Three of the last six Random Weekend decisions have come from Elvis Costello which I suppose makes sense given the law of averages. I have more Costello tunes than tracks by any other artist but Bob Dylan. I guess we can expect a flood of Mr. Zimmerman any time now.

Today’s track is another of the many bonus tracks offered up on the many reissues of Costello’s albums. And to point out the absurd degree of reissuing applied to Costello’s catalog, allow me to submit that this song has appeared in two different incarnations on four different releases.

There is the demo version (heard here) that is available on reissues of Trust and Imperial Bedroom and then completed version available on a different reissue of Imperial Bedroom as well as a reissue of Punch the Clock. That clear?

Here’s Costello’s take on the song:

The third part in the continuing saga of a wandering song. This version was rewritten as a woman’s song with the addition of a bridge and along with “I Turn Around” and “Imperial Bedroom” were sent to Anni-Frid Lyngstad (or “Frida”) for possible inclusion on her first solo album after the break-up of our beloved ABBA. I never found out what she made of this rather odd selection of songs, but I know that her producer, a certain Mr. P. Collins didn’t think much of any of them as I heard it from his own lips. The rest, as they say, is history. Steve played the piano, I added the bass and vocals. What was rescued from this song may be found in its final resting place on the album “Punch The Clock” under the title “The Invisible Man”.