/fascist imagery ("Oliver's Army is here to stay," "are you ready for the Final Solution," "two little Hitlers," etc.).
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Track listing
- Accidents Will Happen
- Senior Service
- Oliver's Army
- Big Boys
- Green Shirt
- Party Girl
- Goon Squad
- Busy Bodies
- Sunday's Best
- Moods for Moderns
- Chemistry Class
- Two Little Hitlers
- (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding
NOTE: "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding" was not on the original UK release of Armed Forces. It was first issued as a B-side on the single "American Squirm" by Nick Lowe & His Sound.
2002 Rhino Bonus Disc Tracks
- Tiny Steps
- Busy Bodies (alternate version)
- Talking in the Dark
- Big Boys (alternate version)
- Clean Money
- Wednesday Week
- My Funny Valentine
- Accidents Will Happen (live)
- Mystery Dance (live)
- Goon Squad (live)
- Party Girl (live)
- Stranger in the House (live)
- Alison (live)
- Lipstick Vogue (live)
- Watching the Detectives (live)
- You Belong to Me (live)
- Chemistry Class (live solo)
Personnel
- Nick Lowe - producer
- Roger Bechirian - engineer
- Elvis Costello - guitar, vocals, songwriter
- Steve Nieve - keyboards
- Bruce Thomas - bass
- Pete Thomas - drums