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.
I'm Your Toy
Elvis Costello & The Attractions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That won't keep you warm at night
Cause I'm the one who taught you how
To do the things you're doing now
He may feel all your charms
He may hold you in his arms
But I'm the one who let you in
I was right beside you then
Once upon a time
You let me feel you deep inside
And nobody knew, nobody saw
Do you remember the way you cried?
I'm your toy, I'm your old boy
But I don't want no one but you to love me
Oh I wouldn't lie
You know I'm not that kind of guy
Once upon a time
You let me feel you deep inside
And nobody knew, nobody saw
Do you remember the way you cried?
I'm your toy, I'm your old boy
But I don't want no one but you to love me
Oh I wouldn't lie
You know I'm not that kind of guy
The lyrics to Elvis Costello & The Attractions's song "I'm Your Toy" explore the complex emotions and power dynamics of a past relationship. The singer in the song is addressing a former lover, stating that even though they may be with someone else now, he is the one who taught them how to love and pleasured them in the past. The lines "You may be sweet and nice / That won't keep you warm at night / Cause I'm the one who taught you how / To do the things you're doing now" suggest that even though the current partner may have other good qualities, they cannot compare to the singer's influence on the former lover's sexual experiences.
The following lines "He may feel all your charms / He may hold you in his arms / But I'm the one who let you in / I was right beside you then" continue this theme of power and control. The singer is asserting that even though the former lover may be enjoying a new relationship, they will always be connected through their past experiences together. The lines "I'm your toy, I'm your old boy / But I don't want no one but you to love me" convey a sense of longing and possessiveness from the singer. They want the former lover to only love them and not anyone else, despite the fact that they may have moved on.
The repetition of the line "Once upon a time / You let me feel you deep inside / And nobody knew, nobody saw / Do you remember the way you cried?" creates a hauntingly poignant effect. It highlights the intimacy and secrecy of the past relationship, emphasizing the depth of emotion that the singer feels towards the former lover. Overall, "I'm Your Toy" is a powerful exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the lingering effects of past experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
You may be sweet and nice
Your pleasing personality doesn't guarantee warmth and comfort on cold nights.
That won't keep you warm at night
Sweetness and niceness don't provide the physical warmth one needs at night.
Cause I'm the one who taught you how
I am the one who showed you how to do what you do now.
To do the things you're doing now
I taught you the skills you're using in your current relationship.
He may feel all your charms
He may appreciate your attractive qualities.
He may hold you in his arms
He may be physically close to you.
But I'm the one who let you in
I am the one who allowed you into my life.
I was right beside you then
I was with you every step of the way in the past.
Once upon a time
In the past.
You let me feel you deep inside
You allowed me to be intimately close to you.
And nobody knew, nobody saw
Our intimacy was a secret between only the two of us.
Do you remember the way you cried?
Do you remember how emotionally intense our past experiences were?
I'm your toy, I'm your old boy
I am committed to you and have been devoted to you in the past.
But I don't want no one but you to love me
I only want your love, not anyone else's.
Oh I wouldn't lie
I am an honest and truthful person.
You know I'm not that kind of guy
You know I am not the type to deceive or mislead you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRIS ETHRIDGE, GRAM PARSONS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
wpollock1
Steve Nieve so strong on piano as usual. This album was almost invisible except for A Good Year For the Roses.....yet, I love it.
Vinnnne
Awesome album
Richard Biegaj
An incredible rendition of the Gram Parsons classic. Bravo!
Amber Faith Lee
Timeless. I love your style Mr. Costello!
Jeff Vader
Beautiful. Wish there were a full concert DVD of this. BTW, glad to see that Pete dressed for the occasion. ;)
JustAboutGlad
Fantastic - whole concert please!
Joe10jo
How lovely! ❤️Gram❤️
Kevin Kunreuther
Royal Albert Hall, 1981, after he released "Almost Blue" album. His first foray with a symphony orchestra. I'm Your Toy was not only the zenith of the performance, it was the only song from concert that was worth releasing. Nevertheless, it gave Elvis the impetus to try move into baroque pop of "Imperial Bedroom".
jonnyjaywick
i saw EC and the attractions at the albert hall in 1991 or 2, and was sat in the front row of the side circle, just above the stage . i was married at the time, to a woman called Alison. when they came out for the first encore, I shouted out "Alison", Elvis obviously heard me, looked me in the eye, smiled, and hit that first chord. unforgettable, spine tingling moment.
amber wamber
Kevin Kunreuther 182 January