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.
The Beat
Elvis Costello & The Attractions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Vigilantes coming out to follow me
Heard somebody say they're out to collar me
Anybody wanna swallow me?
It takes two to tumble, it takes two to tango
Speak up, don't mumble if you're in the combo
'Til a man comes along and says
"Have you been a good boy, never played with your toy?
Though you never enjoy, such a pleasure to employ"
See your friends in the state they're in
See your friends getting under their skin
See your friends getting taken in
Well, if you only knew the things you do to me
I'd do anything to confuse the enemy
There's only one thing wrong with you befriending me
Take it easy, I think you're bending me
I've been a bad boy with the standard leader
My neighbor's revving up his Vauxhall Viva
On the beat (on the beat), on the upbeat (upbeat)
'Til a man comes along and says
"Have you been a good boy, never played with your toy?
Though you never enjoy, such a pleasure to employ"
See your friends walking down the street
See your friends never quite complete
See your friends getting under their feet
Oh, I don't wanna disease you
But I'm no good with machinery
Oh, I don't wanna freeze you
Stop looking at the scenery
I keep thinking about your mother
Oh, I don't wanna lick them
I don't wanna be a lover
I just wanna be your victim
I don't go out much at night
I don't go out much at all
Did you think you were the only one
Who was waiting for a call?
On the beat (on the beat) on the beat (on the beat) on the upbeat (upbeat)
'Til a man comes along and says
"Have you been a good boy, never played with your toy?
Though you never enjoy, such a pleasure to employ"
See your friends treat me like a stranger
See your friends despite all the arrangements
See your friends nothing here has changed
Just the beat (just the beat) just the beat (just the beat)
Just the beat (just the beat) just the beat
The song "The Beat" by Elvis Costello and the Attractions is packed with witty, and somewhat cryptic, lyrics that leave room for multiple interpretations. The opening lyrics suggest a desire for a summer holiday but then quickly turn to paranoia as the singer suggests that "vigilantes" are coming out to follow him, and he wonders if "anybody wanna swallow me?". The playful use of language continues throughout the song, as the singer talks about the need for two people to participate in certain activities, and the potential for confusion and tension that can arise from these pairings. He mentions being a bad boy, his neighbor's noisy car, and his discomfort with certain situations. As the song progresses, he wonders if he is being "bent" by the people around him and suggests that he just wants to be a "victim."
Overall, the lyrics seem to be addressing themes of anxiety, tension, and confusion, particularly in relation to social situations. The singer seems to feel somewhat out of place or uncomfortable with the people around him, and he uses his wit and wordplay to mask this discomfort. Ultimately, the message seems to be that despite people's best efforts to fit in or go with the flow, there will always be friction and misunderstandings in social interactions.
Line by Line Meaning
We're all going on a summer holiday
Everyone is getting excited and ready for a fun summer vacation
Vigilantes coming out to follow me
People are starting to watch and monitor me closely
Heard somebody say they're out to collar me
I heard someone say that they are trying to catch me and get me in trouble
Anybody wanna swallow me?
Is someone trying to swallow me up and take control of me?
It takes two to tumble, it takes two to tango
It's not just one person's fault when things go wrong in a relationship, both parties are involved
Speak up, don't mumble if you're in the combo
If you're part of the group, make sure you speak clearly and don't keep quiet
On the beat (on the beat), on the beat (on the beat)
Following the rhythm and staying on beat
'Til a man comes along and says
"Have you been a good boy, never played with your toy?
Though you never enjoy, such a pleasure to employ"
Until someone asks if I've been good and haven't been doing things I shouldn't be doing, but it's still tempting to do so
See your friends in the state they're in
See your friends getting under their skin
See your friends getting taken in
Observing how your friends are doing, how they're bothering others, and how they're easily influenced
Well, if you only knew the things you do to me
I'd do anything to confuse the enemy
There's only one thing wrong with you befriending me
Take it easy, I think you're bending me
If you only knew how you were affecting me, I'd be willing to do whatever it takes to throw off anyone who's against me. The only problem is that you're becoming too close and it's starting to affect me
I've been a bad boy with the standard leader
My neighbor's revving up his Vauxhall Viva
I've been doing some questionable things and my neighbor is making a lot of noise
On the upbeat (upbeat)
'Til a man comes along and says
"Have you been a good boy, never played with your toy?
Though you never enjoy, such a pleasure to employ"
Staying positive and following the rhythm until someone asks if I've been good or bad again
See your friends walking down the street
See your friends never quite complete
See your friends getting under their feet
Watching your friends walking around, feeling like something is missing, and getting stepped on
Oh, I don't wanna disease you
But I'm no good with machinery
Oh, I don't wanna freeze you
Stop looking at the scenery
I keep thinking about your mother
Oh, I don't wanna lick them
I don't wanna be a lover
I just wanna be your victim
I don't go out much at night
I don't go out much at all
Did you think you were the only one
Who was waiting for a call?
I don't want to infect you, but I'm not skilled with machines. I don't want you to get too cold, please stop admiring the view. I keep thinking about your mother, but I don't want to kiss anyone. I don't want to be in a relationship, I just want to be hurt by you. I don't go out much, or at all, did you think you were the only one waiting for something to happen?
See your friends treat me like a stranger
See your friends despite all the arrangements
See your friends nothing here has changed
Just the beat (just the beat) just the beat (just the beat)
Just the beat (just the beat) just the beat
Watching your friends treat me differently, even though we had plans. Nothing has really changed, it's just the rhythm we're following
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Elvis Costello
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jake G.
This song has much going for it. In a way, it stands out from every other track found on This Year's Model". Costello and the newly-formed Attractions step into Eden Studios to record an album for the first time at the end of 1977. Costello's songs are structured in a way that sound deceptively simple yet are not. The Attractions are playing as if their futures depend on it (which in a way, they are). The Beat is a spare song with a lot of space in it, a lot of room to breathe. That is what makes the song unique from some of the others. The execution could not be better. And do not make the mistake of underestimating the importance of producer-in-charge Nick Lowe. Back then (and maybe today), there was no one better at applying a certain sonic sheen to hard music played by rough virtuosi, not intended as a back-handed compliment. Kudos, 100%.
Richard Scott
Excellent tune. Unbeatable live, esp. back in that miraculous era of 78 - 82 with the Attractions.
Dean Allen
A fantastic straight rocker! Also a great Pop single. It takes real talent to hit both those marks in one shot.
bodensick
Along with Springsteen and Neil Young, Costello is one of the greatest songwriters of the 70's. My Aim Is True and This Years...are (in my humble opinion) his best collections of songs. Original, edgy and a master wordsmith.
Alejandro Moreno S.
and the 80s, as he only had about 3 years of songwriting in the 70s...
Margarida Alarcon
Voz linda !
BigJanyway
The master of under statement. The voice of the 80s.
Lex Interlect
wrong decade
Garrett Davis
Elvis Costello. Frickin' SONG-MACHINE, FOR OVER 40 YEARS'S !!!!!! WOW !!!!!
Danuta Gromowska
Love it !
Many thanks.