The Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions

The Best of Elvis Costello and The Attractions
Greatest hits album by Elvis Costello and The Attractions
Released	1985
Recorded	1977–1984
Genre	New wave, punk rock, power pop
Length	53:07 (LP and cassette) 64:25 (CD)
Label	Columbia
Producer	Nick Lowe, Geoff Emerick, Roger Bechirian, Clive Langer, Alan Winstanley
Elvis Costello and The Attractions chronology
Goodbye Cruel World (1984) The Best of Elvis Costello and The Attractions (1985) King of America (1986)

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The Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions is a 1985 compilation album, the first of what would be many compilation albums for Costello.

Track listing

All songs written by Elvis Costello except as indicated.

LP and cassette

Side one

1. "Alison" (from My Aim Is True, 1977) – 3:22
2. "Watching the Detectives" (from single, 1978) – 3:41
3. "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?" (Nick Lowe) (from single, 1979) – 3:31
4. "Oliver's Army" (from Armed Forces, 1979) – 2:58
5. "Pump It Up" (from This Year's Model, 1978) – 3:17
6. "Accidents Will Happen" (from Armed Forces, 1979) – 3:00
7. "Radio, Radio" (from single, 1978) – 3:06
8. "I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down" (Homer Banks, Allen Jones) (from Get Happy!!, 1980) – 2:06

Side two

1. "Almost Blue" (from Imperial Bedroom, 1982) – 2:47
2. "Beyond Belief" (from Imperial Bedroom, 1982) – 2:32
3. "Clubland" (from Trust, 1981) – 3:41
4. "Watch Your Step" (from Trust, 1981) – 2:58
5. "Shipbuilding" (from Punch the Clock, 1983) – 4:49
6. "I Wanna Be Loved" (Farnell Jenkins) (from Goodbye Cruel World, 1984) – 3:50
7. "Everyday I Write the Book" (from Punch the Clock, 1983) – 3:47
8. "The Only Flame in Town" (from Goodbye Cruel World, 1984) – 3:32

Compact disc

1. "Alison" – 3:22
2. "Watching the Detectives" – 3:41
3. "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?" (Lowe) – 3:31
4. "Oliver's Army" – 2:58
5. "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" (from My Aim Is True, 1977) – 2:45
6. "Pump It Up" – 3:17
7. "Accidents Will Happen" – 3:00
8. "Radio, Radio" – 3:06
9. "I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down" – 2:06
10. "A Good Year for the Roses" (Jerry Chesnut) (from Almost Blue, 1981) – 3:07
11. "Almost Blue" – 2:47
12. "Beyond Belief" – 2:32
13. "Clubland" – 3:41
14. "Watch Your Step" – 2:58
15. "Man Out of Time" (from Imperial Bedroom, 1982) – 5:28
16. "Shipbuilding" – 4:49
17. "I Wanna Be Loved" – 3:50
18. "Everyday I Write the Book" – 3:47
19. "The Only Flame in Town" – 3:32

Personnel

1. Elvis Costello – vocals, guitar
2. Steve Nieve – keyboards
3. Bruce Thomas – bass
4. Pete Thomas – drums, percussion

Additional personnel

1. Caron Wheeler – vocals
2. Claudia Fontaine – vocals
3. Clover – various instruments
4. Chet Baker – trumpet
5. Andrew Bodnar – bass
6. Steve Goulding – drums
7. Darryl Hall – vocals
8. Green Gartside – vocals

Charts

Album

Year	Chart	Position
1985	The Billboard 200	122
1986	The Billboard 200	116

Certifications

Organization	Level	Date
RIAA – USA	Gold	10 November 1989