Elvis Costello - The Delivery Man (2004)
Tracklist front / back album art covers
📦 Elvis Costello – The Delivery Man (2004)
Release Date: September 21, 2004
Label: Lost Highway Records
Genre: Americana, Roots Rock, Alternative Country
Length: 64:19
Producer: Dennis Herring
🎵 The Delivery Man is the twenty-second studio album by Elvis Costello, blending Americana, Southern soul, country, and roots rock into a dark narrative-driven record. After experimenting with orchestral music earlier in the decade, Costello returned to guitar-driven songwriting and storytelling, creating one of his most atmospheric albums.
The album was recorded in Oxford, Mississippi, and features a loose conceptual storyline involving small-town characters, betrayal, and redemption. Costello collaborated heavily with Lucinda Williams, whose vocals appear on several tracks.
📝 Tracklist
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“Button My Lip”
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“Country Darkness”
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“There’s a Story in Your Voice”
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“The Delivery Man”
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“Monkey to Man”
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“Nothing Clings Like Ivy”
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“The Name of This Thing Is Not Love”
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“Heart Shaped Bruise”
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“She’s Pulling Out the Pin”
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“Needle Time”
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“The Judgment”
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“The Scarlet Tide”
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“The Monkey”
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“The Delivery Man (Alternate Version)”
🎤 Album Credits
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Elvis Costello – Vocals, Guitar
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Lucinda Williams – Guest Vocals
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Emmylou Harris – Guest Vocals on “The Scarlet Tide”
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Dennis Herring – Producer
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Backing musicians from the Mississippi roots music scene
🎶 The recording style emphasizes live instrumentation, raw guitar tones, and soulful vocal performances, creating a gritty Southern atmosphere.
🌟 Most Popular Tracks
Several songs from the album became fan favorites:
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“There’s a Story in Your Voice” – A haunting duet with Lucinda Williams.
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“The Delivery Man” – Title track with dark storytelling and bluesy guitar.
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“Monkey to Man” – Raw blues-rock energy.
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“The Scarlet Tide” – Emotional ballad later featured in the film Cold Mountain.
💰 Commercial Performance & Legacy
💿 The Delivery Man received strong critical acclaim for its storytelling and musical authenticity.
Highlights include:
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Positive reviews from music critics praising its Southern gothic atmosphere
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Recognition as one of Costello’s best Americana-influenced records
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A reputation among fans as a hidden gem in his extensive catalog
While not a huge commercial blockbuster, it strengthened Costello’s credibility within the Americana and roots music communities.
🎉 Fun Facts
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The album was recorded at Sweet Tea Recording Studio, famous for its vintage analog equipment.
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Many songs were recorded live in the studio, giving the album its raw, organic sound.
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Costello wrote some tracks in collaboration with Lucinda Williams, which influenced the album’s Southern tone.
🕵️ Trivia
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The album loosely follows fictional characters living in a troubled Southern town, making it feel almost like a musical short story collection.
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“The Scarlet Tide” was originally written for the Cold Mountain soundtrack and later included on the album.
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Critics often compare the album’s atmosphere to Southern Gothic literature.
🤔 Did You Know?
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Elvis Costello’s real name is Declan Patrick MacManus.
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The album’s blend of country, blues, and rock reflects Costello’s long-time admiration for American roots music.
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Costello later revisited the material in a live reinterpretation album, showing how important the songs remained to him.
Elvis Costello Full Discography
Download Elvis Costello albums from Amazon Music
More Albums:
Elvis Costello - My Aim Is True (1977)
Elvis Costello - This Year's Model (1978)
Elvis Costello - Armed Forces (1979)
Elvis Costello - Get Happy!! (1980)
Elvis Costello - Imperial Bedroom (1982)
Elvis Costello - Goodbye Cruel World (1984)
Elvis Costello - Blood & Chocolate (1986)
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