Elvis Costello’s Debut Album Released July 22, 1977

It was a pivotal year for music. Punk was just beginning to be noticed in small clubs in Los Angeles, New York, and London.

For the rest of the world, Disco was reigning supreme on the pop charts, and progressive rock acts such as Styx, Boston, Kansas, Pink Floyd, Queen et al held court among the Album Oriented Rock radio stations. Many of these acts had some meteoric crossovers into the pop charts as well.

Silk, skin tight satin ensembles, feathered hair, and an air of androgyny permeated nearly every music act that came out of the mid 70s…and that was just the male groups!

The Winds Of Musical Change In ’77

While punk (And its evolutionary offspring, New Wave) ultimately gained ground later in the decade, it was still relatively unknown or worse, made fun of, in early 1977. However, there were signs of change as some artists emerged with a new sound that caught the attention of critics and fans everywhere.

Enter Declan McManus AKA D.P. Costello AKA Elvis Costello

Yours truly recalls seeing My Aim Is True in the music department at a Gemco store later that year. As a 12 year old, I was taken aback by what appeared to be a comedy album mistakenly mixed in with the “new releases.” I mean, here was a strange looking guy with relatively short hair (According to rock n roll standards of the day) wearing a suit, posing knock-kneed with a guitar and the name Elvis. The checkered album cover had the phrase “Elvis is King” printed in the offset squares. Obviously this dude must be some sort of funnyman, right? I mean after all, Steve Martin was soaring in the comedy realm while wearing a white suit and playing a banjo. Maybe this “Elvis” dude is trying to cash in?

WRONG!

It was a few months later when I first heard “Watching The Detectives” on one of the LA album oriented rock (AOR) stations. I can’t remember whether it was KMET or KLOS. I was blown away, and didn’t even know what I was listening to! At that point, I had never heard of reggae, and aside from catching The Ramones by accident on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert earlier that year, I really had no exposure to the new genres of Punk or New Wave.

But I was hooked!

What About My Aim Is True?

I’ll leave you to read about the rise of Elvis Costello by clicking here at your convenience. But recording the album began in earnest in late 1976 after Costello signed with Stiff Records, with Nick Lowe producing. The backing group, Clover, did not receive any album credit due to contractual issues at the time (Damn lawyers!). TRIVIA: Huey Lewis of Huey Lewis & The News fame was a member of Clover at the time, but did not participate in any of the recording sessions for My Aim Is True.

Released WITHOUT ITS MOST FAMOUS SONG

On July 22, 1977, My Aim Is True was released in the United Kingdom, preceded by three singles that failed to make a dent in the charts. When you think about it, “Less Than Zero,” “Welcome To The Working Week,” and “Alison” aren’t really known as hit makers (Although “Alison” is a beautiful romantically tragic ballad). The original track listing included everything except “Watching The Detectives.” Why?

While Clover was a perfectly fine band to record with, they were known more for their laid back country-pop sound. Costello wanted a band that would fit his recently made over New Wave image (Despite my prepubescent self thinking he was a comic). With that, “Watching The Detectives” was recorded in June. Two members of The Rumour, backed him up on bass and drums, as well a 19 year old keyboard impresario named Steve Nason, soon to be known as Steve Nieve. Ultimately, Pete Thomas (Bass) and Bruce Thomas (Drums), along with Nieve on keys rounded out Costello’s touring band The Attractions. Alas, a New Wave Superband was born!

Crawling To The USA

My Aim Is True was released in the United States on November 1, 1977 with “Watching The Detectives” added as the last track on side 2. There is a notable difference between that and the rest of the songs that Costello originally recorded with Clover, but his clever lyrics, streamlined rhythm (Compared to the atrociously over produced Prog Rock of the era), and uniquely driving vocals gave the album a solid sound that still stands up even today. The album ultimately charted at 32 on the Billboard Top Records charts.