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Elvis Costello — This Year's Girl
Album: This Year's Model
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1803









Released: 1978
Length: 3:16
Plays (last 30 days): 4
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See her picture in a thousand places
'Cause she's this year's girl
You think you all own little pieces
Of this year's girl
Forget your fancy manners
Forget your English grammar
'Cause you don't really give a damn
About this year's girl

Still you're hoping that she's well spoken
'Cause she's this year's girl
You want her broken with her mouth wide open
'Cause she's this year's girl
Never knowing it's a real attraction
All these promises of satisfaction
While she's being bored to distraction
Being this year's girl

Time's running out
She's not happy with the cost
There'd be no doubt
Only she's forgotten much more than she's lost

A bright spark might corner the market
In this year's girl
You see yourself rolling on the carpet
With this year's girl
Those disco synthesizers
Those daily tranquilizers
Those body building prizes
Those bedroom alibis
All this, but no surprises for this year's girl
All this, but no surprises for this year's girl
All this, but no surprises for this year's girl
Comments (91)add comment
Love it.
Posted 3 weeks ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
I’ve literally heard this song 30 times here on RP?!?  WTF?. I liked now starting to hate. Same as numerous other songs!  How many other EC songs are r there?  Bored of this
Posted 1 month ago by Rcallinjr    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:


I am so there with you on this! 

Just today a physical therapist named Amanda came to work with my dad. She told us that when she was little, her dad used to sing some song with "Mandy" in it. So  I asked, "And Mandy came and gave without taking, but I sent her away O Mandy..."? She groaned and nodded her head. 

The Barry Manilow scars never fully heal over. 


Ugh.  One of the first records I ever received as a "gift" was Barry Manilow Live- from my mom of course.  I think she was trying to steer me in a direction away from left of the dial.
Posted 6 months ago by PatfromXenia    [ Reply ]
Cool song by Elvis but this has been played a bunch lately on RP.  There are so many other great ones by him, though.  Mix it up a little.
Posted 6 months ago by PatfromXenia    [ Reply ]
Those rocking, primitive and wacky syncopations, quirky rhythms and odd deliveries, also showing up in Talking Heads, Television, and B-52s then were SO FAR AHEAD of the times, and I dig how QOTSA, Spoon and others are into them again...  Me, too! Thanks, RP!
Posted 8 months ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:

The Barry Manilow scars never fully heal over. 

"You deserve a break today…"
Posted 1 year ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
GREAT TUNE!  I love the cheesy VOX Jaguar /Farfisa  organ sound!!  Thanx RP!   
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
The ROCKING music we had in our cars in those days! And with such wild, ON-the-BEAT! artists like EC, The Cars, The Pretenders, Cheap Trick, Talking Heads, etc. we had it made, partying the days and nights away; cruising, jamming tunes, Frisbee, beer, and weed...
Posted 1 year ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
I grin and bear this 
Posted 1 year ago by NE14_paradise    [ Reply ]
8?! What was I thinking - easy 9 (dare I say 10) when you consider it was 1978 and the swirl at that time. 
Posted 1 year ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Elvis Costello is always fantastic… all of it. A real artist with amazing songwriting skills and a library of songs that will last forever.
Posted 1 year ago by tm    [ Reply ]
 Steely_D wrote:

Elvis, Tom Petty, Devo, Pretenders - they were a machete cutting through Muskrat Love and Afternoon Delight and Pina Colada Song. Being in college during this was magical.

and you don't really give a damn about this year's girl... 



I am so there with you on this! 

Just today a physical therapist named Amanda came to work with my dad. She told us that when she was little, her dad used to sing some song with "Mandy" in it. So  I asked, "And Mandy came and gave without taking, but I sent her away O Mandy..."? She groaned and nodded her head. 

The Barry Manilow scars never fully heal over. 
Posted 1 year ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
I think he really needs Jessie's Girl
Posted 1 year ago by fncll    [ Reply ]
This is a seminal piece of art for me. 28, MBA journey, mother who was a voice major and this one off voice blew me away. Terrific album. And for those who denigrate his voice, dare ya to check out his masterpiece with Burt Bacharach " Painted From Memory"
Posted 2 years ago by k_trout    [ Reply ]
Ahh Elvis...back before you decided that you really are "that cool"...the days before the bloat set in....you were pretty good then...
Posted 3 years ago by sfoster66    [ Reply ]
One of the most special voices in pop biz, I would say.
And by "special" I mean: Wow, it blew me away the first time I heard it and keeps doing so. 

(Not to mention the great variety of styles he can handle!
Try out playing "This is hell" any time something at work really brings you down... the first few seconds put a grin on your face right away ;))
Posted 3 years ago by trogel    [ Reply ]
Pure Pop Perfection
Posted 3 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Oh just get over it. That’s ur thing. A lot of the world thought / think he’s v innovative. I’m one Relax and enjoy how a young guy in the 70s built really solid songs. Poppy AND edgy. Few did that. Few have done that Peace
Posted 3 years ago by Montreal_Mort    [ Reply ]
I really hate this guy's music, I don't really know why.  Everything about it irritates me, not just the voice. Every time I hear it playing, I just need to check if I gave it 1 already.

For those of you that love him and hate the people who don't, you got to understand that different people can have different  music taste.
Posted 3 years ago by MA    [ Reply ]
 jp33442 wrote:
Just bumped this to 7
 
Me too!
Posted 4 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:

People who complain about the voice of an artist just aren't real music fans.  Their approach to music is facile.   They miss the composition, the melody, the writing, the social commentary. 

In short... the artistry.
 

So true.  If they had to get discovered on Idol Tom Petty, Dylan and Neil Young would have never made it past the audition.
Posted 4 years ago by bpemby    [ Reply ]
Just bumped this to 7
Posted 4 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
 Wizzuvvoz wrote:
sweeeeeet....
a fine song from an album that is (in a way) perfect.  Like few others (I think)
 

Yes, someone else noticed!
Posted 5 years ago by dtl    [ Reply ]
The bass playing though...  !!!
Posted 5 years ago by curtlichter    [ Reply ]
Interesting they chose this for the theme song of HBO's The Deuce TV show
Posted 5 years ago by ToddyWoddy    [ Reply ]
 MattRudely wrote:
I always wondered (without looking it up) if he chose that name for good attention or bad.
 Regardless, it fits better on an album cover...

Declan Patrick Aloysius Macmanus

c.



Posted 5 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:

People who complain about the voice of an artist just aren't real music fans.  Their approach to music is facile.   They miss the composition, the melody, the writing, the social commentary. 

In short... the artistry.
 
Love anything by him between this station and WFMU it has broaden my musical tastes 
Posted 5 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
 bronorb wrote:

If you weren't young in the 70's and 80's you wouldn't get it. Elvis was smack dab in the middle of the new wave thing. He was very new and interesting.
 
People who complain about the voice of an artist just aren't real music fans.  Their approach to music is facile.   They miss the composition, the melody, the writing, the social commentary. 

In short... the artistry.
Posted 5 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
I like Elvis. He just does his thing and sounds like no other. Good in my books!
Posted 5 years ago by BCarn    [ Reply ]
I always wondered (without looking it up) if he chose that name for good attention or bad.
Posted 5 years ago by MattRudely    [ Reply ]
Nice segue from I Saw Her Standing There!
Posted 5 years ago by AbileneTexas    [ Reply ]
 Steely_D wrote:
Elvis, Tom Petty, Devo, Pretenders - they were a machete cutting through Muskrat Love and Afternoon Delight and Pina Colada Song. Being in college during this was magical.

and you don't really give a damn about this year's girl... 
 

When I was in college I used to playfully argue with a guy at work about Elvis and Dylan (who was best - he didn't like Dylan). I didn't get Elvis yet... it was Imperial Bedroom that woke me up. I think of that co-worker often - he'd laugh knowing I have almost all of Elvis' albums now. 
Posted 5 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
It gets an '8' just for being there at the beginning, and another +1 for how fresh it still sounds.
Posted 5 years ago by Sam_Hill    [ Reply ]
Brilliantly used as the Season 2 theme song for "The Deuce", remixed with Natalie Bergman from Wild Belle singing the 2nd verse and a few later lines as well.  It all works.

Just found this tidbit from the Wiki entry for "This Year's Model".  It looks like The Dude was not the only guy who "Hated the F*CKIN' Eagles, Man" back in the day:

About the photo session, photographer Chris Gabrin's words

"The concept of him behind a camera for the sleeve of This Year's Model had already been chosen, so I decided to equip Elvis with exactly the same tripod and camera as I was using to create a 'mirror' for him. Alongside a powerful stereo I kept a large record collection at my Camden Studio, and artists would choose music they enjoyed or were interested in for their sessions. Just as we were about to start shooting, Elvis asked me if I had "Hotel California" by The Eagles, and could I play it? I was puzzled by his choice – until he told me that he loathed the record, but wanted to look really pissed off and angry in the shots! We played the record several times during the session and whilst I directed him, I was also aware of his copying some of my own actions as I took the photographs."





Posted 6 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
Brilliant!  The best example I know of someone trying to imitate someone else, but ending up his own unique self and we're all better for it.
Posted 6 years ago by meatmike    [ Reply ]
Brilliant! And as relevant now as ever. 
Posted 6 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
HOORAH! How can Costello and Travis be played in same hour? I guess it goes to show that it takes all sorts...
Posted 7 years ago by redmachine    [ Reply ]
Elvis, Tom Petty, Devo, Pretenders - they were a machete cutting through Muskrat Love and Afternoon Delight and Pina Colada Song. Being in college during this was magical.

and you don't really give a damn about this year's girl... 
Posted 7 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
 Kilroy wrote:
6.5? Come on, RP Listeners - this song is brilliant. Sad!

 
Yes, a pity. It's because of Elvis' haters, people who say they can't bear the way he sings when the same people praise Robert Zimmerman.
Posted 7 years ago by CoYoT51    [ Reply ]
 Kilroy wrote:
6.5? Come on, RP Listeners - this song is brilliant. Sad!

 
+1
Posted 7 years ago by lasker98    [ Reply ]
 VV wrote:
I think Bill has a full-blown man-crush on Elvis C.

 
And I have a full-blown man crush on anyone who plays this song. Watch out, Rebecca!  {#Roflol}

But anyways...how did Declan manage to get what turned out to be one of the best Rn'R bass players in his band? That's a lot of what made them so good.
Posted 8 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
6.5? Come on, RP Listeners - this song is brilliant. Sad!
Posted 8 years ago by Ipse_Dixit    [ Reply ]
I think Bill has a full-blown man-crush on Elvis C.
Posted 8 years ago by VV    [ Reply ]

                        Spread, There could be pheromones below, below
              
                                      I really do hope you know
                                  This town doesn't need interpreters
          By then I'd snake eyes looking please may I loose some skin.
                I was very disappointed with Your highness kith and kin.
         Never was so easy to say something silly as mmm line on line.
     
         
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
 msymmes wrote:
Sadly, he didn't know that in 2013, this year's girl would be a Hollywood slut named Miley.
 

 
Oh, he knew.
Posted 9 years ago by wgsu_1978    [ Reply ]
For a moment I thought it was the intro of  U2's 'Gloria; boom, thump, thump, boom, thump, thump
Posted 9 years ago by Ghiaap    [ Reply ]
Those disco synthesizers
Those daily tranquilizers
Those body building prizes
Those bedroom alibizes


Posted 9 years ago by nek    [ Reply ]

Posted 9 years ago by ekin    [ Reply ]

Sorry, but Elvis C is much worse than nails on a chalk board for me. And now he's the GOM of rock on the interview circuit,

Whoodathunkit?


Posted 9 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Excellent tune from arguably his best album IMHO.  Fantastic!
Posted 10 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Agree 100%
 
creekgirl wrote:
One of my all-time favorite albums!  Surely one of the most brilliant lyricists of our times!

 


Posted 10 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
Sadly, he didn't know that in 2013, this year's girl would be a Hollywood slut named Miley.
 
Posted 10 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
This song would be great if the chorus wasn't so weak. 7.
Posted 10 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
 Wizzo_oz wrote:
I don't get the 6.5 average at all. Minus "Little Triggers", I give the whole album (through and through) about an 8 doubleplus.

 
You said it right, man!
Posted 11 years ago by CoYoT51    [ Reply ]
I don't get the 6.5 average at all. Minus "Little Triggers", I give the whole album (through and through) about an 8 doubleplus.
Posted 11 years ago by Wizzo_oz    [ Reply ]
 yardsale wrote:
Awesome bass work throughout this album.


 
{#Notworthy} This guy is a hero of mine.
Posted 11 years ago by FrnaZ    [ Reply ]
Nice one, U2's Seconds into U2's Gloria......oh no, it's Elvis Costello
Posted 11 years ago by Ghiaap    [ Reply ]
 creekgirl wrote:
One of my all-time favorite albums!  Surely one of the most brilliant lyricists of our times!
 
Mine too. EC provided a huge breath of fresh air with both This Year's Model and Armed Forces in 1978. I have most of his albums over the years, but TYM is my favorite.
Posted 11 years ago by rado    [ Reply ]
Endlessly rocking, he's one of THE most talented R&R/Pop musicians of all time.  Elvis C. is STILL King!
Posted 12 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
One of my all-time favorite albums!  Surely one of the most brilliant lyricists of our times!
Posted 12 years ago by creekgirl    [ Reply ]
{#Music}   
Posted 13 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
 treatment_bound wrote:

It was a joke!!  I love This Year's Model ( & the song "This Year's Girl"), and think Snorlax was out to lunch on his comment as well.  Every once in awhile, I'll even throw on the vinyl slab when I'm down in the basement killing spiders.

I saw Declan Mc. on that tour & the Armed Forces assault, somewhere in St. Paul for the 2nd one, and I can't even remember where.  All I can summon up from my (bad) memory bank is that "Lipstick Vogue" blew me away & he was wearing a green smoking jacket that night.

tb

P.S.-I'm not even sure synthesizers were used on "A Fifth of Beethoven", but thankfully it was the only disco instrumental I could think of.

P.S.S.-You may be happy to know that Snorlax75 (and his off-base jab for this cut) signed up to Radio Paradise last January, commented on 5 other songs over 2 days (throwing Richie Havens, Lee Oscar, and CSN&Y along with E.C. under the bus), and seems to have perished into the internet radio abyss. 
 
You got me. {#Lol} I was trying to figure out how you came up with that bizarre list.  Good one.{#Cheers}

Posted 14 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 treatment_bound wrote:


I keep waiting for Snorlax75 to reply:

You know, all those songs about/with 1) disco synthesizers, 2) daily tranquilizers, & 3) bedroom alibis!

Off the top of my head, I came up with:

1) A Fifth of Beethoven by Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band
2) Mother's Little Helper by The Rolling Stones
3) Get Outta My Room by The Donnas

THERE'S 3 THAT ARE EXACTLY LIKE This Year's Girl!
 
So, chords, lyrics and tempo don't matter when looking for exactness?  A Fifth of Beethoven?! 


Posted 14 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

So, chords, lyrics and tempo don't matter when looking for exactness?  A Fifth of Beethoven?! 
 
It was a joke!!  I love This Year's Model ( & the song "This Year's Girl"), and think Snorlax was out to lunch on his comment as well.  Every once in awhile, I'll even throw on the vinyl slab when I'm down in the basement killing spiders.

I saw Declan Mc. on that tour & the Armed Forces assault, somewhere in St. Paul for the 2nd one, and I can't even remember where.  All I can summon up from my (bad) memory bank is that "Lipstick Vogue" blew me away & he was wearing a green smoking jacket that night.

tb

P.S.-I'm not even sure synthesizers were used on "A Fifth of Beethoven", but thankfully it was the only disco instrumental I could think of.

P.S.S.-You may be happy to know that Snorlax75 (and his off-base jab for this cut) signed up to Radio Paradise last January, commented on 5 other songs over 2 days (throwing Richie Havens, Lee Oscar, and CSN&Y along with E.C. under the bus), and seems to have perished into the internet radio abyss. 
Posted 14 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

One thousand songs "just like this"?  Name five or six of them.
 

I keep waiting for Snorlax75 to reply:

You know, all those songs about/with 1) disco synthesizers, 2) daily tranquilizers, & 3) bedroom alibis!

Off the top of my head, I came up with:

1) A Fifth of Beethoven by Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band
2) Mother's Little Helper by The Rolling Stones
3) Get Outta My Room by The Donnas

THERE'S 3 THAT ARE EXACTLY LIKE This Year's Girl!


Posted 14 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
people love to hate on EC's voice

Personally, I like it, as I like most all of his music.  There's a load of talent behind that "irritating voice".
Posted 14 years ago by Queue    [ Reply ]
 snorlax75 wrote:
there are at least 1,000 songs just like this.

 
One thousand songs "just like this"?  Name five or six of them.


Posted 14 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Nice of Elvis to borrow the "Ticket To Ride" Drum rhythm part at the beginning. Very original. Kinda blah tune with the exception of the really unique drum segue at the beginning. 
Posted 14 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
ELVIS, THE KING!   Well, the living one.

Then....

peter_james_bond wrote:
What a great set of music: Elvis Costello - This Year's Girl
U2 - Seconds
Led Zeppelin -Rock and Roll



are we on repeat from June?

enjoying the tunes though...


This was wrtitten in March.   Bill must be on holidays, buddies!

Posted 14 years ago by CoYoT51    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:
What a great set of music: Elvis Costello - This Year's Girl
U2 - Seconds
Led Zeppelin -Rock and Roll

{#Notworthy}
 
are we on repeat from June?

enjoying the tunes though...

Posted 14 years ago by echasse    [ Reply ]
I have this album on vinyl and don't believe I've heard this cool song since ... vinyl.
Posted 14 years ago by Tana    [ Reply ]
 snorlax75 wrote:
there are at least 1,000 songs just like this.


I believe you are not thinking properly. There is NO ONE like EC.

Think again.

Posted 14 years ago by figi    [ Reply ]
there are at least 1,000 songs just like this.

Posted 14 years ago by snorlax75    [ Reply ]
Easily one of my favorite EC songs. Perfection imo.
Posted 15 years ago by Rick_V    [ Reply ]
A dose of Elvis is nice.
Posted 15 years ago by reedifus    [ Reply ]
Wow!  Great segue from U2's Seconds.
Posted 15 years ago by joan_c    [ Reply ]
 dmax wrote:
those body building prizes
those nightly tranquilizers
those bed room alibis
all this
and no surprises
cause she's this year's girl

Man, I wish someone would write this smart again. 
 
{#High-five} Brilliant isn't it? What a great album!
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
I've always thought Elvis has a constipated voice.
Posted 15 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
Awesome bass work throughout this album.

Posted 15 years ago by yardsale    [ Reply ]
sweeeeeet....
a fine song from an album that is (in a way) perfect.  Like few others (I think)
Posted 15 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
What a great set of music: Elvis Costello - This Year's Girl
U2 - Seconds
Led Zeppelin -Rock and Roll

{#Notworthy}
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
 wrangler wrote:
elvis costello = automatic 1 or 2 rating.  i just don't get this guy's appeal, one of the most annoying voices ever to be recorded.
 
If you weren't young in the 70's and 80's you wouldn't get it. Elvis was smack dab in the middle of the new wave thing. He was very new and interesting.
Posted 15 years ago by bronorb    [ Reply ]
Putting on my hater hat ...plop....If EC never existed RP's song inventory would be half as big...swoop...hater hat off.

Posted 15 years ago by papaman    [ Reply ]
elvis costello = automatic 1 or 2 rating.  i just don't get this guy's appeal, one of the most annoying voices ever to be recorded.
Posted 15 years ago by wrangler    [ Reply ]
What a great album.
Posted 15 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]

Great tune from EC's most tightly-wound album - amazingly tense and catchy throughout.


Posted 15 years ago by diazo    [ Reply ]
 radiojunkie wrote:
You mean I haven't heard this on RP before? Hard to believe! Classic EC.
 
My thoughts exactly. Love it.

Posted 15 years ago by notremotely    [ Reply ]
You mean I haven't heard this on RP before? Hard to believe! Classic EC.
Posted 15 years ago by radiojunkie    [ Reply ]
I can name this song in 3 notes, or 3 drum beats....{#Drummer}
Posted 15 years ago by cathenley    [ Reply ]
'bout time this showed up in the playlist

oh yeah "First"

Posted 16 years ago by oldman    [ Reply ]