Radio Sweetheart

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My head is spinning and my legs are weak
Goose step dancing, can't hear myself speak
Hope in the eyes of the ugly girls
That settle for the lies of the last chancers
When slow motion drunks pick wallflower dancers

You come here looking for the ride to glory
Go back home with a hard luck story
I can hardly wait around until the weekend comes to town

Play one more for my radio sweetheart
Hide your love, hide your love
Though we are so far apart
You've got to hide your love
'Cause that's the way the whole thing started
I wish we had never parted

When it's late and the night gets colder
Don't lay your head on any other shoulder
Some hire themselves out for a good time
But you and I, we have been sold
So I keep on saying...

Play one more for my radio sweetheart
Hide your love, hide your love
Though we are so far apart
You've got to hide your love
'Cause that's the way the whole thing started
I wish we had never parted

Play one more for my radio sweetheart

Radio Sweetheart
Written byElvis Costello
Performed byElvis Costello
Produced byNick Lowe
MusiciansElvis Costello - lead & backing vocals, guitar
John McFee - pedal steel guitar
Nick Lowe - bass, backing vocals
Mickey Shine - drums
RecordedSeptember 17, 1976, Pathway Studios, London
ReleasedMarch 25, 1977
AlbumsMy Aim Is True (Rykodisc/Demon reissue), 1993 (remix)
My Aim Is True (Rhino/Edsel reissue), 2001
My Aim Is True: Deluxe Edition, 2007
SinglesLess Than Zero, 1977
Getting Mighty Crowded, 1980 (US/Canada)
Less Than Zero, 1985 (12" single)
CollectionsTaking Liberties, 1980 (remix)
Ten Bloody Marys & Ten How's Your Fathers, 1980 (remix)
Stiff Box Set No. 2, 1981
2½ Years, 1993 (remix)
Singles, Volume 1, 2003
Various Artists collectionsHits Greatest Stiffs, 1977
PromosTaking Liberties (4 track promo), 1980 (remix)
Length2:31
NoteThis song was remixed prior to its appearance on Taking Liberties and Ten Bloody Marys & Ten How's Your Fathers in 1980. The remix was the common version until the original mix was reissued on My Aim Is True (Rhino/Edsel reissue) in 2001.

First known performance:
July 21, 1977, Manchester, England
Last known performance:
February 9, 2023, New York, NY
     (329 known performances)



Alternate versions

Radio Sweetheart (Soundcheck 1977)
Performed byElvis Costello & The Attractions
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocal, guitar
Steve Nieve - keyboards
Bruce Thomas - bass
Pete Thomas - drums
RecordedAugust 7, 1977, London, England
ReleasedSeptember 11, 2007
AlbumsMy Aim Is True: Deluxe Edition, 2007
Length2:56

Radio Sweetheart (Live 1979)
Performed byElvis Costello & The Attractions
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocal, guitar
Steve Nieve - keyboards
Bruce Thomas - bass
Pete Thomas - drums
John McFee - guitar
RecordedFebruary 16, 1979, Los Angeles, CA
ReleasedJuly 26, 2004
AlbumsAlmost Blue (Rhino/Edsel reissue), 2004
Length3:15
Single: Less Than ZeroLess Than Zero UK 7" single front sleeve.jpg

Hits Greatest StiffsHits Greatest Stiffs album cover.jpg

Taking LibertiesTL album cover 200.jpg

Ten Bloody Marys & Ten How's Your Fathers10BM album cover 280.jpg

Single: Less Than ZeroLTZ Stiff 12inch.jpg

My Aim Is TrueMAIT UK initial album cover large.jpg

2½ Years2½ Years album cover.jpg

Singles, Volume 1Singles Volume 1 album cover.jpg

Almost BlueAB album cover large.jpg

Covers

Jason Berk Live At High St. Station 2011 Bandcamp.com
Carlene Carter Two Sides To Every Woman 1979 AllMusicAmazon
Elastic No-No Band Every Elvis Has His Army: ENB Does EC 2005 website with download
Daniel Field The Soul Of My Shoes 2001 Bandcamp.com
Four Shadow Should've Known ? Amazoninfo
Guana Batz Loan Sharks 1986 AllMusicAmazon
Guana Batz Best Of The Batz 1988 Discogs
Guana Batz Undercover 1999 AllMusicAmazon
Guana Batz performed live, Bedlam, Northampton, England 2012 YouTube
Hot Wire Tribute 2010 Amazon
The Scatsville Busters Scatsville Or Bust 2011 Amazon
Erich Sellheim home studio production, sung in German 2013 YouTube
The Terhune Brothers The Loser's Lounge Tribute to Elvis Costello 2002 LosersLounge
Whiskey Lash All-Stars performed live, Crystal Corner Bar, Madison, WI 2003 info needed

Internal links

External links