Just six months after King of America hit shelves, Elvis Costello released another full-length album, 1986’s Blood & Chocolate.
I wish I’d been a fan at that point because I can’t imagine the glee with which this release must have been met right on the heels of its classic predecessor.
Costello has always been a prolific artist but putting out two of his best albums within half a year of each other is an embarrassment of riches.
Blood & Chocolate is a decidedly different album than King of America. While the latter is steeped in the country and folk tradition, this album is straight-up rock and roll. From the first shrieking chords of album opener ‘Uncomplicated,’ this album features some of Costello’s hardest-edged material yet.
In his liner notes for this album, Costello suggests that Columbia Records wanted a heavier album, something closer to his early punk sound, but were not thrilled when he delivered this “pissed off thirty-two year old, divorcee’s version of ‘This Year’s Model.'” I think that’s a pretty good way to describe a very successful record.
Today’s featured song is ‘I Hope You’re Happy Now,’ the album’s second track. With all of the focus on the sound of Blood & Chocolate, it’s easy to lose sight of the album’s lyrics, which I think rank among some of Costello’s very best. Take this song’s “matador with his pork sword” or the great line that “you make him sound like frozen food, his love will last forever.”
This record is full of gems like those.
With his eyes upon the secret places he’d like to undo
Still he knows who knows who and where and how
And I hope you’re happy now
He’s got all the things you need and some that you will never
But you make him sound like frozen food, his love will last forever
Still he knows what you want and what you don’t allow
And I hope you’re happy now
I hope that you’re happy now like you’re supposed to be
And I know that this will hurt you more than it hurts me
He’s acting innocent and proud still you know what he’s after
Like a matador with his pork sword, while we all die of laughter
In his turquoise pajamas and motorcycle hat
I hope you’re happy now because you’ll soon put pay to that
I knew then what I know now I never loved you anyhow
And I hope you’re happy now
Meet Me In Montauk 
Great start to the new year, Clay. This is a pretty great song, as is Tokyo Storm Warning (‘Japanese God-Jesus robots telling teenage fortunes”), but I always felt this album was kind of a step backwards after the expansive country folk vibe of KoA. I like it more as we move along, though, and there were many more unexpected twists to come.
I must admit that I never warmed to this album the way I did to Imperial Bedroom or King of America. About a year ago, though, after having some conversation with Clay where he was touting the record, I gave it a fresh listen and found that it really is quite good. Then again, after that listen, I don’t think I’ve played it again, so perhaps I still haven’t warmed to it.
I think my favorite song on this record is “Blue Chair,” but perhaps that’s because it’s a song I could hear on IB or, with the more acoustic version, on KOA.