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.
Girls Talk
Elvis Costello & The Attractions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought I heard you mention my name, can`t you talk any louder?
Don`t come any closer, don`t come any nearer
My vision of you can`t get any clearer
Oh, I just want to hear girls talk
I got a loaded imagination being fired by girls talk
But I can`t say the words you want to hear
I suppose you`re going to have to play it by ear
Girls talk and they want to know how
Girls talk and they say it`s not allowed
Girls talk, if they say that it`s so
Don`t you think that I know by now
That the word up on everyone`s lips
Stick that you`re dedicated
Though you may not be an old fashioned girl
You`re still going to get dated
Was it really murder?
Were you just pretending?
Lately I have heard you are the living end
Girls talk and they want to know about her
Girls talk, they want to know if I care
Girls talk and they want to know where
Girls talk girls talk
In Elvis Costello & The Attractions's song Girls Talk, the singer seems to be in a position where they are privy to some juicy gossip, perhaps about someone they are attracted to. The singer's desire to hear more of the girls talking highlights the universal appeal of gossip, especially when it relates to one's personal life. The line "There are some things you can`t cover up with lipstick and powder" suggests that no amount of physical self-presentation can hide one's true intentions or desires. The singer seems to be playing a game of cat and mouse with the subject of their affection, testing how much they can reveal without giving themselves away entirely.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes increasingly frustrated with their inability to express themselves fully. They comment on societal expectations around what's "allowed" when it comes to talking openly about one's emotions or desires. The line "Girls talk and they say it's not allowed" could be seen as a commentary on the ways in which women are often discouraged from speaking their minds, especially when it comes to topics related to romance.
Ultimately, the song paints a picture of a world where people are constantly trying to decode one another's hidden meanings, and where gossip can both empower and undermine those who engage in it. At its core, Girls Talk is a song about the messy, complicated, and endlessly fascinating world of human relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
There are some things you can`t cover up with lipstick and powder
You can't always hide flaws or mistakes with makeup or superficial things
I thought I heard you mention my name, can`t you talk any louder?
I think I overheard you talking about me, can you speak up a bit?
Don`t come any closer, don`t come any nearer
Stay where you are, don't try to get closer to me
My vision of you can`t get any clearer
I already have a clear picture of you in my mind
Oh, I just want to hear girls talk
I am curious about what girls talk about when they're alone
I got a loaded imagination being fired by girls talk
My imagination is running wild, inspired by girls' conversations
But I can`t say the words you want to hear
I can't say what you want me to say
I suppose you`re going to have to play it by ear
You'll just have to wait and see how things play out
Girls talk and they want to know how
Girls like to talk about how things work or how to do things
Girls talk and they say it`s not allowed
Girls know they're not supposed to talk about certain things
Girls talk, if they say that it`s so
Girls talk about things they believe to be true
Don`t you think that I know by now
I already know what you're talking about
That the word up on everyone`s lips
Everyone is talking about this
Stick that you`re dedicated
You have a commitment to something or someone
Though you may not be an old fashioned girl
You might not be a traditional or conservative girl
You`re still going to get dated
You're still going to go out with guys and be in relationships
Was it really murder?
Did something really bad happen?
Were you just pretending?
Were you just pretending to be something you're not?
Lately I have heard you are the living end
I've heard you're really amazing or incredible lately
Girls talk and they want to know about her
Girls like to talk about other girls and want to know about one in particular
Girls talk, they want to know if I care
Girls want to know if I have feelings for someone
Girls talk and they want to know where
Girls want to know where something or someone is
Girls talk girls talk
Girls love to chat and share information with each other
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
QueerAndUnplugged
It's SO SO much easier to make something a little bit better ONCE IT"S BEEN WRITTEN. For that reason, Elvis Costello still wins in the debate with all the "pretenders". Just MY $.02
LoseTheMadness
Thank you for posting this.
Dan Conroy
Although this is my favorite version of this song, it is WAY too short.
Eric Kretzmer
Definitely! I like both.
officialpartychannel
he gave this song to dave edmunds while drunk according to wikipedia
Leonard Yuhas
ELVIS NEEDS BRUCE THOMAS BACK....
Shane Larker
somebody had the nerve to compare Dave Mathews with EC. That's like comparing a snickers with one of those orange and black wrapper chews you get at Halloween
Jimmy B!
+Shane Larker Not that Matthews is bad, I just don't see the comparisons. That's more like comparing Milk Duds to Starbursts to me, unless if it was like a lyrics battle or something.
Joel D. Terry
+Shane Larker OK, there's no simple lol here--I actually spat tea all over my laptop reading your spot-on comparison. EC vs. DM? EC wins every day, hands down, end of conversation.
AgingBoner
I didn't realize that there was going to be a battle between the two.