My Aim Is True (49th Anniversary Edition) tells the origin story of how Declan MacManus became Elvis Costello. This expansive 5CD box set features 104 tracks, 52 of them unreleased songs, demos, outtakes, and live performances. The collection also includes a 72 page liner essay by Elvis Costello, with unseen photographs, handwritten lyrics from his notebooks, and diary entries from 1976 as he was making My Aim Is True.

The story is told across 5 CDs:
CD1: My Aim Is True (2026 Remaster): Remastered from the original 1977 analog master tapes
CD2: The Blue Print: Acoustic recordings and demos recorded before My Aim Is True
CD3: The Stranger In The House: How Declan MacManus became Elvis Costello in 28 songs
CD4: Becoming The Attractions: As they took charge of the My Aim Is True songs and then went mad
CD5: Covered In Clover: The first and last time Costello and Clover played My Aim Is True live in 2007

IG1: "Watching The Detectives” (Good Afternoon Broadcast) 

My Aim Is True was released in July 1977. Elvis Costello made an early UK TV appearance on the Mavis Nicholson Show where he preformed an acoustic version of Watching The Detectives, a song that was not on the original release of My Aim Is True. After the single's release in October 1977, Detectives was added to the US release then all future reissues. This is a formative performance for Costello. In the liner notes he writes, "If at heart, I was still ill-at-ease in being the front man of a rock and roll band, I was perfectly happy to answer questions only designed to make me appear less like a freak. The show also gave me the time to perform two songs with solo electric guitar accompaniment, calm and focused versions of “Watching The Detectives” and “Hoover Factory” in which I had space to really put these stories across." 

IG2: "I Turn Around” (Hope & Anchor Studio)  

"Listening to these 1975-76 recordings, is like watching someone walk around a hat shop trying on lids and titfers; some of them didn’t suit me at all, while others could be donned as a disguise for a minute or two," says Costello in his liner notes.  The Blue Print (CD2 of the box set) captures the era of Elvis figuring out who he is going to become. The previously unreleased song "I Turn Around" is from a single solo session at Hope & Anchor Studio in very early ’76. It was recorded by Dave Robinson—the future co-founder of Stiff Records. It one of 52 previously Unreleased songs, demos, outtakes and live performances on the My Aim Is True box set.  

Release Focus Track: "Love Is Gone” (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)  

Elvis Costello recorded my Aim Is True with the US country rock band, Clover as his backing band. Elvis never performed with Clover. Soon he assembled The Attractions as his touring and recording band. On a November night in 2007, Elvis Costello and the members of Clover performed My Aim Is True together at one-off concert in San Francisco. This 21 song concert has never been released and has been mixed from the multis by Sebastian Krys. Elvis says, "There was even time for, “Love Is Gone”, the Alex Call song, I had first heard Nick Lowe play with Brinsley Schwarz, not long before he wrote,“(What’s So Funny ’Bout) Peace, Love & Unders- tanding” which seemed like the perfect number to close the show." "Love Is Gone" originally appeared on Clover's 1971 released. 

5CD Tracklist:

CD1 My Aim Is True (2026 Remaster)

1. Welcome To The Working Week - 2026 Remaster

2. Miracle Man - 2026 Remaster

3. No Dancing - 2026 Remaster

4. Blame It On Cain - 2026 Remaster

5. Alison - 2026 Remaster

6. Sneaky Feelings - 2026 Remaster

7. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes - 2026 Remaster

8. Less Than Zero - 2026 Remaster

9. Mystery Dance - 2026 Remaster

10. Pay It Back - 2026 Remaster

11. I'm Not Angry - 2026 Remaster

12. Waiting For The End Of The World - 2026 Remaster

13. Watching The Detectives - Single Version

CD2: The Blue Print

1. I Turn Around - Hope & Anchor Studio

2. Losing You - Hope & Anchor Studio

3. Leverman - Hope & Anchor Studio

4. Citizen Junction - Hope & Anchor Studio

5. I Hear A Melody - Pathway Studios

6. Poison Moon - Bedroom Recording

7. Wave A White Flag - Bedroom Recording

8. Mercury Wings - Ms. Dore’s Tape

9. Jump Up - Hope & Anchor Studio

10. No Star - Hope & Anchor Studio

11. Walk On - Hope & Anchor Studio

12. Radio Soul - Hope & Anchor Studio

13. Clean Money - Hope & Anchor Studio

14. Don’t Put A Levy On My Love - Hope & Anchor Studio

15. Play It Safe - Hope & Anchor Studio

16. Imagination (Is A Powerful Deceiver) - Hope & Anchor Studio

17. I Can’t Turn It Off - Hope & Anchor Studio

CD3: The Stranger In The House

1. Radio Sweetheart - My Aim Is True Outtake

2. Cheap Reward - Bedroom Recording

3. Mystery Dance - Bedroom Recording

4. Stranger In The House - My Aim Is True Outtake

5. Running Out Of Angels - Hope & Anchor Studio

6. Just Like A Jukebox - Hope & Anchor Studio

7. I Don’t Want To Go Home - Pathway Studios

8. Blame It On Cain - Bedroom Recording

9. Blue Minute - Ms. Dore’s Tape

10. Pay It Back - Bedroom Recording

11. Exiles Road - Flip City - Hope & Anchor Studio

12. Knockin' On Heaven’s Door - Flip City - Hope & Anchor Studio

13. Sweet Revival - Flip City - Hope & Anchor Studio

14. Pay It Back - Flip City - Hope & Anchor Studio

15. Imagination (Is A Powerful Deceiver) - Flip City - Hope & Anchor Studio

16. Living In Paradise - Hope & Anchor Studio

17. Welcome To The Working Week - Pathway Studios

18. Miracle Man - Bedroom Recording

19. Miracle Man - Pathway Studios

20. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes - Ms. Dore’s Tape

21. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes - Pathway Studios

22. Waiting For The End Of The World - Pathway Studios

23. Living In Paradise - My Aim Is True Outtake

24. Call On Me - Pathway Studios

25. Watching The Detectives - Pathway Studios Trio Version

26. No Action - Pathway Studios Trio Version

27. Poison Moon - Ms. Dore’s Tape

28. Stranger In The House - Ms. Dore’s Tape

CD4: Becoming The Attractions

1. Alison - What’s On Granada Reports

2. Introduction By Dave Robinson - Live, The Nashville Room

3. Mystery Dance - Live, The Nashville Room

4. Pay It Back - Soundcheck, The Nashville Room

5. Radio Sweetheart - Soundcheck, The Nashville Room

6. Sneaky Feelings - Soundcheck, The Nashville Room

7. Crawling To The U.S.A. - Soundcheck, The Nashville Room

8. Lip Service - Pathway Studios

9. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes- with Introduction Top Of The Pops

10. Interview No. 1 - Good Afternoon with Mavis Nicholson

11. Watching The Detectives - Good Afternoon Broadcast 

12. Interview No. 2 - Good Afternoon with Mavis Nicholson

13. Hoover Factory - Good Afternoon Rehearsal

14. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself - Live Stiffs, University of East Anglia, Norwich, U.K.

15. Whole Wide World - Live Stiffs, University Of Leicester, Leicester, U.K.

16. KSAN Intro - Old Waldorf, San Francisco, CA

17. Pump It Up - Old Waldorf, San Francisco, CA

18. Lip Service - Unknown Field Recording

19. Mystery Dance - Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA

20. Blame It On Cain - Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA

21. Less Than Zero (Dallas Version) - Warner Theater, Washington D.C.

22. Waiting For The End Of The World - The Agora Ballroom, Cleveland, OH

23. Miracle Man - Warner Theater, Washington D.C. 

24. Watching The Detectives - Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA 

25. I’m Not Angry - Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA

CD5: Covered In Clover

1. Welcome To The Working Week (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)
2. Miracle Man (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)
3. No Dancing (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)
4. Intro to Blame It On Cain (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)
5. Blame It On Cain (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)
6. Alison (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)
7. Intro To Sneaky Feelings (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)
8. Sneaky Feelings (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)
9. Intro To Red Shoes (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)
10. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)
11. Less Than Zero (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)
12. Mystery Dance (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)
13. Pay It Back (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)
14. I'm Not Angry (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)
15. Waiting For The End Of The World / Gloria (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)
16. Watching The Detectives (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)
17. Mr. Moon (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)
18. Intro To The Love Trilogy (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)
19. Love Has No Pride (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)
20. Love Is Gone (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)
21. (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

Tracklist:

CD1 My Aim Is True (2026 Remaster)

1. Welcome To The Working Week - 2026 Remaster

2. Miracle Man - 2026 Remaster

3. No Dancing - 2026 Remaster

4. Blame It On Cain - 2026 Remaster

5. Alison - 2026 Remaster

6. Sneaky Feelings - 2026 Remaster

7. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes - 2026 Remaster

8. Less Than Zero - 2026 Remaster

9. Mystery Dance - 2026 Remaster

10. Pay It Back - 2026 Remaster

11. I'm Not Angry - 2026 Remaster

12. Waiting For The End Of The World - 2026 Remaster

13. Watching The Detectives - Single Version

CD2: The Blue Print

1. I Turn Around - Hope & Anchor Studio

2. Losing You - Hope & Anchor Studio

3. Leverman - Hope & Anchor Studio

4. Citizen Junction - Hope & Anchor Studio

5. I Hear A Melody - Pathway Studios

6. Poison Moon - Bedroom Recording

7. Wave A White Flag - Bedroom Recording

8. Mercury Wings - Ms. Dore’s Tape

9. Jump Up - Hope & Anchor Studio

10. No Star - Hope & Anchor Studio

11. Walk On - Hope & Anchor Studio

12. Radio Soul - Hope & Anchor Studio

13. Clean Money - Hope & Anchor Studio

14. Don’t Put A Levy On My Love - Hope & Anchor Studio

15. Play It Safe - Hope & Anchor Studio

16. Imagination (Is A Powerful Deceiver) - Hope & Anchor Studio

17. I Can’t Turn It Off - Hope & Anchor Studio

CD3: The Stranger In The House

1. Radio Sweetheart - My Aim Is True Outtake

2. Cheap Reward - Bedroom Recording

3. Mystery Dance - Bedroom Recording

4. Stranger In The House - My Aim Is True Outtake

5. Running Out Of Angels - Hope & Anchor Studio

6. Just Like A Jukebox - Hope & Anchor Studio

7. I Don’t Want To Go Home - Pathway Studios

8. Blame It On Cain - Bedroom Recording

9. Blue Minute - Ms. Dore’s Tape

10. Pay It Back - Bedroom Recording

11. Exiles Road - Flip City - Hope & Anchor Studio

12. Knockin' On Heaven’s Door - Flip City - Hope & Anchor Studio

13. Sweet Revival - Flip City - Hope & Anchor Studio

14. Pay It Back - Flip City - Hope & Anchor Studio

15. Imagination (Is A Powerful Deceiver) - Flip City - Hope & Anchor Studio

16. Living In Paradise - Hope & Anchor Studio

17. Welcome To The Working Week - Pathway Studios

18. Miracle Man - Bedroom Recording

19. Miracle Man - Pathway Studios

20. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes - Ms. Dore’s Tape

21. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes - Pathway Studios

22. Waiting For The End Of The World - Pathway Studios

23. Living In Paradise - My Aim Is True Outtake

24. Call On Me - Pathway Studios

25. Watching The Detectives - Pathway Studios Trio Version

26. No Action - Pathway Studios Trio Version

27. Poison Moon - Ms. Dore’s Tape

28. Stranger In The House - Ms. Dore’s Tape

CD4: Becoming The Attractions

1. Alison - What’s On Granada Reports

2. Introduction By Dave Robinson - Live, The Nashville Room

3. Mystery Dance - Live, The Nashville Room

4. Pay It Back - Soundcheck, The Nashville Room

5. Radio Sweetheart - Soundcheck, The Nashville Room

6. Sneaky Feelings - Soundcheck, The Nashville Room

7. Crawling To The U.S.A. - Soundcheck, The Nashville Room

8. Lip Service - Pathway Studios

9. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes- with Introduction Top Of The Pops

10. Interview No. 1 - Good Afternoon with Mavis Nicholson

11. Watching The Detectives - Good Afternoon Broadcast

12. Interview No. 2 - Good Afternoon with Mavis Nicholson

13. Hoover Factory - Good Afternoon Rehearsal

14. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself - Live Stiffs, University of East Anglia, Norwich, U.K.

15. Whole Wide World - Live Stiffs, University Of Leicester, Leicester, U.K.

16. KSAN Intro - Old Waldorf, San Francisco, CA

17. Pump It Up - Old Waldorf, San Francisco, CA

18. Lip Service - Unknown Field Recording

19. Mystery Dance - Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA

20. Blame It On Cain - Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA

21. Less Than Zero (Dallas Version) - Warner Theater, Washington D.C.

22. Waiting For The End Of The World - The Agora Ballroom, Cleveland, OH

23. Miracle Man - Warner Theater, Washington D.C.

24. Watching The Detectives - Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA

25. I’m Not Angry - Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA

CD5: Covered In Clover

Welcome To The Working Week (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

Miracle Man (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

No Dancing (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

Intro to Blame It On Cain (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

Blame It On Cain (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

Alison (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

Intro To Sneaky Feelings (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

Sneaky Feelings (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

Intro To Red Shoes (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

Less Than Zero (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

Mystery Dance (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

Pay It Back (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

I'm Not Angry (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

Waiting For The End Of The World / Gloria (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

Watching The Detectives (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

Mr. Moon (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

Intro To The Love Trilogy (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

Love Has No Pride (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

Love Is Gone (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)

(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding (Live - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - November 8, 2007)