My Aim Is True
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My Aim Is True is the debut album by Elvis Costello.
It ushered in the new wave genre, both musically and in the stylish appearance of the man himself. Released in 1977 (see 1977 in music) by Stiff/Columbia, the album broke new ground with punk, pop, and reggae influences, but without the overt abrasion or sometimes heavy politics of punk. Clearly a reaction to the bloat of over-produced 1960s-1970s stadium rock, this definitive new wave album features songs that are short, fast, danceable, and relatively accessible, with very straightforward production by Nick Lowe.
Elvis looks like a 1950s throwback, with his short hair, heavy-rimmed spectacles, suit jacket, and pegged jeans, in a pose taken from Chuck Berry. The cover art features rows of tiny black and white checks on which the phrase "Elvis Is King" is written.
Future Costello albums featured The Attractions, but this one features Clover, a band that would evolve into Huey Lewis and the News. Guitarist John McFee would end up with The Doobie Brothers.
In 2003, the TV network VH1 named My Aim Is True the 80th greatest album of all time.
Track listing
- "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"
NOTE: "Watching the Detectives" was not on the original release of this album, but rather was issued as a single in October 1977.
Personnel
- Elvis Costello - vocals, guitar; piano and drumsticks on "Mystery Dance"
- Nick Lowe - producer, backing vocals; piano, drumsticks and bass on "Mystery Dance"
- Bazza - engineer
- John McFee - guitar, pedal steel
- Sean Hopper - piano, organ, backing vocals
- Stan Shaw - organ on "Less Than Zero"
- Johnny Ciambotti - bass, backing vocals
- Mickey Shine - drums
- Andrew Bodinar - bass on "Watching the Detectives"
- Steve Goulding - drums on "Watching the Detectives"
- Steve Nieve - organ and piano overdubs on "Watching the Detectives"