Goodbye Cruel World (album)
Encyclopedia
Goodbye Cruel World was Elvis Costello's
ninth album overall and eighth with backing band The Attractions. It was released in 1984 by F-Beat Records
in the UK and Columbia
in the US.
The album's production (by Clive Langer
and Alan Winstanley
, who also produced the previous Punch the Clock
), was not in line with Costello's other works, relying heavily on electronics and an overall slick, trendy feel. Thus, the record is not regarded among his better works; Costello's liner notes to the 1995 reissue on Rykodisc
open with the statement, "Congratulations! You just bought the worst album of my career."
"I Wanna Be Loved" is a cover of a Hi Records
single by Teacher's Edition and features backing vocals by Green Gartside
of Scritti Politti
. "The Only Flame in Town" features vocals by Daryl Hall
.
The album credits keyboardist Steve Nieve
providing "random racket" under the name, "Maurice Worm."
The graphic novel
Watchmen
quotes from the chorus of the song "The Comedians" at the end of chapter two: And I'm up while the dawn is breaking, even though my heart is aching. I should be drinking a toast to absent friends instead of these comedians.
Note: The Rykodisc version has the original tracks and bonus tracks on one CD. The Rhino version has two CDs with the original tracks on the first CD.
Single
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
ninth album overall and eighth with backing band The Attractions. It was released in 1984 by F-Beat Records
F-Beat Records
F-Beat Records was one of the record labels set up by Jake Riviera in late 1979/early 1980, at the same time as he started Demon Records. The label's first release, I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down by Elvis Costello & the Attractions, reached number 4 in the UK charts, the highest singles chart...
in the UK and Columbia
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
in the US.
The album's production (by Clive Langer
Clive Langer
Clive Langer is a British record producer active from the mid 1970s onwards. He usually works with Alan Winstanley. He composed the music for the films Still Crazy and Brothers of the Head. Prior to his record producing career he was a guitarist with the British cult band Deaf SchoolLanger...
and Alan Winstanley
Alan Winstanley
Alan Kenneth Winstanley is a British record producer active from the mid-1970s onwards. He usually works with Clive Langer.-Notable studio albums produced by Alan Winstanley and Clive Langer:* One Step Beyond... – Madness...
, who also produced the previous Punch the Clock
Punch the Clock
Punch the Clock is an album released in 1983 by Elvis Costello and the Attractions. It was Costello's eighth album, his seventh with the Attractions since 1978. The album featured Costello's first U.S...
), was not in line with Costello's other works, relying heavily on electronics and an overall slick, trendy feel. Thus, the record is not regarded among his better works; Costello's liner notes to the 1995 reissue on Rykodisc
Rykodisc
Rykodisc Records is an American record label. It is owned by Warner Music Group, operates as a unit of WMG's Independent Label Group and is distributed through Alternative Distribution Alliance.-Company history:...
open with the statement, "Congratulations! You just bought the worst album of my career."
"I Wanna Be Loved" is a cover of a Hi Records
Hi Records
Hi Records was a Memphis soul and rockabilly label started in 1957 by singer Ray Harris, record store owner Joe Cuoghi, Bill Cantrell and Quinton Claunch , and three silent partners, including Cuoghi's lawyer, Nick Pesce....
single by Teacher's Edition and features backing vocals by Green Gartside
Green Gartside
Green Gartside , is a British musician, and the frontman of the band Scritti Politti....
of Scritti Politti
Scritti Politti
Scritti Politti are a British band, originally formed in 1977 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England. Although there have been various changes to the line-up, Cardiff-born singer-songwriter Green Gartside was the founding member of the band and the only member to have remained throughout the group's...
. "The Only Flame in Town" features vocals by Daryl Hall
Daryl Hall
Daryl Hall is an American rock, R&B and soul singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter and producer, best known as the co-founder and lead vocalist of Hall & Oates . Hall scored several Billboard chart hits in the 1970s and early 1980s, and is regarded as one of the best blue eyed soul singers...
.
The album credits keyboardist Steve Nieve
Steve Nieve
Steve Nieve is an English keyboardist, best known for his work with Elvis Costello and the Attractions and Elvis Costello and the Imposters.-Musical career:...
providing "random racket" under the name, "Maurice Worm."
The graphic novel
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
Watchmen
Watchmen
Watchmen is a twelve-issue comic book limited series created by writer Alan Moore, artist Dave Gibbons, and colourist John Higgins. The series was published by DC Comics during 1986 and 1987, and has been subsequently reprinted in collected form...
quotes from the chorus of the song "The Comedians" at the end of chapter two: And I'm up while the dawn is breaking, even though my heart is aching. I should be drinking a toast to absent friends instead of these comedians.
Side one
- "The Only Flame in Town" – 4:01
- "Home Truth" – 3:12
- "Room with No Number" – 4:13
- "Inch By Inch" – 2:29
- "Worthless Thing" – 3:04
- "Love Field" – 3:26
Side two
- "I Wanna Be Loved" (Farnell Jenkins) – 4:47
- "The Comedians" – 2:36
- "Joe Porterhouse" – 3:29
- "Sour Milk-Cow Blues" – 2:50
- "The Great Unknown" (Costello, Clive LangerClive LangerClive Langer is a British record producer active from the mid 1970s onwards. He usually works with Alan Winstanley. He composed the music for the films Still Crazy and Brothers of the Head. Prior to his record producing career he was a guitarist with the British cult band Deaf SchoolLanger...
) – 3:00 - "The Deportees Club" – 2:54
- "Peace in Our Time" – 4:06
Bonus tracks (1995 Rykodisc)
- "Turning the Town Red" – 3:14
- "Baby It's YouBaby It's You"Baby It's You" is a song written by Burt Bacharach , and Luther Dixon and Mack David . It was recorded by The Shirelles and The Beatles, and became hits for both...
" (Burt BacharachBurt BacharachBurt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
, Hal DavidHal DavidHarold Lane "Hal" David is an American lyricist. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York. David is best known for his collaborations with composer Burt Bacharach.-Career:...
) – 3:11 - "Get Yourself Another Fool" (Ernest Forrest, Frank Heywood) – 4:01
- "I Hope You're Happy Now" – 2:51
- "The Only Flame in Town" (Live) – 4:16
- "Worthless Thing" (Live) – 3:11
- "Motel Matches" (Live) – 2:39
- "Sleepless Nights" (Live) (Felice Bryant, Boudleaux Bryant) – 2:39
- "Deportee" – 3:22
- "Withered and Died" (Richard Thompson) – 3:14
Note: The Rykodisc version has the original tracks and bonus tracks on one CD. The Rhino version has two CDs with the original tracks on the first CD.
Bonus disc (2004 Rhino)
- "The Only Flame in Town" (Alternate version) – 4:05
- "Young Boy Blues" (Doc PomusDoc PomusJerome Solon Felder, better known as Doc Pomus , was a twentieth-century American blues singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lyricist of many rock and roll hits. Pomus was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the category of non-performer in 1992. He was also inducted into...
, Phil SpectorPhil SpectorPhillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....
) – 3:27 - "Turning the Town Red" – 3:14
- "I Hope You're Happy Now" – 2:51
- "Tomorrow's (Just Another Day)Tomorrow's (Just Another Day)"Tomorrow's " is a song by British band Madness from their fourth album The Rise and Fall. It spent 9 weeks in the UK charts, peaking at # 8 in February 1983. It was released as a Double A-Side with the Chris Foreman composition, "Madness ".The single version is a slight remix of the album track...
" (Mike BarsonMike BarsonMichael "Mike" Barson is a British musician, best known as a founding member and keyboardist of the second wave ska band, Madness.-Biography:...
, Carl Smyth) – 2:54 - "Get Yourself Another Fool" (Forrest, Heywood) – 4:03
- "Baby It's You (Burt Bacharach, Hal David) - 3:11
- "I Wanna Be Loved" (Demo version) (Jenkins) – 3:22
- "The Great Unknown" (Demo version) (Costello, Langer) – 2:35
- "She Loves the Jerk" (Demo version) (John HiattJohn HiattJohn Hiatt is an American rock guitarist, pianist, singer, and songwriter. He has played a variety of musical styles on his albums, including New Wave, blues and country. Hiatt has been nominated for several Grammy Awards - although he has never won- and has been awarded a variety of other...
) – 3:10 - "Turning the Town Red" (Demo version) – 3:37
- "Peace in Our Time" (Demo version) – 3:30
- "Withered and Died" (Thompson) – 3:14
- "The Comedians" (Demo version) – 2:25
- "Inch By Inch" (Demo Version) - 2.11
- "Mystery Voice" (Demo version) – 2:23
- "Joe Porterhouse" (Demo version) – 3:19
- "The Town Where Time Stood Still" (Demo version) – 2:15
- "Blue Murder on Union Avenue" (Demo version) – 2:30
- "Home Truth" (Demo version) – 3:05
- "The Only Flame in Town" (Live) – 4:12
- "Worthless Thing" (Live) – 3:10
- "Sleepless Nights" (Live) (F. Bryant, B. Bryant) – 2:39
- "What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend" (Live) (Jerry DammersJerry DammersJeremy David Hounsell "Jerry" Dammers is a British musician who is a founder and keyboard player of the Coventry, England based ska revival band The Specials, The Special A.K.A...
) – 2:10 - "Motel Matches" (Live) – 2:39
- "Love Field" (Live) – 3:21
Personnel
- Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloElvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
– vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s - Steve NieveSteve NieveSteve Nieve is an English keyboardist, best known for his work with Elvis Costello and the Attractions and Elvis Costello and the Imposters.-Musical career:...
– keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Bruce ThomasBruce ThomasBruce Thomas is best known as bassist for The Attractions; the band formed in 1977 to back Elvis Costello in concert and on record....
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Pete ThomasPete ThomasPete Thomas is best known as the longtime drummer for Elvis Costello. Tom Waits has referred to him as "one of the best rock drummers alive".-Career:...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Gary BarnacleGary BarnacleGary Barnacle is a saxophonist/flautist, brass instrument arranger, composer and producer, primarily noted for session work, live work Gary Barnacle (born 1959, Dover, England) is a saxophonist/flautist, brass instrument arranger, composer and producer, primarily noted for session work, live work...
– saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
s - Jim Paterson – tromboneTromboneThe trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
- Luis JardimLuís JardimLuís Alberto Figueira Gonçalves Jardim is a Portuguese percussionist, born in the Madeira Island, best known for his work with producer Trevor Horn.-Family:Jardim is a cousin of Alberto João Jardim...
– percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration... - Daryl HallDaryl HallDaryl Hall is an American rock, R&B and soul singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter and producer, best known as the co-founder and lead vocalist of Hall & Oates . Hall scored several Billboard chart hits in the 1970s and early 1980s, and is regarded as one of the best blue eyed soul singers...
– vocals on "The Only Flame in Town" - Green GartsideGreen GartsideGreen Gartside , is a British musician, and the frontman of the band Scritti Politti....
– vocals on "I Wanna Be Loved"
Charts
Album| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | The Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... 200 |
35 |
Single
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | "The Only Flame in Town" | The Billboard Hot 100 | 56 |