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.
Crawling To The U.S.A.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions Lyrics
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And slide inside the telephone wire that runs under the briny
Till I found there is a way of crawling to the U.S.A.
You had better not go too far
There's one way out, there's only one way
Leave your mother and your father
Crawling to the U.S.A.
It's farther on along the tunnel
It's way beyond the final station
That's the one they never mention
You had better not go too far
There's one way out, there's only one way
Leave your mother and your father
Crawling to the U.S.A.
You don't have to pay them that much
You had better bring your lunch
It's undercover, around the houses
Up your skirt and down your trousers
You had better not go too far
There's one way out, there's only one way
Leave your mother and your father
Crawling to the U.S.A.
She said, "I catch you taking liberties and they do not impress me
Attach me to your credit card and then you can undress me
Everybody is on their knees except the Russians and the Chinese
You had better not go too far
There's one way out, there's only one way
Leave your mother and your father
Crawling to the U.S.A.
The lyrics of "Crawling To The U.S.A." by Elvis Costello & The Attractions depict a desire to leave one's current life and crawl through a telephone wire under the sea to reach the United States. The singer feels a strong pull towards the U.S.A., willing to leave their family behind in pursuit of a better life. The song uses the metaphor of crawling through the wire, emphasizing the effort and determination required to make such a drastic move.
The lyrics suggest that there is a hidden route or secret channel to reach the U.S.A., not commonly known or spoken about. It hints at an underground or covert method of crossing borders, one that involves risks and sacrifices. The line "You had better not go too far" warns against getting too deeply involved in this journey, with the mention of leaving one's mother and father highlighting the personal cost of the decision.
The song also touches on the idea of paying a price, both financially and personally, for reaching the U.S.A. The line "You don't have to pay them that much, you had better bring your lunch" implies that there might be individuals or organizations involved in facilitating this journey who require some form of compensation. The lyrics further suggest that the process is clandestine and involves going through various obstacles and hiding places, such as being "undercover, around the houses, up your skirt and down your trousers."
Towards the end of the song, a reference is made to someone cautioning against taking liberties, possibly alluding to a love interest. The mention of attaching to a credit card and undressing implies a transactional and manipulative relationship. The lyrics then take a political turn, mentioning how everyone seems subservient except for the Russians and the Chinese, indicating a criticism of power dynamics and societal structures.
Overall, "Crawling To The U.S.A." explores the desire for change and escape, highlighting the lengths some may go to pursue their dreams or aspirations, as well as the sacrifices and risks involved in doing so.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought I would go to the sea and shrink down very tiny
I had the idea of becoming incredibly small and going to the ocean
And slide inside the telephone wire that ruins under the briny
Then, I would enter the telephone wire that is located under the saltwater
Till I found there is a way of crawling to the U.S.A.
Until I discovered a method to make my way to the United States by crawling
You had better not go too far
However, it is advised not to go too deep into this plan
There's one way out, there's only one way
There is only a single escape route
Leave your mother and your father
You must leave behind your parents
Saw it late one night on a secret channel
I witnessed it late at night on a hidden television channel
It's farther on along the tunnel
This realization comes further along the tunnel
It's way beyond the final station
It is much further than the last station
That's the one they never mention
That specific station is never discussed
You don't have to pay them that much
You do not need to pay them a large amount
You had better bring your lunch
However, you should pack your own meal
It's undercover, around the houses
The process is covert, involving various steps
Up your skirt and down your trousers
Involving actions like going up your skirt and down your trousers
She said, "I catch you taking liberties and they do not impress me
She warned, 'If I ever catch you taking liberties, it won't impress me'
Attach me to your credit card and then you can undress me
She sarcastically added, 'If you attach me to your credit card, then I'll allow you to undress me'
Everybody is on their knees except the Russians and the Chinese
Everyone is submissive except for the Russians and the Chinese
You had better not go too far
Again, it is important not to take this plan too far
There's one way out, there's only one way
Remember, there is only one possible route of escape
Leave your mother and your father
Make the tough choice of leaving your parents behind
Crawling to the U.S.A.
Embarking on a daunting journey towards the United States
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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