On August 5, 1983, “F-Beat” label released “Punch the Clock”, eighth Elvis Costello album, his seventh with the Attractions. It was recorded January – April 1983, and was produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, assisted by Gavin Greenaway and Colin Fairley. In 2013, “NME” magazine ranked the album at number 345 in its list of “The 100 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

• Elvis Costello – vocals, guitars, synclavier and casiotone
• Steve Nieve– piano, emulator, Fairlight CMI, Vox organ, Hammond organ, synclavier
• Bruce Thomas– electric wal bass guitar
• Pete Thomas– drums, cymbals
• Morris Pert– percussion
• Jim Paterson – trombone
• Jeff Blythe – alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, clarinet
• Paul Speare– tenor saxophone, flute
• Dave Plews – trumpet
• Stewart Robson– trumpet, flugelhorn
• Chet Baker– trumpet
• Afrodiziak (Caron Wheeler, Claudia Fontaine) – backing vocals
• David Bedford– string arrangements

Track listing:

All tracks by Elvis Costello, except where noted.

1. Let Them All Talk
2. Everyday I Write the Book
3. The Greatest Thing
4. The Element Within Her
5. Love Went Mad
6. Shipbuilding – Clive Langer, Elvis Costello
7. K.O. (Boxing Day)
8. Charm School
9. The Invisible Man
10. Mouth Almighty
11. King of Thieves
12. Pills and Soap
13. The World and His Wife