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.
Big Sister's Clothes
Elvis Costello & The Attractions Lyrics
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All your sons and daughters, in a strangle hold with a kid glove
She's got eyes like saucers, oh you think she's a dish
She is the blue chip that belongs to the big fish
But it's easier to say "I love you"
Than "Yours sincerely"; I suppose
All little sisters like to try on big sister's clothes
The sport of kings, the old queen's heart
The prince in darkness stole some tart
And it's in the papers, it's in the charts
It's in the stop press before it all starts
With a hammer on the slap and tickle under grisly garments
With all the style and finesse of the purchase of armaments
Compassion went out of fashion
That's all your concern meant
Sweat it out for thirty seconds on home improvements
But it's easier to say "I love you"
Than "Yours sincerely"; I suppose
All little sisters like to try on big sister's clothes
Big sister's clothes
Big sister's clothes
Big sister's clothes
The song "Big Sister" by Elvis Costello is full of metaphors and deep meaning. It speaks of the allure of power and the ways in which people are taken advantage of by those in power. The first stanza describes how people are drawn to the powerful, even when they know they shouldn't be. It talks about how people can be controlled and manipulated, and how the powerful person is seen as untouchable. The second stanza describes the corruptness of power and how it is often abused. It touches on the idea that people are treated as objects for the powerful to use and discard.
The chorus of the song, "All little sisters like to try on big sister's clothes" is a metaphor for how people are drawn to power and the trappings that come with it. It touches on the idea of how the younger generation often want to emulate the older generation, taking on their values and ways of living. However, the fact that the "little sister" is trying on the "big sister's clothes" implies that they are not yet ready for that level of power, and may not fully understand what they are getting into.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the corrupt nature of power and the way it is often used to control people. It speaks to the idea that people should be wary of those in power and skeptical of their motives. The lyrics and metaphors used in the song provide a deep and insightful commentary on the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Sheep to the slaughter, oh I thought this must be love
I was naive and gullible like a sheep to the slaughter, and I mistook the feeling for love
All your sons and daughters, in a strangle hold with a kid glove
You have complete control over your children despite being gentle as a kid glove
She's got eyes like saucers, oh you think she's a dish
Her wide, stunned eyes get your attention, and you think she's attractive
She is the blue chip that belongs to the big fish
She's the valuable asset coveted by those in power
But it's easier to say "I love you"
Than "Yours sincerely"; I suppose
Expressing fake love is more effortless than writing a genuine letter, I reckon
All little sisters like to try on big sister's clothes
Big sister's clothes
Big sister's clothes
Younger siblings often want to emulate their elder sister's style and behavior
The sport of kings, the old queen's heart
The prince in darkness stole some tart
And it's in the papers, it's in the charts
It's in the stop press before it all starts
Scandals involving influential people are popular in the media and quickly gain notoriety
With a hammer on the slap and tickle under grisly garments
With all the style and finesse of the purchase of armaments
Compassion went out of fashion
That's all your concern meant
Sweat it out for thirty seconds on home improvements
Violent sexual encounters and military weapons are treated with as much care and delicacy as household repairs, and empathy is no longer valued
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind