120,000+ Classic Rock Album Covers Database (1948-2026): Elvis Costello - Almost Blue (1981)

Elvis Costello - Almost Blue (1981)

Tracklist front / back album art covers

🤠 Elvis Costello – Almost Blue (1981)

Release Date: October 23, 1981
Label: F-Beat Records (UK), Columbia Records (US)
Genre: Country, Country Rock
Length: 50:01
Producer: Billy Sherrill

🎵 Almost Blue is the sixth studio album by Elvis Costello, released in 1981. In a surprising move, Costello stepped away from his new wave and rock roots to record a full country covers album.

The record was produced in Nashville by legendary country producer Billy Sherrill and features classic country songs originally recorded by artists like Hank Williams and George Jones.

While the album confused some rock fans at the time, it has since gained appreciation for its authentic country sound and heartfelt performances.

📝 Tracklist

“Why Don't You Love Me (Like You Used to Do)”
“Sweet Dreams”
“Success”
“I'm Your Toy”
“Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down”
“Brown to Blue”
“Good Year for the Roses”
“Sittin' and Thinkin'”
“Colour of the Blues”
“Too Far Gone”
“Honey Hush”
“How Much I’ve Lied”

🎤 Album Credits

Elvis Costello – Vocals
Billy Sherrill – Producer
Nashville session musicians including:
- Buddy Emmons – Pedal Steel Guitar
- Reggie Young – Guitar
- Larrie Londin – Drums

🎶 The album was recorded using traditional Nashville studio musicians, giving the record an authentic classic country sound.

🌟 Most Popular Tracks

Several songs from the album became notable highlights:

“Good Year for the Roses” – One of Costello’s most celebrated cover performances.
“Sweet Dreams” – A haunting version of the classic country ballad.
“Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down” – A lively tribute to classic honky-tonk.
“I'm Your Toy” – Emotional country ballad originally written by Gram Parsons.

💰 Commercial Performance & Legacy

💿 Almost Blue performed well in the UK despite being stylistically different from Costello’s earlier work.

Reached Top 10 on the UK Albums Chart
Helped introduce country music to many rock and new wave fans
Later recognized as one of the earliest country crossover experiments by a new wave artist

🎉 Fun Facts

Elvis Costello recorded the album in Nashville in just a few weeks.
The album cover famously includes a sticker warning that “This album contains country & western music and may cause offense to narrow-minded listeners.”
The project showed Costello’s deep admiration for classic American country songwriting.

🕵️ Trivia

Many songs on the album were originally recorded by legendary country artists including George Jones, Hank Williams, and Charlie Rich.
Producer Billy Sherrill was known for developing the “countrypolitan” Nashville sound.
The album marked one of the first major country crossover projects by a rock artist of the new wave era.

🤔 Did You Know?

Elvis Costello’s real name is Declan Patrick MacManus.
The album title Almost Blue reflects the melancholic themes common in classic country music.
Costello would later explore many different genres, including jazz, classical music, and orchestral pop.