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.
Sittin' And Thinkin'
Elvis Costello & The Attractions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I had a fight with my best girlfriend
When I'm drinkin' I am nobody's friend
So please baby wait for me until they let me out again
I know the same thing has happened before
And each time it happens, I hate it more & more
When I'm drinkin' I am nobody's friend
So please baby wait for me until they let me out again
Sittin' and just thinkin' 'bout you
If I didn't spend so much time sittin' and drinkin'
We'd still have the love I thought we knew
I won't promise the same thing won't happen again
But I can promise, it'll be a long, long time till then
'Cause when I'm drinkin' I am nobody's friend
So please baby wait for me until they let me out again
Elvis Costello's song "Sittin' and Thinkin'" is a remorseful and melancholy ballad about the hazards of drinking and the lapse of love. The song begins with the admission that the singer had gotten drunk on gin and had an argument with his girlfriend, professing that alcohol consumption makes him a terrible friend. He pleads with her not to give up on him, knowing that this has happened before and acknowledging that his drinking puts a damper on their love. The musician then proceeds to express his regret and sadness caused by his actions, spending a lot of time sitting and thinking about his wrongdoing and which he vows to work on. However, he is incapable of ensuring that future lapses would not arise.
The track is characterized by its solitary guitar, delicate rhythmic back-up, evocative lyrics, and Elvis Costello's signature honed singing style. The song's instrumental arrangement is stripped-down, with a sparsely plucked guitar and light percussive sounds, which elegantly matches the song's serious tone. Although framed as a standard barroom ballad, Costello's tempestuous vocal adds a cathartic intensity to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I got loaded last night on a bottle of gin
Last night, I consumed a lot of gin and got drunk
And I had a fight with my best girlfriend
During my intoxicated state, I had an argument with my romantic partner
When I'm drinkin' I am nobody's friend
I become unpleasant and unfriendly when I'm under the influence of alcohol
So please baby wait for me until they let me out again
I'm asking for forgiveness and patience until I sober up and can make things right again
I know the same thing has happened before
This situation has occurred previously
And each time it happens, I hate it more & more
The repetition of this negative behavior has caused me to dislike it increasingly with each instance
I spent a whole lotta time sittin' and thinkin'
I've had a significant amount of time to contemplate and reflect on my actions
Sittin' and just thinkin' 'bout you
During my reflection, my thoughts have primarily been focused on you
If I didn't spend so much time sittin' and drinkin'
Had I not consumed so much alcohol and spent less time drinking, our relationship may have persisted
We'd still have the love I thought we knew
Our relationship could have continued and maintained the strong feelings I once had for you
I won't promise the same thing won't happen again
I cannot commit to preventing a similar occurrence in the future
But I can promise, it'll be a long, long time till then
It will be a significant amount of time before this behavior repeats itself, if it ever does
So please baby wait for me until they let me out again
Once again, I am asking for forgiveness and patience until I am sober and can make amends
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MUFF WINWOOD, PETER YORK, SPENCER DAVIS, STEVE WINWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind