The initial recording sessions were held at DJM Studios in London, but they were displeased with the results. It did not help that the bandmates were almost constantly under the influence of mood-altering drugs. As Costello wrote in the liner notes of the Rhino reissue:
“ This was easily the most drug-influenced record of my career... It was completed close to a self-induced nervous collapse on a diet of rough 'scrumpy' cider, gin and tonic, various powders... and, in the final hours, Seconal and Johnnie Walker Black Label. ”
Recording resumed at Eden Studios, where previous albums had been done. Although the band was no more sober, the resulting tracks were more to Costello's liking. Despite having previously expressed a desire to distance himself from the pop music mainstream, Costello revealed that a number of songs on the album were influenced by other contemporary artists. Specifically, "Clubland" incorporated the guitar style of The Police, "You'll Never Be A Man" borrowed from The Pretenders, "White Knuckles" was modelled on XTC records, and "Fish 'n' Chip Paper" was an homage to Squeeze. Lastly, "Big Sister's Clothes" had a bass line based on work by The Clash.
Commercially, none of the singles on Trust entered the British top 40, the first time this had happened since My Aim Is True, his debut album. "Clubland" was a minor chart hit at # 60.
Clubland
Elvis Costello & The Attractions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Going off-limits, going off duty
Going off the rails, going off with booty
They tell tales of fiction found on all the criminal types
Lead to a higher-ranking man or a face with thin red stripes
The boys next door
The mums and dads
New-weds and nearly-deads
Have you ever been had in clubland?
In clubland
There's a piece in someone's pocket to do the dirty work
You've come to shoot the pony, they've come to do the jerk
They leave him halfway to paradise, they leave you halfway to bliss
The ladies' invitation never seemed like this
The boys next door
The mums and dads
New-weds and nearly-deads
Have you ever been had in clubland?
In clubland
The long arm of the law slides up the outskirts of town
Meanwhile in clubland they are ready to pull them down
Hey
The right to work is traded in for the right to refuse admission
Don't pass out now, there's no refund, did you find out what you were missing?
The crowd is taking forty winks minus ten percent
You barely get required sleep to go lingering with contemptment
Thursday to Saturday
Money's gone already
Some things come in common these days
Your hands and work aren't steady
The boys next door
The mums and dads
New-weds and nearly-deads
Have you ever been had in clubland?
In clubland
In clubland
In clubland, he-e-y
"Clubland" by Elvis Costello & The Attractions is a song that explores the shady world of nightclubs and the people that inhabit them. The lyrics describe a place where illicit activities are the norm, and where people come to indulge in their vices. The singer talks about "backhanders" and "bevy of beauty," which alludes to people using bribes and flirting in order to get what they want. He also mentions going "off-limits, going off duty," which can be interpreted as people letting go of their inhibitions and engaging in behavior that they wouldn't do in their daily lives.
The chorus of the song asks the listener if they have ever been "had in clubland," suggesting that these nightclubs are not to be trusted, and that people often get taken advantage of. The lyrics suggest that there is a corrupt system at play, where the criminal underworld makes deals with those in power, and where the police turn a blind eye. There is also the sense that the people who go to these nightclubs are trapped in a cycle of addiction and excess, where they come on Thursday and leave on Saturday, having spent all their money and lost all sense of control.
Overall, "Clubland" is a song that paints a grim picture of nightclubs and the people who frequent them. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of getting caught up in a world of excess and indulgence, and about how easy it is to lose oneself in the pursuit of pleasure. The song's cynical tone and gritty lyrics make it a standout track in Elvis Costello's discography.
Line by Line Meaning
With a handful of backhanders and a bevy of beauty
With bribes and attractive women at hand
Going off-limits, going off duty
Ignoring the rules and responsibilities
Going off the rails, going off with booty
Losing control and stealing valuable items
They tell tales of fiction found on all the criminal types
False stories are told about any lawbreaker
Lead to a higher-ranking man or a face with thin red stripes
Accusations can incriminate those in power or high-stakes positions
The boys next door
The average people
The mums and dads
Parents and adults
New-weds and nearly-deads
Newlyweds or elderly people
Have you ever been had in clubland?
Have you ever been taken advantage of in the club scene?
There's a piece in someone's pocket to do the dirty work
Bribery is used to conduct illegal activity
You've come to shoot the pony, they've come to do the jerk
You are here to have fun, they are here to exploit you
They leave him halfway to paradise, they leave you halfway to bliss
They will stop short of giving you what you want
The ladies' invitation never seemed like this
Women are not usually invited to participate in these activities
The long arm of the law slides up the outskirts of town
Police are starting to investigate the area
Meanwhile in clubland they are ready to pull them down
Even with the potential threat of being caught, they are still engaging in illegal behavior
The right to work is traded in for the right to refuse admission
The opportunity for legal work is exchanged for entry into the club scene
Don't pass out now, there's no refund, did you find out what you were missing?
Don't lose consciousness or you won't get your money back, did you become aware of what is really happening?
The crowd is taking forty winks minus ten percent
The people are barely awake
You barely get required sleep to go lingering with contemptment
You barely get enough sleep and still have negative feelings
Thursday to Saturday
The busiest club nights
Money's gone already
People have already spent all their money
Some things come in common these days
Certain behaviors or situations are becoming typical
Your hands and work aren't steady
Your actions and job are inconsistent
In clubland, he-e-y
In the world of clubs
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind