Internationally, the band is perhaps best known for popular rock hits such as "Oliver's Army" and "Pump It Up", both featuring expressive yet sardonic vocals from Costello. He reconvened the band for one-off albums and tours over the following decade, particularly from 1994 through 1996. He has also enlisted Nieve, and to a lesser extent Pete Thomas, for other recordings and performances, and this continues to the present day. Costello and Bruce Thomas have had a notoriously stormy relationship, documented in Thomas' 1990 autobiographical novel 'The Big Wheel'. The original Attractions reunited for the 'Brutal Youth & All This Useless Beauty' sessions despite Costello and Thomas' differences. Pete Thomas and Steve Nieve, along with Bruce Thomas' replacement Davey Faragher, have been a part of Costello's other most well known backing band, The Imposters.
Together, Costello and the Attractions, based out of London, England, recorded ten albums. Most of which are critically regarded as among Costello's finest. They are: 'This Year's Model' (1978); 'Armed Forces' (1979); 'Get Happy' (1980); 'Trust' (1981); 'Almost Blue' (1981); 'Imperial Bedroom' (1982); 'Punch The Clock' (1983); 'Goodbye Cruel World' (1984); 'Blood and Chocolate' (1986), and 'All This Useless Beauty' (1996). The full band plays on some, but not all, tracks on the 1994 release 'Brutal Youth', which is credited to Costello alone. In addition, The Attractions also recorded an album without Costello, titled 'Mad About the Wrong Boy', which they released in 1980.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions most recently appeared together, although they didn't play, when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. The band's work has continued to receive much airplay and sell quite well over the years. 'Mad About the Wrong Boy', while obscure, has been a collectors item for many new wave and power pop fans.
Chelsea
Elvis Costello & The Attractions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He thinks of all the lips that he licks
And all the girls that he's going to fix
She gave a little flirt, gave herself a little cuddle
But there's no place here for the mini-skirt waddle
Capital punishment, she's last year's model
They call her Natasha when she looks like Elsie
I don't want to go to Chelsea
Oh, no, it does not move me
Even though I've seen the movie
I don't want to check your pulse
I don't want nobody else
I don't want to go to Chelsea
Everybody's got new orders
Be a nice girl and kiss the warders
Now the teacher is away
All the kids begin to play
Men come screaming, dressed in white coats
Shake you very gently by the throat
One's named Gus, one's named Alfie
I don't want to go to Chelsea
Oh, no, it does not move me
Even though I've seen the movie
I don't want to check your pulse
I don't want nobody else
I don't want to go to Chelsea
Photographs of fancy tricks to get your kicks at sixty-six
He thinks of all the lips that he licks
And all the girls that he's going to fix
She gave a little flirt, gave herself a little cuddle
But there's no place here for the mini-skirt waddle
Capital punishment, she's last year's model
They call her Natasha when she looks like Elsie
I don't want to go to Chelsea
Oh, no, it does not move me
Even though I've seen the movie
I don't want to check your pulse
I don't want nobody else
I don't want to go to Chelsea
The lyrics to Elvis Costello's song "Chelsea" are full of clever wordplay and social commentary. The song begins with photographs of older men trying to relive their youth by engaging in extravagant behavior, including chasing after young women. The lyrics then move to a woman who is considered outdated and out of touch with the current fashion trends. She is referred to as "last year's model" and is given the name "Natasha" even though she looks like "Elsie," highlighting society's obsession with youth and beauty.
The song then shifts to a scene of chaos where men in white coats arrive and take control. The imagery of men in white coats can be interpreted as a reference to the psychiatric profession and the treatment of those who do not fit societal norms. The lyrics suggest that these men are there to "shake you very gently by the throat" and take away one's individuality.
Throughout the song, the chorus is repeated, with the singer declaring, "I don't want to go to Chelsea." This line can be interpreted in many ways- perhaps Chelsea is a metaphor for conformity, or it could be a reference to London's fashionable Chelsea neighborhood. Either way, the lyrics suggest that the singer wants no part in the society described in the song.
Overall, "Chelsea" is a critique of society's obsession with youth and conformity, as well as commentary on the oppressive systems that enforce these norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Photographs of fancy tricks to get your kicks at sixty-six
Pictures of people doing extravagant stunts to entertain themselves when they're old.
He thinks of all the lips that he licks/And all the girls that he's going to fix
He thinks about all the women he's kissed in the past and the ones he's planning on seducing.
She gave a little flirt, gave herself a little cuddle/But there's no place here for the mini-skirt waddle
She was flirty and affectionate with herself, but her attire is not appropriate for this place.
Capital punishment, she's last year's model/They call her Natasha when she looks like Elsie
She has fallen out of fashion, and people call her the wrong name when she doesn't quite fit the mold.
I don't want to go to Chelsea/Oh, no, it does not move me/Even though I've seen the movie/I don't want to check your pulse/I don't want nobody else/I don't want to go to Chelsea
He doesn't want to visit the location being discussed because it doesn't interest him, despite hearing about it and others urging him to try it.
Everybody's got new orders/Be a nice girl and kiss the warders/Now the teacher is away/All the kids begin to play
People have been given new instructions to follow, which includes being compliant with authority. Since no one is monitoring their actions, the children have started acting out and ignoring the rules.
Men come screaming, dressed in white coats/Shake you very gently by the throat/One's named Gus, one's named Alfie/I don't want to go to Chelsea
Men in lab coats rush in and touch your neck, but despite there being names for them, he doesn't want to check it out.
Photographs of fancy tricks to get your kicks at sixty-six/He thinks of all the lips that he licks/And all the girls that he's going to fix
Seeing pictures of elderly people entertaining themselves with daring activities, reminds him of his own exploits and plans to seduce more women.
I don't want to go to Chelsea/Oh, no, it does not move me/Even though I've seen the movie/I don't want to check your pulse/I don't want nobody else/I don't want to go to Chelsea
He reaffirms his disinterest in traveling to this particular area, despite watching a film about it and being advised to try it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Elvis Costello
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gregbowen617
This still gives me goosebumps and I'm in my 60's...angsty, edgy, and razor-sharp...what a song...
@iaassay9346
You and me both....
@Fetherko
Get your kicks at 66
@louisajones9015
heyy Greg, still got four! years to go! but just could not agree more!
wishing you a happy day, from lou xxx
@provocase
57 here... must have been 12 or 13 when this came out. Loved it instantly even if I might have not have really grasped the lyrics then (non native English speaker), but the angst, edge and razor-sharpness shone right through for me as a kid back then... and this still turns my crank today!
@bernicehenry9738
Loved this high school mornings..
It was what I needed to pump me up in Sydney Australia! Thank God for 2JJ back then!!!!!
@markdenney3333
Every now and again I 'rediscover' music. Music that I loved at the time but haven't really listened to since. This is simply epic, I cannot stop playing it. Music, the gift that keeps on giving. Thank God we still have such good quality music to go back to, I fear the kids of today won't be rediscovering in the future!
@iaassay9346
Yes!
@derekk2708
SAME! ... Have it on Loop! That Guitar Rift ... ; )
@ox8833
I know exactly what your saying!
Glad I rediscovered him him this