Less Than Zero: Difference between revisions

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__notoc__
{{song header}}
{{TOC for Song Page|}}
{| width="100%" cellspacing="3"
|- valign="top"
|width="50%" class="MainPageBG" style="border: 1px solid #c6c9ff; padding: .5em 1em 1em; color: #000000; background-color: #f2f7ff"|
==Lyrics==
{{Less Than Zero}}


{{song lyrics
|lyrics = {{Less Than Zero}}


}}


|width="50%" class="MainPageBG" style="border:1px solid #c6c9ff; padding: .5em 1em 1em; color: #000; background-color: #f0f0ff"|
{{song credits header}}
==Credits==
* Written by: '''[[Elvis Costello]]'''
* Produced by: '''[[Nick Lowe]]'''
* Musicians:
:'''[[Elvis Costello]]''' - [[Singers|vocals]], [[Guitarists|guitar]]
:'''[[The Shamrocks]] (a.k.a. [[Clover]])''':
::'''[[John McFee]]''' - [[Guitarists|guitar]], [[Guitarists|pedal steel]]
::'''[[Sean Hopper]]''' - [[Keyboardists|piano]], [[Keyboardists|organ]], [[Singers|backing vocals]]
::'''[[Stan Shaw]]''' - [[Keyboardists|organ]]
::'''[[Johnny Ciambotti]]''' - [[Bassists|bass]], [[Singers|backing vocals]]
::'''[[Mickey Shine]]''' - [[Drummers|drums]]
:'''[[Nick Lowe]]''' - [[Singers|backing vocals]]


{{song credits
|title = Less Than Zero
|writer = [[Elvis Costello]]
|performer = [[Elvis Costello]]
|producer = [[Nick Lowe]]
|musicians = [[Elvis Costello]] - vocals, guitar<br>[[John McFee]] - guitar<br>[[Sean Hopper]] - keyboards<br>[[Johnny Ciambotti]] - bass<br>[[Mickey Shine]] - drums<br>[[Stan Shaw]] - organ
|record_info = late 1976-early 1977, Pathway Studios, London
|release_info = March 25, 1977
|albums = [[My Aim Is True]], 1977<br>[[Viva England]], 1982 (Spain)
|singles = [[Single: Less Than Zero|Less Than Zero]], 1977<br>[[Single: Alison|Alison]], 1978 (Germany)<br>[[Single: Less Than Zero|Less Than Zero]], 1985 (12" single)
|collections = [[Stiff Box Set No. 2]], 1981<br>[[Girls Girls Girls]], 1989 (CD only)<br>[[2½ Years]], 1993<br>[[Singles, Volume 1]], 2003
|soundtracks =
|various_artists = [[A Bunch Of Stiff Records]], 1977<br>[[Heroes & Cowards]], 1978<br>[[The Stiff Records Box Set]], 1992<br>[[Unusual Sounds For Levi's® Selected By Tahiti 80]], 2005<br>[[The Big Stiff Box Set]], 2007<br>[[Born Stiff]], 2010
|promos = [[4 Track Sampler From My Aim Is True]], 1977<br>[[Our Aim Is True]], 1978
|videos =
|length =
|note = The original [[Single: Less Than Zero|Less Than Zero]] single (with "LYN-7473" etched in the runoff groove) and [[A Bunch Of Stiff Records]] have an alternate mix with a more prominent organ part.
}}<br>


==Discography==
{{song notes
'''Albums:'''
|first = [[Concert 1977-07-21 Manchester|July 21, 1977, Manchester, England]]
*'''[[My Aim Is True]]''', [[1977]]
|last = {{2024}}
* [[Viva England]], [[1982]]
}}{{song quote
* [[My Aim Is True (reissue)]], [[Rykodisc]]/[[Demon]], [[1993]]
| quote =
* [[My Aim Is True (Deluxe Edition)]], [[Rhino]], [[2001]]
| source =
* ''This section may be incomplete.''
}}


'''Singles:'''
==Alternate versions==
* [[Single: Less Than Zero|Less Than Zero]], [[1977]] (slightly different mix than album version)
{{song credits
* [[Single: Alison|Alison]], [[1978]] (Germany/Holland)
|title = Less Than Zero (Live 1977)
* [[Single: Less Than Zero|Less Than Zero]], [[1985]] (12" single)
|performer = [[Elvis Costello]] & [[The Attractions]]
|musicians = [[Elvis Costello]] - vocal, guitar<br>[[Steve Nieve]] - keyboards<br>[[Bruce Thomas]] - bass<br>[[Pete Thomas]] - drums
|record_info = [[Concert 1977-08-07 London|August 7, 1977, London, England]]
|release_info = September 11, 2007
|albums = [[My Aim Is True (2007 Hip-O deluxe edition)|My Aim Is True: Deluxe Edition]], 2007
|length = 3:27
}}<br>


'''Collections:'''
{{song credits
* [[Girls Girls Girls]], [[1989]] (CD version only)
|title = Less Than Zero / [[Radio, Radio]] (Live 1977)
* [[2½ Years]], [[1993]]
|performer = [[Elvis Costello]] & [[The Attractions]]
* [[Singles, Vol. 1]], [[2003]]
|musicians = [[Elvis Costello]] - vocal, guitar<br>[[Steve Nieve]] - keyboards<br>[[Bruce Thomas]] - bass<br>[[Pete Thomas]] - drums
* ''This section may be incomplete.''
|record_info = [[TV 1977-12-17 Saturday Night Live|December 17, 1977, Saturday Night Live]]
|release_info = September 21, 1999
|various_artists = [[Saturday Night Live: The Musical Performances Volume 1]], 1999
|videos = [[Saturday Night Live: 25 Years Of Music]], 2003<br>[[Saturday Night Live: The Complete Third Season]], 2008
|length = 3:05
}}<br>


'''Alternate Versions:'''
''see also: [[Less Than Zero (Dallas Version)]]''<br>
* '''Less Than Zero (organ mix)'''
: [[A Bunch Of Stiff Records]], [[1977]]
* '''Less Than Zero (Dallas Version)'''
: ''see [[Less Than Zero (Dallas Version)]] for more info''
* '''Less Than Zero/Radio, Radio (Saturday Night Live, New York 1977-12-17)'''
: [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00001QGNN/ SNL25: The Musical Performances Volume 1], [[1999]]


'''Soundtracks:'''
{{thumbs header}}
* none
{{thumb: Single: Less Than Zero}}
 
----
'''Various Artists collections:'''
<imagemap>
* Heroes And Cowards, [[1978]]  (Italy)
Image:A Bunch Of Stiff Records album cover.jpg|99px|center
* [[The Stiff Records Box Set]], [[1992]]
rect 0 0 300 300 [[A Bunch Of Stiff Records]]
 
desc none
==Covers==
</imagemap>
'''Recorded by:'''
----
* none
{{thumb: My Aim Is True}}
* ''This section may be incomplete.''
----
 
{{thumb: Single: Alison (Germany)}}
'''Performed by:'''
----
* [[Sam Baylor]] with the [http://www.billlloydmusic.com/long_players.html Long Players] at [http://www.billlloydmusic.com/ My Aim Is True tribute show], Nashville, 2006-01-13
{{thumb: Single: Less Than Zero (12")}}
* ''This section may be incomplete.''
----
 
{{thumb: Girls Girls Girls}}
==Bootlegs==
----
* ''This section is incomplete.''
{{thumb: 2½ Years}}
----
{{thumb: Saturday Night Live: The Musical Performances Volume 1}}
----
{{thumb: Singles, Volume 1}}
|}


|}
{{song covers
|covers = {{:Less Than Zero covers}}
}}


==Chords==
==Chords==
tabbed by phillip@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (Phillip Charles Saunders)
Tabbed by Phillip Charles Saunders
    
    
  |F Bb C|  F C|F Bb C|  F C|
  |F Bb C|  F C|F Bb C|  F C|
Line 103: Line 118:
  C  F Bb    F  C
  C  F Bb    F  C
  Hey,  ooh hey.
  Hey,  ooh hey.


==Internal links==  
==Internal links==  
*[http://www.elviscostello.info/disc/official/mait/mait.htm Elvis Costello Home Page: My Aim Is True] | [http://www.elviscostello.info/lyrics/mait.html lyrics] | [http://www.elviscostello.info/guitar/mait.html chords] | [http://www.elviscostello.info/disc/official/mait/mait_info_a01.htm MAIT info page] | [http://www.elviscostello.info/disc/official/mait/mait_info_a02.htm Viva England info page] | [http://www.elviscostello.info/disc/official/mait/mait_info_a03.htm Rykodisc/Demon MAIT reissue info page] | [http://www.elviscostello.info/disc/official/mait/mait_info_a04.htm Rhino MAIT reissue info page]
*[http://www.elviscostello.info/disc/official/mait/mait.htm Elvis Costello Home Page: My Aim Is True] {{-}} [http://www.elviscostello.info/lyrics/mait.html lyrics] {{-}} [http://www.elviscostello.info/guitar/mait.html chords] {{-}} [http://www.elviscostello.info/disc/official/mait/mait_info_a01.htm MAIT info page] {{-}} [http://www.elviscostello.info/disc/official/mait/mait_info_a02.htm Viva England] {{-}} [http://www.elviscostello.info/disc/official/mait/mait_info_a03.htm Rykodisc/Demon MAIT reissue] {{-}} [http://www.elviscostello.info/disc/official/mait/mait_info_a04.htm Rhino/Edsel MAIT reissue]
*[http://www.elviscostello.info/disc/official/mait/mait_info_s01.htm Elvis Costello Home Page: Less Than Zero single info page] | [http://www.elviscostello.info/disc/official/mait/mait_info_s14.htm Alison German single info page]
*[http://www.elviscostello.info/disc/official/mait/mait_info_s01.htm Elvis Costello Home Page: Less Than Zero single] {{-}} [http://www.elviscostello.info/disc/official/mait/mait_info_s14.htm Alison German single]
*[[Template:Less Than Zero]]
*[[Template: Less Than Zero|Lyrics]] {{-}} [[Less Than Zero (français)|Lyrics (français)]] {{-}} [[Less Than Zero covers|Covers]]


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.geocities.com/ned3705/rhino.html Elvis Costello on Rhino] [http://www.geocities.com/ned3705/mait.html My Aim Is True reissue page]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Less_Than_Zero_(song) Wikipedia]
 
*[http://www.inanotherroom.com/mait.php Elvis Costello Reissues: My Aim Is True]
<!--
outdated / non-working clivejames.com link
'''Song inspiration
[http://www.clivejames.com/node/428 David Pryce-Jones,Tonight (BBCtv1), face-to-face with Sir Oswald Mosley, Nov. 1976] -->


[[Category:1977]]
[[Category:1977]]
[[Category:My Aim Is True]]
[[Category:Songs]]
[[Category:Songs]]
[[Category:Lyrics]]
[[Category:Lyrics]]
[[Category:Chords]]
[[Category:Chords]]
[[Category:Alternate versions]]

Latest revision as of 03:10, 13 January 2024

Calling Mister Oswald with the swastika tattoo,
There is a vacancy waiting in the English voodoo,
Carving V for vandal on the guilty boy's head.
When he's had enough of that maybe you'll take him to bed
To teach him he's alive before he wishes he was dead.

Chorus
 Turn up the TV. No one listening will suspect,
Even your mother won't detect it,
So your father won't know.
They think that I've got no respect
But everything means less than zero.
Hey, ooh hey, hey, ooh hey.

Oswald and his sister are doing it again.
They've got the finest home movies that you have ever seen.
They've got a thousand variations: every service with a smile.
They're gonna take a little break, and they'll be back after a while.
Well I hear that South America is coming into style.

Chorus
A pistol was still smoking, a man lay on the floor.
Mister Oswald said he had an understanding with the law.
He said he heard about a couple living in the USA.
He said they traded in their baby for a Chevrolet.
Let's talk about the future now we've put the past away.

Chorus

Less Than Zero
Written byElvis Costello
Performed byElvis Costello
Produced byNick Lowe
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocals, guitar
John McFee - guitar
Sean Hopper - keyboards
Johnny Ciambotti - bass
Mickey Shine - drums
Stan Shaw - organ
Recordedlate 1976-early 1977, Pathway Studios, London
ReleasedMarch 25, 1977
AlbumsMy Aim Is True, 1977
Viva England, 1982 (Spain)
SinglesLess Than Zero, 1977
Alison, 1978 (Germany)
Less Than Zero, 1985 (12" single)
CollectionsStiff Box Set No. 2, 1981
Girls Girls Girls, 1989 (CD only)
2½ Years, 1993
Singles, Volume 1, 2003
Various Artists collectionsA Bunch Of Stiff Records, 1977
Heroes & Cowards, 1978
The Stiff Records Box Set, 1992
Unusual Sounds For Levi's® Selected By Tahiti 80, 2005
The Big Stiff Box Set, 2007
Born Stiff, 2010
Promos4 Track Sampler From My Aim Is True, 1977
Our Aim Is True, 1978
NoteThe original Less Than Zero single (with "LYN-7473" etched in the runoff groove) and A Bunch Of Stiff Records have an alternate mix with a more prominent organ part.

First known performance:
 July 21, 1977, Manchester, England
Last known performance:
 2024
     (290 known performances, 1 as a snippet)


Alternate versions

Less Than Zero (Live 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
Length3:27

Less Than Zero / Radio, Radio (Live 1977)
Performed byElvis Costello & The Attractions
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocal, guitar
Steve Nieve - keyboards
Bruce Thomas - bass
Pete Thomas - drums
RecordedDecember 17, 1977, Saturday Night Live
ReleasedSeptember 21, 1999
Various Artists collectionsSaturday Night Live: The Musical Performances Volume 1, 1999
VideosSaturday Night Live: 25 Years Of Music, 2003
Saturday Night Live: The Complete Third Season, 2008
Length3:05

see also: Less Than Zero (Dallas Version)
Single: Less Than ZeroLess Than Zero UK 7" single front sleeve.jpg
A Bunch Of Stiff RecordsA Bunch Of Stiff Records album cover.jpg
My Aim Is TrueMAIT UK initial album cover large.jpg
Single: AlisonAlison Germany 7" single front sleeve.jpg
Single: Less Than ZeroLTZ Stiff 12inch.jpg
Girls Girls GirlsGGG album cover 300.jpg
2½ Years2½ Years album cover.jpg
Saturday Night Live: The Musical Performances Volume 1Saturday Night Live The Musical Performances Volume 1 album cover.jpg
Singles, Volume 1Singles Volume 1 album cover.jpg

Covers

Sam Baylor, with the Long Players performed live, 2006-01-13, My Aim Is True tribute show, Nashville 2006 Long Players  •  My Aim Is True tribute show
Skip Castro Band performed live, 1980, Charlottesville, Virginia 1980 digdc.dclibrary.org
Cool Frog Si No Es Stiff... No Merece Un Tributo 2009 info
Sam Gleason Sam Gleason  (EP) 2013 iTunes  •  YouTube
Charles Jenkins performed live, 2013-02-02, Pure Pop Records, Melbourne, Australia 2013 YouTube  •  Charlesjenkins.com.au
Milton & The Devils Party Best World Going 2002 Amazon  •  info
Oliver's Army (Dallas) performed live, Dallas-area Costello tribute band 2003 OliversArmyBand
Radio Costello performed live, 2024-04-05, The Forum, Tunbridge Wells, England 2024 FaceBook
Erich Sellheim home studio production, sung in German 2013 YouTube
Tet Offensive performed live, 2003-06-, CBGB's Gallery, New York 2003 YouTube
Tet Offensive performed live, 2009-09-11, Sidewalk Cafe, New York 2009 YouTube
Tet Offensive performed live, 2010-11-10, Cafe Nine, New Haven, Connecticut 2010 YouTube
Bob Walkenhorst performed live, 2012-02-29, Kansas City, Missouri 2012 archive.org

Chords

Tabbed by Phillip Charles Saunders
 
|F Bb C|  F C|F Bb C|  F C|
 
F              Bb              C            F
Calling Mister Oswald with the swastika tattoo,
      C     F        Bb           C           F
There is a vacancy waiting in the English voodoo,
C      Bb                      Gm
Carving "V" for vandal on the guilty boy's head.
          Bb                               Gm
When he's had enough of that, maybe you'll take him to bed
    C              Dm/F    C                    Dm/F C
To teach him he's alive before he wishes he was dead.
 
|C   FC|  -  |
 
 
Bb                       F
Turn up the T.V. No one list'ning will suspect.
           Bb                              F
Even your mother won't detect it, so your father won't know.
Bb                      F
They think that I've got no respect,
   Ebm                F
But ev'rything means less than zero.
     Bb    F  C  F
Hey,  ooh hey,
C  F Bb    F  C
Hey,  ooh hey.

Internal links

External links

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