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.
Shipbuilding
Elvis Costello & The Attractions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A new winter coat and shoes for the wife
And a bicycle on the boy's birthday
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
By the women and children
Soon we'll be shipbuilding
Well, I ask you
The boy said "dad, they're going to take me to task
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
Somebody said that someone got filled in
For saying that people get killed in
The result of this shipbuilding
With all the will in the world
Diving for dear life
When we could be diving for pearls
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
A telegram or a picture postcard
Within weeks they'll be re-opening the shipyards
And notifying the next of kin
Once again
It's all we're skilled in
We will be shipbuilding
With all the will in the world
Diving for dear life
When we could be diving for pearls
It's all we're skilled in
We will be shipbuilding
With all the will in the world
Diving for dear life
When we could be diving for pearls
When we could be diving for pearls
When we could be diving for pearls
"Shipbuilding" is a song that Elvis Costello wrote with Clive Langer in 1982 while the Falklands War was happening. The song aimed to question the seemingly inevitable wartime industrialization and the ethical implications it brings. Costello used the motif of the shipbuilding industry to explore the tension between economic necessity and social cost. The lyrics depict a sailor's family buying new clothes and a bike for their son's birthday, yet being under no illusion that they may return from the war alive. The boy hopes to be back by Christmas, but there's a sense of foreboding that his family knows it might be otherwise. There's another rumor of someone being filled in for expressing an opinion in the context of the shipbuilding industry. The line, "It's all we're skilled in," can be interpreted as the only option left for the working-class community to earn a living.
Line by Line Meaning
Is it worth it?
Is it worth sacrificing human lives and resources for the sake of shipbuilding?
A new winter coat and shoes for the wife
The workers need money to provide basic necessities for their families but at what cost?
And a bicycle on the boy's birthday
The workers also want to provide simple treats for their children despite being engaged in dangerous work.
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
People are spreading rumors to help cope with the difficult reality of the dangers and cost of shipbuilding.
By the women and children
The more vulnerable people in society are the ones who are hearing the rumors and dealing with the reality of the situation.
Soon we'll be shipbuilding
Shipbuilding is inevitable, no matter the cost.
Well, I ask you
The singer is asking the listener for their opinion on whether sacrificing human lives and resources for shipbuilding is worth it.
The boy said "dad, they're going to take me to task
The workers are aware of the danger of their work, but they still need to provide for their families.
But I'll be back by Christmas"
Workers are making promises to their families, but they may not be able to keep them due to the dangerous work conditions.
Somebody said that someone got filled in
Rumors are spreading about the consequences of speaking out about the dangers of shipbuilding.
For saying that people get killed in
Speaking out about the danger of shipbuilding can lead to violence against those who do.
The result of this shipbuilding
The consequences of continuing shipbuilding, both positive and negative.
With all the will in the world
Despite the risk, workers are determined to do their best at their jobs.
Diving for dear life
Workers are risking their lives by working in dangerous conditions.
When we could be diving for pearls
Rather than risking their lives building ships, workers could be pursuing more fruitful career paths.
A telegram or a picture postcard
Workers may receive bad news about the loss of a loved one while working on shipbuilding.
Within weeks they'll be re-opening the shipyards
Despite the danger, shipbuilding is an industry that generates demand and must be continued.
And notifying the next of kin
Families of workers are often notified of the death of their loved ones while working on dangerous jobs such as shipbuilding.
It's all we're skilled in
Workers may feel trapped in the industry of shipbuilding even though it is dangerous, because it is the only work they are qualified for or can find.
When we could be diving for pearls
Workers could be pursuing other careers that are less dangerous and lead to greater rewards for themselves and their families.
We will be shipbuilding
Despite its dangers, shipbuilding is necessary and inevitable for the economic development of the society.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO, CLIVE WILLIAM LANGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind