| "Riot Act" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Elvis Costello and the Attractions | |
| from the album Get Happy!! | |
| Released | 15 February 1980 |
| Recorded | October 1979 |
| Studio | Eden (London) |
| Genre | New wave |
| Length | 3:35 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) | Elvis Costello |
| Producer(s) | Nick Lowe |
"Riot Act" is a song written by new wave musician Elvis Costello and performed by Costello and the Attractions for his 1980 album Get Happy!!. Costello wrote the song as a response to the controversy that had surrounded him in his professional and personal life, particularly relating to his incident in Columbus, Ohio. Recorded originally as a stripped-down acoustic demo, the song was fleshed out in the studio with the Attractions.
"Riot Act" was released on Get Happy!! as an album track and did not get released as a single. Since its release, the song has appeared on numerous compilations and has been praised by critics as a highlight from the Get Happy!! album.