Watching the Detectives
The single that gave him his first top 40 hit in Britain, recorded with a nineteen-year-old on piano.
Elvis Costello, from My Aim Is True (1977)
- Written by
- Elvis Costello
- Released
- 21 October 1977
- Length
- 3:45
- Album
- My Aim Is True
Released on Stiff in Britain and on Columbia in November 1977 in America, it was recorded in May 1977 and produced by Lowe. Andrew Bodnar played bass and Steve Goulding drums. Steve Nieve, then still Steve Nason and aged 19, added piano and organ overdubs. The first Clash album, heard on headphones, was part of the background, and Bernard Herrmann's film scores influenced the piano. The song was added to the US edition of My Aim Is True.
It reached number 15 in the UK, his first top 40 entry, and number 9 in Sweden. It has been covered by Duran Duran, Toto, Jenna Mammina and the Henry Girls.
Live
The version from Hollywood High School on 4 June 1978 runs 5:59.
On stage
- 1978-06-04, Hollywood High School, Los Angeles A 5:59 version.
Covers and versions
- Duran Duran (1995)
- Toto (2002)
- Jenna Mammina (1999)
- The Henry Girls (2011)
More songs by Elvis Costello
Alison, (I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea, Pump It Up, Oliver's Army, Accidents Will Happen, Shipbuilding
Sources
- Watching the Detectives (song), Wikipedia
- Live at Hollywood High, Wikipedia