Alison (song)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| “Alison” | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Elvis Costello from the album My Aim is True |
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| Released | 21 May 1977 | ||||
| Recorded | 1977 | ||||
| Genre | New Wave | ||||
| Length | 3:21 | ||||
| Label | Stiff Records | ||||
| Writer(s) | Declan Patrick MacManus | ||||
| Producer | Nick Lowe | ||||
| Elvis Costello singles chronology | |||||
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"Alison" is the fifth track on Elvis Costello's first album, My Aim Is True, released in 1977. Because "Alison" was recorded before Elvis Costello and the Attractions formed, his backing band was Clover, which included Huey Lewis, (although he was not present for the sessions) who went on to later fame with Huey Lewis and the News. Rolling Stone ranked it #318 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
There has been much debate as to the meaning of the song, a ballad with a gentle, mellow arrangement juxtaposed with dark and bitter lyrics delivered with unmistakable venom. Costello has divulged little on this subject other than to say that it is about "disappointing somebody"[1] and to deny suggestions that the lines "somebody better put out the big light" and "my aim is true" refer to murder. He has also declined to reveal who the song is about, writing in the liner notes for Girls Girls Girls, "Much could be undone by saying more."[2]
The chorus is based on "Ghetto Child" by The Detroit Spinners.[3]
"Alison" was released as a single in the United Kingdom with a B-side of "Welcome to the Working Week" and as two singles in the United States; one with a mono version of the same song on the B-side, the other with "Miracle Man".
On Costello's tour with The Police, Sting has joined in on the song at least once.
Linda Ronstadt recorded a version of "Alison" on her album Living In The USA, in 1978, which sold over 2 million copies. Everything but the Girl recorded an acoustic version on their Covers E.P., which was also included on their album Acoustic. The song also played a role in the movie Get Over It.
Brandon Boyd (the lead singer of Incubus) covered the song for GAP's Favorite Songs album (2005).
[edit] References
- ^ "Alison", 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, Rolling Stone, December 9, 2004.
- ^ (1988) Album notes for Girls Girls Girls by Elvis Costello [Inset]. USA: Columbia Records (C2K-46897).
- ^ (2001) Album notes for My Aim Is True by Elvis Costello [Inset]. USA: Rhino Entertainment (R2 74285).
