Elvis Costello “Alison” released

Alison Elvis Costello

Writer(s): Elvis Costello (see lyrics here) Released: May 21, 1977 First Charted: March 11, 1978 Peak: 61 CB, 3 CL, 2 CO, 1 DF (Click for codes to singles charts.) Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 6.65 video, 36.19 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: Elvis Costello was born Declan Patrick MacManus on August 25, 1954 in London, England. The singer/songwriter has been celebrated as an icon in both the punk rock and new wave arenas since his first release, 1977’s My Aim Is True. The album hit #14 in the UK and reached #32 in the United States, where it went platinum. “Alison” was the second single released from the album after “Less Than Zero” in March 1977. While it didn’t chart, it has become one of his best-known songs and has been celebrated “as evidence that Costello was a real songwriter, and not just another mangy punk. AMG The song is about “a man betrayed by the woman he loves…still hopelessly in love…as he watches her throw away her affection on a man he knows will let her down.” AMG The Telegraph called it “a wonderful song about unrequited love,” WK although the sexually-frustrated protanginist’s “barely suppressed fury” AMG and statement that “my aim is true” suggests he wants to kill her. SF Costello has said little about the origin of the song. He claims it is about disappointing somebody. WK In his 2015 autobiography Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink, he said he wrote it “after seeing a beautiful checkout girl at the local supermarket…She was punching in the prices on cans of beans at a cash register and looking as if all the hopes and dreams of her youth were draining away.” WK Linda Ronstadt covered the song on her 1978 album Living in the USA and it was released as a single, reaching #30 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart. Her version recast the song as “a woman talking to her best friend” AMG instead of “a man’s message to a former lover.” AMG Resources: AMG All Music Guide review by Mark Deming SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 10/1/2022.