Out of Our Idiot
Elvis Costello · 1987
70 min · 21 tracks · new wave
A patchwork of eclectic influences, blending rock, punk, and new wave into a playful yet introspective sonic tapestry.
Top tracks — play these first
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Seven Day Weekend Start here — This opening track sets the energetic tone for the album, merging catchy melodies with witty lyrics about fleeting moments and existential musings.
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Turning the Town Red — With its vibrant instrumentation and sharp commentary on societal norms, this track exemplifies Costello's knack for blending humor with serious undertones.
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American Without Tears No 2 (twilight version) — This reimagined version highlights emotional depth through its melancholy melody and introspective lyrics, showcasing Costello's ability to evoke complex feelings.
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Baby It’s You — Costello's rendition adds a fresh twist to this classic song, combining heartfelt vocals with tight instrumentation to create a compelling listening experience.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- gradual builds and payoffs
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Showcases a diverse sound palette, moving away from earlier punk roots.
- Career context
- Released in January 1987, Out of Our Idiot came at a time when Elvis Costello was transitioning from his earlier punk roots into a more diverse sound palette. Following the critically acclaimed King of America, this album is a compilation of B-sides and rarities that reflects his artistic experimentation during the mid-1980s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joe Jackson· Graham Parker· Squeeze
Tracklist
- 1 Seven Day Weekend Start here 2:38
- 2 Turning the Town Red 3:21
- 3 Heathen Town 3:06
- 4 The People’s Limousine 3:40
- 5 So Young 3:27
- 6 Little Goody Two Shoes 2:28
- 7 American Without Tears No 2 (twilight version) 3:35
- 8 Get Yourself Another Fool 4:03
- 9 Walking on Thin Ice 3:43
- 10 Withered and Died 3:15
- 11 Blue Chair 3:39
- 12 Baby It’s You 3:17
- 13 From Head to Toe 2:35
- 14 Shoes Without Heels 4:16
- 15 Baby’s Got a Brand New Hairdo 3:22
- 16 The Flirting Kind 2:59
- 17 Black Sails in the Sunset 3:11
- 18 A Town Called Big Nothing (Really Big Nothing) 5:44
- 19 Big Sister 2:17
- 20 Imperial Bedroom 2:48
- 21 The Stamping Ground 3:10
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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