Pump It Up

Released on Radar on 10 June 1978 with Big Tears on the B-side, it was produced by Lowe at Eden Studios. Costello plays electric guitar, Nieve organ and piano, and the Thomases make up the rhythm section. Mix reported that the basic track was cut to a 16-track Ampex machine, with Neumann U 87 microphones on the toms and a Neumann U47 and Shure 57 on the guitar amp. Bechirian recalled that everybody was very focused. Costello has called the song a satire that goes against the grain of hedonism.

It reached number 24 in the UK and was certified Silver by the BPI. Berton Averre of the Knack says its drum beat inspired My Sharona. The Rogue Traders used the riff on Voodoo Child in 2005, and Olivia Rodrigo's Brutal in 2021 has a similar riff, which Costello defended. Mudhoney have covered it.

Live

Setlist.fm logs 182 performances as a standalone song.