|
''Spike'' is the 12th studio album by the British rock singer and songwriter Elvis Costello, released on compact disc as Warner Brothers 25848. It was his first album for the label. It peaked at No. 5 on the UK album chart. It also reached No. 32 on the ''Billboard'' 200 thanks to the single and his most notable American hit, "Veronica," which reached No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No.1 on the US Modern Rock chart. ==Content== In 1987, Costello began writing with Paul McCartney for the latter's ''Flowers in the Dirt'' album. They composed a dozen songs together, which showed up on multiple albums by McCartney and Costello.〔Costello, Elvis. ''Spike.'' Rhino Records 8122 72486 2, 2001, liner notes.〕 Two of those songs appear on this album, "Pads, Paws and Claws" and the hit single "Veronica." As his first album for a new label, in his own words Costello had the budget of "a small independent movie," and having in mind the blueprint for five different albums, decided to make all of them.〔 He brought back his foil from ''King of America'', T-Bone Burnett, to facilitate the sessions and produce the album. Studio time was booked in four different locations: Ocean Way in Hollywood; Southland Studios in New Orleans; Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin; and AIR Studios in London.〔 Four different groups of musicians were assembled in each location. Writing credits on the album are given to both Declan MacManus and Elvis Costello. The single "Veronica" peaked at No. 31 on the UK singles chart and at No. 19 in America, his best showing ever on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. It also reached No.1 on the US Modern Rock chart. "This Town" was also released as a single but missed both of the main singles chart in both nations. An extended play single was also released for "Baby Plays Around," peaking at No. 65 in the UK. The second track, "Let Him Dangle", is a protest song opposing capital punishment, recounting the conviction and execution of Derek Bentley. The seventh track, "Tramp the Dirt Down," is a fiery lament, depicting Costello's anger at the Thatcher government and its effect on Britain's society. In the song, Costello expresses his desire to live long enough to see Margaret Thatcher die and vows, "I'll stand on your grave and tramp the dirt down." "I wish I'd written 'Tramp the Dirt Down'," said singer Natalie Merchant.〔'Q Questionnaire': ''Q'', January 1994, p154〕 The song reached No. 79 on the iTunes chart following Thatcher's death in April 2013. In addition, he played this song at Glastonbury 2013 having previously performed it there on the Pyramid Stage in 1987. Lyrics are given in the booklet for the eighth track, "Stalin Malone," but the album recording is an instrumental and does not include vocals. A version with a recitation of the lyrics as poetry appears on the 2001 bonus disc. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Spike (Elvis Costello album)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|