Discography 1980

1977-1979  •  1980-1984  •  1985-1989  •  1990-1994  •  1995-1999  •  2000-2004  •  2005-2009  •  2010-2014  •  2015-2019  •  2020-2023  • New releases 1977  •  1978  •  1979  •  1980  •  1981  •  1982  •  1983  •  1984  •  1985  •  1986  •  1987  •  1988  •  1989  •  1990  •  1991  •  1992
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2008  •  2009  •  2010  •  2011  •  2012  •  2013  •  2014  •  2015  •  2016  •  2017  •  2018  •  2019  •  2020  •  2021  •  2022  •  2023

1980

D01

I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down single Elvis Costello & The Attractions I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down (Banks/Jones) (2:05) Girls Talk (1:56) [1980-01-18; 7"; 2 Tone chs TT 7] [1980-03-__; 7"; F-Beat XX1 (UK, ps)] [1980-03-__; 7"; Columbia 11194 (US/Canada)] [1980-__-__; 7"; F-Beat K 18171 (Italy, different ps)] [1980-__-__; 7"; WEA WEA18171 (Holland)] [1980-__-__; 7"; Smash Records TAR 11 (Sweden, ps)] [1980-__-__; 7"; F-Beat/Warner P-551X (Japan, ps)]

"Girls Talk" is from the Get Happy!! sessions. Produced by Nick Lowe. According to 'Record Collector' (#91): "This was the most sought-after collector's item of early 1980, which offended the law of gravity by gradually becoming more common instead of less. Costello had been signed to Radar in 1978, via a licensing deal from Riviera Global Productions. Radar collapsed towards the end of 1979, and so Elvis's manager Jake Riviera alighted upon the Specials' 2-Tone label as an ideal venue for a holding operation - a one-off single - until Elvis sorted out a deal for the Get Happy!! album. WEA, who had distributed Radar, were less than delighted: they felt they had a steak in Costello's career by virtue of the success of the records they had distributed for him, and so they obtained a court injunction to stop the 2-Tone single being sold. By March '80, the situation was clarified: F-Beat was set up by Riviera as an independent company, but WEA continued to distribute their records. In the meantime, there were several thousand 2-Tone singles to dispose of. These were handed out free to the audience at a London's Rainbow Theatre gig. Several months later, Riviera pressed up a few thousand more of the 2-Tone singles, and these were given away at London and US gigs. By this time, however, the single had been issued with the catalogue no. F-Beat XX-1. As this new number had replaced the 2-Tone number in the runoff grooves, the second batch of 2-Tone singles carried the F-Beat number, whereas the original copies had 'TT-7' as their matrix number. Copies from the first batch are now worth about twice as much ones from the second." According to Krista Reese's EC book the total number of 2-Tone singles pressed was 13,000, and the remaining copies were sold at NY Palladium 1981 concerts for $3.00 each. (It seems that some copies of the 2-Tone 'reissue' have 'CHS TT7' and 'XX1' in the runoff, and also 'CHS TT8' crossed out on both sides. Reached #4 in UK charts

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D02

I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down single Elvis Costello & The Attractions I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down (Banks/Jones) (2:05) I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down (Banks/Jones) (2:05) [1980-__-__; 7"; Columbia 1-11194 (US white label promo)]

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D03

I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down single Elvis Costello & The Attractions I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down (Banks/Jones) (2:05) Girls Talk (1:56) Secondary Modern (1:58) King Horse (2:57) [1980-__-__; 7"; Columbia 1-11251 (US, ps)] [1980-__-__; 7"; Columbia 1-11251 (US promo, different ps)]

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D04

Get Happy!! Elvis Costello & The Attractions Side 1: Love For Tender (1:58) Opportunity (3:10) The Imposter (1:56) Secondary Modern (1:58) King Horse (2:57) Possession (2:00) Men Called Uncle (2:17) - listed as "Man Called Uncle" Clowntime Is Over (2:58) New Amsterdam (2:10) High Fidelity (2:27) Side 2: I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down (Banks/Jones) (2:05) Black And White World (1:54) 5ive Gears In Reverse (2:30) B Movie (2:04) Motel Matches (2:24) Human Touch (2:28) Beaten To The Punch (1:47) Temptation (2:32) I Stand Accused (Colton/Smith) (2:19) Riot Act (3:36) (47:30) [1980-02-__; LP; F-Beat XXLP1 (UK)] [1980-02-__; LP; Columbia 36347 (US. Promo copies were also issued with with "For Promotion Only" stamped in gold on the cover)] [1980-__-__; LP; Columbia JC 36347 (Canada)] [1980-__-__; LP; Columbia JC 36347 (US, white label promo)] [1980-__-__; MC; Columbia JCT 36347 (US and Canada)] [1980-__-__; LP; Smash SLEPT 7 (Sweden)] [1980-__-__; LP; WEA 58.114 (Holland/Germany, incl. poster)] [1980-__-__; LP; WEA 58114/PROPPE 197 (German promo, white record label)] [19__-__-__; LP; Liberation Records LIB 5103 (Australia)] [19__-__-__; MC; Liberation Records TCLIB 5103 (Australia)] [19__-__-__; LP; F-Beat/Warner-Pioneer P-10804X (Japan)] [19__-__-__; 8T; Columbia JCA 36347 (USA)] [19__-__-__; MC; F-Beat M5 X1 (Australia)] [1984-04-06; LP; Demon IMP FIEND 24] [1984-04-06; MC; Demon IMP FIEND CASS 24] [1986-01-__; CD; Demon IMP FIEND CD 24]

Produced by Nick Lowe. "New Amsterdam" produced by EC. On the LP cover the track listings for sides 1 & 2 are swapped. Original LP copies included a poster of various 'Get ...' slogans, and had a black and white sticker saying "20 Great Hits". The cassette version came in a range of covers. UK copies of this album had a 'worn ring' on the cover. Reached #2 in UK charts, & #11 in the US. UK: Went gold (100,000 copies) (date unknown).

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D05

Get Happy!! (Promo Album) Elvis Costello & The Attractions Record 1 side 1: Love For Tender (1:58) Opportunity (3:10) The Imposter (1:56) Secondary Modern (1:58) King Horse (2:57) Record 1 side 2: Possession (2:00) Men Called Uncle (2:17) - listed as "Man Called Uncle" Clowntime Is Over (2:58) New Amsterdam (2:10) High Fidelity (2:27) Record 2 side 1: I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down (Banks/Jones) (2:05) Black And White World (1:54) 5ive Gears In Reverse (2:30) B Movie (2:04) Motel Matches (2:24) Record 2 side 2: Human Touch (2:28) Beaten To The Punch (1:47) Temptation (2:32) I Stand Accused (Colton/Smith) (2:19) Riot Act (3:36) [1980-03-__; 2x12"; F-Beat XX PROMO 1 (UK, promo. Cover consists of photo of contents pasted on white sleeves. Comes with poster & photo)]

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D06

High Fidelity single Elvis Costello & The Attractions High Fidelity (2:27) Getting Mighty Crowded (Van McCoy) (2:05) [1980-04-04; 7"; F-Beat XX3 (UK, ps. 2 different F-Beat label designs] [1980-__-__; 7"; F-Beat FB 18 213 N (Germany, ps)] [1980-__-__; 7"; F-Beat/Warner P-585X (Japan, ps)]

"Getting Mighty Crowded" is from the Get Happy!! sessions. Reached #30 in UK charts.

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D07

High Fidelity single Elvis Costello & The Attractions High Fidelity (2:27) Getting Mighty Crowded (Van McCoy) (2:05) Clowntime Is Over No. 2 (3:39) [1980-04-__; 12"; F-Beat XX3T (UK, ps)]

"CIO(No.2)" produced by EC.

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D08

High Fidelity single Elvis Costello & The Attractions High Fidelity (2:27) High Fidelity (2:27) [1980-04-__; 7"; F-Beat XX3-A (UK, promo)]

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D09

I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down Elvis Costello & The Attractions I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down (Banks/Jones) (2:05) Love For Tender (1:58) High Fidelity (2:27) Beaten To The Punch (1:47) [1980-__-__; 7"; F-Beat France FBR 5001 (France)]

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D10

My Very Special Guests George Jones Stranger In The House (3:37) - George Jones & EC [1980-04-__; LP; Epic S EPC 83163 (Also released as a promo with "FOR PROMOTION ONLY, NOT FOR RESALE" over the Epic seal on the back)] [1980-04-__; MC; Epic S EPC 83163] [19__-__-__; LP; CBS JE 35544 (US, has a 1979 copyright)] [1980-__-__; LP; Epic 25-3P-181 (Japan)] [1991-__-__; CD; Epic EK 35544]

I believe a promo sampler from this album was released and contained "Stranger In The House".

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D11

Stranger In The House single George Jones & Elvis Costello Stranger In The House (3:35) - George Jones & EC A Drunk Can't Be A Man (Montgomery/Jones) (2:42) - George Jones [1980-05-04; 7"; Epic S EPC 8560 (US, plain Epic sleeve)] [1981-02-__; 7"; Epic EPC 8560 (UK, ps, also issued as promo)]

Produced by Billy Sherrill.

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D12

New Amsterdam single Elvis Costello New Amsterdam Dr. Luther's Assistant [1980-06-__; 7"; F-Beat XX5 (ps)]

Pink cover contains a "Pay no more than 50p" notice. Reached #36 in UK charts.

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D13

New Amsterdam EP Elvis Costello New Amsterdam Dr. Luther's Assistant Ghost Train Just A Memory [1980-06-__; 7"; F-Beat XX5E (ps)] [1980-06-__; 7"; F-Beat XX5P (pic. disc)] [1980-__-__; 7"; F-Beat XXEP5 (Australia, ps [1980-__-__; 7"; F-Beat/Warner P-615X (Japan, ps)]

"DLA", "GT" & "JAM" produced by EC. The first 1,500 picture discs came with a black rim (promo copies) and are currently worth about twice as much as the later clear rimmed copies (15000 pressed). (Phil Dennison also has a brown rimmed copy in his collection.)

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D14

New Amsterdam single Elvis Costello New Amsterdam (2:10) New Amsterdam (2:10) [1980-06-__; 7"; F-Beat XX5-A (UK promo)]

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D15

New Amsterdam single Elvis Costello New Amsterdam (2:10) - EC Wednesday Week (2:02) - EC+A [1980-__-__; 7"; Columbia 1-11284 (USA)]

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D16

New Amsterdam single Elvis Costello New Amsterdam New Amsterdam [1980-__-__; 7"; Columbia 1-11284 (US white label promo. In the runout on one side is the number ZSS 167275-1C T and the '5' is scratched over to a '6'. On the other side is ZSS 167275-1C T and the entire number portion is scratched out and '167675' is scratched in lightly to the side.)]

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D17

Spectrum USA - New Horizons In Music (Vol. 12, Programs 1-13) various artists New Amsterdam - EC [1980-__-__; 7x12"; Box set of radio transcription discs (US promo)]

The radio programs were for broadcast during the 4th quarter of 1980.

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D18

Getting Mighty Crowded single Elvis Costello & The Attractions Getting Mighty Crowded (Van McCoy) (2:05) - EC+A Radio Sweetheart (single mix) (2:48) - EC [1980-__-__; 7"; Columbia 1-11389 (US/Canada. Also issued as promo)]

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D19

Getting Mighty Crowded Elvis Costello & The Attractions Getting Mighty Crowded (Van McCoy) (2:05) Getting Mighty Crowded (Van McCoy) (2:05) [1980-__-__; 7"; Columbia 1-11389 (US/Canada white label promo)]

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D20

Taking Liberties (4 track promo) Elvis Costello Clean Money - EC+A Radio Sweetheart - EC Getting Mighty Crowded (Van McCoy) - EC+A Talking In The Dark - EC+A [1980-09-__; 12"; Columbia AS 847 (US, promo)]

The word 'Costello' replaces 'Columbia' on the label. This version of "Radio Sweetheart" is a slightly different mix to the original version (B-side of "Less Than Zero" 7"). It does not have the backing vocals singing "Oooooh" at the start of the line "Hope in the eyes..." near the start.

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D21

Taking Liberties Elvis Costello Side 1: Clean Money Girls Talk Talking In The Dark Radio Sweetheart (2:24) Black And White World (demo) Big Tears Just A Memory Night Rally Stranger In The House Clowntime Is Over No. 2 Side 2: Getting Mighty Crowded Hoover Factory Tiny Steps (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea Dr. Luther's Assistant Sunday's Best Crawling To The USA Wednesday Week My Funny Valentine (Rodgers/Hart) Ghost Train [1980-11-__; LP; Columbia CK 36839 (JC 36939) (US, they used the old 78 rpm label with the word 'Columbia' changed to 'Costello')] [1980-__-__; LP; Columbia JC 36839 (Canada)] [1980-__-__; LP; Columbia PC 36839] [1980-__-__; 8T; Columbia JVC 36839 (Dolby)] [19__-__-__; CD]

The album's inner sleeve has recording details for all tracks. This version of "Radio Sweetheart" is a slightly different mix to the original version (B-side of "Less Than Zero" 7"). It does not have the backing vocals singing "Oooooh" at the start of the line "Hope in the eyes..." near the start. I have seen a Canadian version of the LP that had the CBS/Columbia logo on the label blanked out with a circular black sticker (standard practice for Columbia albums imported to the UK). Reached #28 in US charts.

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D22

Ten Bloody Marys & Ten How's Your Fathers Elvis Costello Clean Money (1:57) Girls Talk (1:56) Talking In The Dark (1:56) Radio Sweetheart (2:24) Big Tears (3:10) Crawling To The U.S.A. (2:52) Just A Memory (2:14) Watching The Detectives (3:43) Stranger In The House (3:01) Clowntime Is Over No. 2 (3:44) Getting Mighty Crowded (2:05) Hoover Factory (1:43) Tiny Steps (2:42) (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding? (Lowe) (3:31) Dr. Luther's Assistant (3:28) Radio, Radio (3:04) Black And White World (demo) (1:51) Wednesday Week (2:02) My Funny Valentine (Rodgers/Hart) (1:25) Ghost Train (3:05) [1980-11-07; MC; F-Beat XX6C (UK) [1984-04-06; LP; Demon IMP FIEND 27 (UK)] [1984-04-06; MC; Demon IMP FIENDCASS 27 (UK)] [1986-01-__; CD; Demon IMP FIEND CD 27 (UK)] [19__-__-__; LP; Liberation Records LIB 5104 (Australia)] [19__-__-__; MC; Liberation Records TCLIB 5104 (Australia)] [1998-10-02; CD; Demon 5035 (UK)]

Initially a UK cassette only release, released in the US as _Taking Liberties_. Original cassette copies were made of gold plastic and came in a gold case. This version of "Radio Sweetheart" is a slightly different mix to the original version (B-side of "Less Than Zero" 7"). It does not have the backing vocals singing "Oooooh" at the start of the line "Hope in the eyes..." near the start. The CD version has a typo in the song list which reads "Balck And White World". UK: Went silver (60,000 copies) (date unkown).

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D23

Ten Bloody Marys & Ten How's Your Fathers promo Elvis Costello Side 1: Clean Money Hoover Factory Black And White World (demo) Side 2: Stranger In The House Crawling To The USA [1980-11-__; 7"; F-Beat EL-1 (UK, white label promo)]

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D24

Clubland single Elvis Costello & The Attractions Clubland (3:40) Clean Money (1:57) Hoover Factory (1:43) [1980-12-__; 7"; F-Beat XX12 (UK, ps)] [1980-12-__; 7"; F-Beat/Warner P-1505X (Japan,ps)]

"CM" produced by Nick Lowe. "HF" produced by EC. Reached #60 in UK charts

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D25

Rock Against Racism (RAR's Greatest Hits) various artists Goon Squad (3:15) [1980-__-__; LP; Virgin RAR 1 (UK)]

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D26

Breaking The Rules various artists Tiny Steps [2:40]- EC+A [1980-__-__; 2xLP; Columbia/CBS A2S-881 (US, promo)]

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D27

Time For Action: Best Of New Wave various artists I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down (Banks/Jones) - EC+A [198_-__-__; LP; Germany]

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D--

Stiff Box Set No. 2 various artists Record 1 (BUY 11): Less Than Zero Radio Sweetheart (single mix) Record 4 (BUY 14): Alison Welcome To The Working Week Record 5 (BUY 15): (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes Mystery Dance Record 20 (BUY 20): Watching The Detectives Blame It On Cain (live) Mystery Dance (live) [19__-__-__; 10x7"; Stiff BUY 11 - BUY 20]

Stiff reissue of their early singles (also sold separately). The first 5000 pressings came in a brown box. On the labels the copyright is given as "Stiff Records" instead of the original "Stiff Records Ltd". There is an extra etching in the runoff groove "LYN xxxx" (where xxxx goes from 7473 (for BUY 11 a-side) to 7492 (for BUY 20 b-side)). The original runoff messages (e.g. "Elvis is King") remain. (Except that some copies of BUY11 have "A Porky Perfection" and "Elvis is King on This Side Too" on side A, and "Elvis is King" and "A Porky Prime Cut" on side B. The covers have a smaller, elliptical, cutout on the back compared to the original, and the "Delga" maker's mark is missing from the BUY 11 & BUY 15 covers (the BUY 14 & BUY 20 covers never had a maker's mark). Later issues carry the words "Made in England" on the labels.

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