Classic & Current Contemporary Non-Schlock-Rock Metropolitan Music

Armed Forces (1979) - Elvis Costello and the Attractions

« Elvis Costello and the Attractions

Elvis Costello and the Attractions broke into local commercial radio in the North Carolina with this record. We played "Oliver's Army" on WKZL, which at time had something of a hybrid format of album cuts and hits.

I didn't think about this at the time but looking back I'm a bit surprised "Oliver's Army" was such a hit considering it had the line "one less white nigger."

My copy of Armed Forces has to be unfolded to get to the vinyl. It's a weird record cover. It also came with a 3-song 45-inch record that has live versions of "Alison," "Watching the Detectives," and "Accidents Will Happen."

-- 2005 (DDT)

Armed Forces Original Album Tracks

1. Accidents Will Happen
2. Senior Service
3. Oliver's Army
4. Big Boys
5. Green Shirt
6. Party Girl
7. Goon Squad
8. Busy Bodies
9. Sunday's Best
10. Moods for Moderns
11. Chemistry Class
12. Two Little Hitlers

More Elvis Costello and the Attractions at Deaconlight.com

• Elvis Costello - My Aim is True (1977)
  Album Notes
• Elvis Costello - Armed Forces (1979)
  Album Notes
• Elvis Costello - Get Happy!! (1980)
  Album Notes
• Elvis Costello - Trust (1981)
  Album Notes
• Elvis Costello and the Attractions - Punch the Clock (1983)
  Album Notes