Goodbye Cruel World (Elvis Costello album)
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. 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.
Goodbye Cruel World (Elvis Costello album)
Green Gartside (pictured in 2014) of Scritti Politti sang guest vocals on "I Wanna Be Loved".
Daryl Hall (pictured in 2011), sang guest vocals on "The Only Flame in Town" and appeared in its music video.
The Attractions were an English backing band for the English new wave musician Elvis Costello between 1977 and 1986, and again from 1994 to 1996. They consisted of Steve Nieve (keyboards), Bruce Thomas, and Pete Thomas (drums). They also released one album as an independent entity, without Costello, in 1980.
Costello and the Attractions in 1979. L–R: Pete Thomas, Elvis Costello, Steve Nieve and Bruce Thomas