Armed Forces Totally Explained

Everything about Armed Forces totally explained

ť For the military meaning, see Armed forces. For the Soviet sports society, see Armed Forces (sports society)

Armed Forces (1979) was Elvis Costello's third album, his second with the Attractions, and the first to officially credit the Attractions on the cover. The album originally had the working title Emotional Fascism. It was produced by Nick Lowe at Eden Studios in West London.
Initial pressings of the album in the UK & US included a promotional three-song 7" 33⅓ rpm EP, Live at Hollywood High, recorded on June 4 1978. The live tracks, also produced by Nick Lowe, are "Accidents Will Happen," "Alison," and "Watching the Detectives," which are included on the Rykodisc reissue and on the Rhino bonus disk along with six more songs from the Hollywood High gig. The UK edition also included 4 postcards featuring pictures of the band.
In 2000 Q magazine placed Armed Forces at number 45 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever.

Original LP track listing

All songs written by Elvis Costello, except as indicated.

Side one

"Accidents Will Happen" – 3:00

"Senior Service" – 2:17

"Oliver's Army" – 2:58

"Big Boys" – 2:54

"Green Shirt" – 2:42

"Party Girl" – 3:20

Side two

"Goon Squad" – 3:14

"Busy Bodies" – 3:33

"Sunday's Best" – 3:22

"Moods for Moderns" – 2:48

"Chemistry Class" – 2:55

"Two Little Hitlers" – 3:18

The US release of Armed Forces (with the "dripping paint" sleeve) deleted "Sunday's Best" and substituted "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" by Nick Lowe at the end of side two.

Bonus CD reissue tracks (1993 Rykodisc)

"(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?" (Lowe) – 3:31

"My Funny Valentine" (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) – 1:28

"Tiny Steps" – 2:42

"Clean Money" – 1:57

"Talking in the Dark" – 1:56

"Wednesday Week" – 2:01

"Accidents Will Happen" (Live at Hollywood High) – 3:18

"Alison" (Live at Hollywood High) – 3:08

"Watching the Detectives" (Live at Hollywood High) – 5:51

Tracklisting notes: The Rykodisc reissue placed "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?" after a 15 second silence following "Two Little Hitlers."

Bonus disc (2002 Rhino)

"Tiny Steps" – 2:42

"Busy Bodies" (Alternate version) – 3:48

"Talking in the Dark" – 1:56

"Big Boys" (Alternate version) – 2:56

"Clean Money" – 1:57 –

"Wednesday Week" – 2:01

"My Funny Valentine" (Rodgers, Hart) – 1:33

"Accidents Will Happen" (Live at Hollywood High) – 3:18

"Mystery Dance" (Live at Hollywood High) – 2:01

"Goon Squad" (Live at Hollywood High) – 3:42

"Party Girl" (Live at Hollywood High) – 3:19

"Stranger in the House" (Live at Hollywood High) – 3:52

"Alison" (Live at Hollywood High) – 3:08

"Lipstick Vogue" (Live at Hollywood High) – 4:26

"Watching the Detectives" (Live at Hollywood High) – 5:51

"You Belong to Me" (Live at Hollywood High) – 2:39

"Chemistry Class" (Live solo) – 2:34 Note: The Rykodisc version has the original tracks and bonus tracks on one CD. The Rhino version has two CDs with the original tracks on the first CD.

Personnel

Elvis Costello – guitar, vocals

Steve Nieve – piano, organ

Bruce Thomas – bass

Pete Thomas – drums

Charts

Album

Year	Chart	Position
1979	Billboard Pop Albums	10

Further Information

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