Taking Liberties
Elvis Costello · 1980
51 min · 20 tracks · new wave
A brisk compilation of Elvis Costello's early hits, merging witty lyrics and punchy melodies through a new wave lens.
Top tracks — play these first
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Clean Money Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Girls Talk — This track showcases Costello’s signature blend of humor and heartbreak, highlighting his knack for storytelling within a catchy pop framework.
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(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea — With its infectious rhythm and sardonic lyrics about urban disillusionment, this song encapsulates the spirit of late '70s punk rock with a distinctive twist.
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Radio Sweetheart — This track exemplifies Costello's ability to merge personal narrative with broader social commentary, wrapped in a tight melodic structure.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This compilation captures Costello's early style but lacks the cohesive narrative of a studio album.
What we noticed
- Several songs incorporate punchy rhythms and witty lyrics, characteristic of Costello's early new wave sound.
- The sequencing includes both upbeat tracks and more introspective pieces, creating a dynamic flow throughout the compilation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- quick bursts of sharp wit
- energetic tracks for road trips
- playful irreverence in every song
- sing-along moments with friends
- punchy anthems for lively gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer long, contemplative pieces
- seek slow, gradual builds
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A compilation of B-sides and non-album tracks, significant but not a primary entry point.
- Career context
- Taking Liberties was released in 1980, serving as a compilation of B-sides and non-album tracks during a prolific period for Elvis Costello. It followed his critically acclaimed debut, My Aim Is True, and the successful This Year's Model, showcasing his rapid evolution as a songwriter and performer. This album came just before Costello's major breakthrough with Armed Forces later that year.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joe Jackson· Graham Parker· Squeeze
Tracklist
- 1 Clean Money Start here 2:00
- 2 Girls Talk 1:57
- 3 Talking in the Dark 1:56
- 4 Radio Sweetheart 2:29
- 5 Black and White World 1:50
- 6 Big Tears 3:10
- 7 Just a Memory 2:18
- 8 Night Rally 2:43
- 9 Stranger in the House 3:03
- 10 Clowntime Is Over 3:48
- 11 Getting Mighty Crowded 2:10
- 12 Hoover Factory 1:45
- 13 Tiny Steps 2:42
- 14 (I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea 3:07
- 15 Dr. Luther’s Assistant 3:29
- 16 Sunday’s Best 3:24
- 17 Crawling to the U.S.A. 2:54
- 18 Wednesday Week 2:05
- 19 My Funny Valentine 1:31
- 20 Ghost Train 3:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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