As a writer, songwriter, and all around nerd, I was instantly in awe of Elvis Costello upon first discovering his music while still in high school. Armed Forces was the first one that I bought, and I had one of the first pressings that came with a bonus disc with 3 live songs on it. This was just his second album recorded with The Attractions and it came out in 1979, so I was 17 at the time. Elvis Costello is such a brilliant songwriter; his melodies are so infectious that it can be easy to overlook just how clever his lyrics are. Some of my favorites off this album include Accidents Will Happen, Party Girl, Oliver’s Army, Green Shirt, and Senior Service. His cover of Nick Lowe’s (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding was incredible, too. I have covered it in a couple of bands I have been in, and it is always a blast to play and sing. The live disc had stellar versions of Alison and Watching The Detectives from his first album, and a stripped down piano version of Accidents Will Happen off Armed Forces. This one inspires me still, and probably always will.

Written By Braddon S. Williams