Best THREE Elvis Costello songs?

[studio150]

I think it would have been better to have a thread which was Elvis Costello's top 50 songs and even that would be a struggle. I am going to ignore any cover versions mainly because I just dont get why people go mad over his cover of 'She'.

Just to open the debate further I have ignored the first albums although many great songs there and have come up with:

45
13 Steps
Monkey to man

How about his top 3 albums another difficult one

 

[HantsSeagull]

Didnt realise he had made 3 records shows out of touch I am with minor performers.

you really are a prize ignoramus - got nothing to say (i realise you have something spurious and stupid to say about everything), then stay off the thread.

 

[BN9 BHA]

Didnt realise he had made 3 records shows out of touch I am with minor performers.

Have you not listened to a radio since 1977?
Minor performers

 

[Stato]

I am going to ignore any cover versions mainly because I just dont get why people go mad over his cover of 'She'.

He's pretty damn good at covers too. I could never narrow this down to three either. Top ten off the top of my head:

What's so Funny 'Bout Peace Love and Understanding,
I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down,
Good Year For The Roses,
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood,
My Funny Valentine,
Leave My Kitten Alone,
Nothing At The End Of The Rainbow,
Sweet Dreams,
Getting Mighty Crowded,
I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself.

 

[studio150]

He's pretty damn good at covers too. I could never narrow this down to three either. Top ten off the top of my head:

What's so Funny 'Bout Peace Love and Understanding,
I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down,
Good Year For The Roses,
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood,
My Funny Valentine,
Leave My Kitten Alone,
Nothing At The End Of The Rainbow,
Sweet Dreams,
Getting Mighty Crowded,
I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself.

Dont disagree the Kodjak variety album is one id thw best cover albums around particularly the expanded version a really good choice if songs

 

[HantsSeagull]

He's pretty damn good at covers too. I could never narrow this down to three either. Top ten off the top of my head:

What's so Funny 'Bout Peace Love and Understanding,
I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down,
Good Year For The Roses,
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood,
My Funny Valentine,
Leave My Kitten Alone,
Nothing At The End Of The Rainbow,
Sweet Dreams,
Getting Mighty Crowded,
I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself.

first time I saw him live was at The Dome in 79/80 (?) - he did an amazing cover version of Randy Crawfords 'One Day I will Fly Away'

 

[Binney on acid]

Three? I'd struggle to name one.

 

[Miami Seagull]

Outstanding talent, difficult to pick top 3 but here goes:

1. Man Out of Time
2. What's so funny 'bout Peace Love and Understanding
3. I Cant Stand Up for Falling Down

His version of Aznavour's "Elle' which was on the Notting Hill soundtrack also outstanding. Fantastic live. One of the best singer songwriters of our time, he tops my list along with Dylan.