Goodbye Cruel World (Elvis Costello album)

Goodbye Cruel World
Two trees on a hill surrounded by blue sky. Two men in white and two men in black stand on the hill.
Studio album by
Elvis Costello and the Attractions
Released18 June 1984 (1984-06-18)
RecordedMarch–April 1984
StudioSarm West (London)
GenrePop
Length44:08
Label
Producer
Elvis Costello and the Attractions chronology
Punch the Clock
(1983) 		Goodbye Cruel World
(1984) 		The Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions
(1985)
Singles from Goodbye Cruel World
  1. "I Wanna Be Loved"
    Released: June 1984
  2. "The Only Flame in Town"
    Released: August 1984

Goodbye Cruel World is the ninth studio album by the English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello, and his eighth with the Attractions—keyboardist Steve Nieve, bassist Bruce Thomas and drummer Pete Thomas (no relation). It was released on 18 June 1984 through F-Beat Records in the United Kingdom and Columbia Records in the United States. Produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, who returned from 1983's Punch the Clock, the album was recorded at London's Sarm West Studios in March 1984 during a period of turmoil for the artist. The problematic sessions included disagreements between Costello and the producers over the album's direction and high tensions amongst the Attractions.

The album features a commercial pop sound in line with music trends of the time. The mostly downbeat lyrics reflect Costello's personal upheavals at the time, including his failing marriage. Daryl Hall and Green Gartside contributed guest vocals to the singles "The Only Flame in Town" and "I Wanna Be Loved", respectively. The cover artwork features Costello and the band on a cliffside against a blue sky, while the title, taken from an obscure 1960s single, was intended as black humour.

Costello supported Goodbye Cruel World through music videos and tours, both solo and with the Attractions. Upon release, the album sold poorly, reaching number 10 in the UK and number 35 in the US. Critically, it received mixed reviews and retrospective reviews consider it one of Costello's weakest releases, most criticising its production as dated. Costello himself expressed disappointment with the record. Critics felt the album's 2004 reissue, featuring stripped-down demo versions, redeemed many of the tracks.