Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Get Happy!!

Original Release Date

1980

Release Information

UK LP 1980 (F-Beat - XXLP 1)
US LP 1980 (Columbia - JC 36347)

A1 I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down 2:06
A2 Black & White World 1:56
A3 Five Gears In Reverse 2:39
A4 B Movie 2:05
A5 Motel Matches 2:31
A6 Human Touch 2:30
A7 Beaten To The Punch 1:49
A8 Temptation 2:34
A9 I Stand Accused 2:22
A10 Riot Act 3:36
B1 Love For Tender 1:57
B2 Opportunity 3:13
B3 The Imposter 1:58
B4 Secondary Modern 1:58
B5 King Horse 3:01
B6 Possession 2:04
B7 Man Called Uncle 2:18
B8 Clowntime Is Over 3:00
B9 New Amsterdam 2:13
B10 High Fidelity 2:29

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UK 2xCD 2003 (Edsel - MANUS 105) (This edition also issued in the US by Rhino)

Get Happy!!
1 Love For Tender 1:57
2 Opportunity 3:13
3 The Imposter 1:58
4 Secondary Modern 1:58
5 King Horse 3:01
6 Possession 2:03
7 Men Called Uncle 2:17
8 Clowntime Is Over 2:59
9 New Amsterdam 2:12
10 High Fidelity 2:28
11 I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down 2:06
12 Black & White World 1:56
13 5ive Gears In Reverse 2:38
14 B Movie 2:04
15 Motel Matches 2:30
16 Human Touch 2:30
17 Beaten To The Punch 1:49
18 Temptation 2:33
19 I Stand Accused 2:21
20 Riot Act 3:35
Disc Two: Bonus Disc
1 I Stand Accused (Alternate Version) 3:10
2 So Young 3:28
3 Girls Talk 1:56
4 Human Touch (Alternate Version) 2:20
5 Temptation (Alternate Version) 2:28
6 Motel Matches (Alternate Take) 2:27
7 Clowntime Is Over No. 2 3:46
8 B Movie (Alternate Version) 2:26
9 Girls Talk (Alternate Version) 2:03
10 Getting Mighty Crowded 2:09
11 From A Whisper To A Scream (Alternate Version) 2:30
12 Watch Your Step (Alternate Version) 2:02
13 Dr. Luther's Assistant 3:28
14 Ghost Train 3:07
15 New Lace Sleeves (Alternate Version) 3:47
16 Hoover Factory 1:45
17 Just A Memory 2:17
18 I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down (Alternate Version) 2:45
19 New Amsterdam (Alternate Version) 2:31
20 Black & White World (Demo) 1:51
21 Riot Act (Demo) 2:50
22 5ive Gears In Reverse (Demo) 2:33
23 Love For Tender (Demo) 2:07
24 Men Called Uncle (Demo) 2:06
25 King Horse (Demo) 2:45
26 Seven O'Clock (Demo) 2:00
27 High Fidelity (Live) 3:17
28 Opportunity (Live) 2:33
29 The Imposter (Live) 2:11
30 Don't Look Back (Live) 4:41

Chart Placings

UK Chart Hit: 2, 14 wks
US Chart Hit: 11

Credits

Produced by Nick Lowe
Balanced by Roger Bechirian

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2xCD:

Get Happy!! was first issued as F-Beat (UK) (XXLP1) & Columbia (US) #36347 (February 1980)

Produced by Nick Lowe
Engineered by Roger Bechirian
Recorded at Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, Holland & Eden Studios, Acton, London, October 1979.

New Amsterdam
Produced by Elvis Costello
Recorded at Archipelago Studios, Pimlico, London, 1979.

Elvis Costello: guitar, vocals; organ on Possession; all instruments on New Amsterdam
Steve Nieve: piano, organ
Bruce Thomas: bass; harmonica on I Stand Accused
Pete Thomas: drums

Photography: Keith Morris

Mastered by Dan Hersch at DigiPrep

Additional Credits

None yet

Reviews & Opinions

RED STARR, SMASH HITS, MARCH 6 - 19, 1980: The strangest of his albums yet, partly because of the sheer volume - around 60 minutes of 20 short, spartan tracks - and partly because of the odd 60's soul feel that doesn't always do his melodies full justice. Short on truly memorable songs but plenty of passion and repeated plays reveal hidden depths. Interesting. Best tracks: 'Love For Tender', 'Opportunity". (7 out of 10).

PUNKY GIBBON: With twenty songs short songs drawing on Motown and Stax styles, Get Happy!! marks a move away from the new wave. Boring. I hate this record.

Additional Notes

For those who want the album album on CD without a billion bonus tracks, I would direct you to the digipak Hip-O release from 2007, which only has none and appears to be the same master as the 2003 CD.

Images

UK LP 1980 (F-Beat - XXLP 1). Click here for more

US LP 1980 (Columbia - JC 36347). Click here for more

UK 2xCD 2003 (Edsel - MANUS 105). Click here for more