Watching the Detectives

~ Recording by Elvis Costello

Appears on releases

#TitleLengthTrack ArtistRelease TitleRelease ArtistRelease Group TypeCountry/DateLabelCatalog#
Official
1.7Watching the Detectives3:48Elvis CostelloMy Aim Is TrueElvis CostelloAlbum
Columbia (Sony Music, worldwide except JP; formerly owned by CBS between 1938–1990 within US/CA/MX)JC 35037
1.7Watching the Detectives3:48Elvis CostelloMy Aim Is True (made in Japan)Elvis CostelloAlbum
Columbia (Sony Music, worldwide except JP; formerly owned by CBS between 1938–1990 within US/CA/MX)CK 35037
1.1Watching the Detectives3:46Elvis CostelloThe Man: The Best of Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation
Telstar Records (UK, mostly compilations)STAR 2247
1.1Watching the Detectives3:46Elvis CostelloThe Man: The Best of Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation
Telstar Records (UK, mostly compilations)TCD 2247
1.1Watching the Detectives3:46Elvis CostelloThe Man: The Best of Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation
Imp Records (mid-80s UK new wave)FIEND CD 52
1.1Watching the Detectives3:43Elvis CostelloThe Man: The Best of Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation
Demon Records (80s UK new wave/reissues)FIEND 52
1.1Watching the Detectives3:45Elvis CostelloThe Man: The Best of Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation
Liberation Records (Australian, big LIB logo or target behind name, 1981-1999; big L and record logo, 2018-)CDLIB 5112
1.7Watching the Detectives3:48Elvis CostelloMy Aim Is TrueElvis CostelloAlbum
  • GB1988-09-05
1.1Watching the Detectives3:44Elvis CostelloGirls +£÷ Girls =$& Girls: The Songs of Elvis Costello / The Sounds of Elvis Costello & The AttractionsElvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation
Demon Records (80s UK new wave/reissues)D FIEND CD 160, D-FIEND 160
1.1Watching the Detectives3:44Elvis CostelloGirls Girls GirlsElvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation
Columbia (Sony Music, worldwide except JP; formerly owned by CBS between 1938–1990 within US/CA/MX)C2K 46897
1.1Watching the Detectives3:44Elvis CostelloGirls! Girls! Girls!Elvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation
  • -1989
Demon Records (80s UK new wave/reissues)D FIEND CD 160
1.1Watching the Detectives3:44Elvis CostelloGirls! Girls! Girls!Elvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation
  • -1989
Demon Records (80s UK new wave/reissues)D-FIEND 160
1.4Watching the Detectives3:47Elvis CostelloNew WaveVarious ArtistsAlbum + Compilation
  • -1992
Virgin (worldwide imprint of Virgin Records Ltd. and all its subsidiaries)
5.3Watching the Detectives3:44Elvis CostelloThe Rolling Stone Collection: 25 Years of Essential RockVarious ArtistsAlbum + Compilation
Time–Life MusicOPCS-2692, OPCS-2693, OPCS-2694, PT-23707, PT-23708, PT-23709, PT-23710, R102-33
5.3Watching the Detectives3:44Elvis CostelloThe Rolling Stone Collection: 25 Years of Essential RockVarious ArtistsAlbum + Compilation
Time–Life MusicA-23707/R102-34, A-23708/R102-34, A-23709/R102-34, A-23710/R102-34, OPCD-2692/R102-34, OPCD-2693/R102-34, OPCD-2694/R102-34, R102-34
1.13Watching the Detectives3:45Elvis Costello & The Attractions2½ YearsElvis Costello & The AttractionsAlbum + Compilation
  • US1993-10-12
RykodiscRCD-90271/74
1.5Watching the Detectives3:45Elvis CostelloStart: The Best of BritishVarious ArtistsAlbum + Compilation
  • US1994-07-18
Dino EntertainmentDINCD 92
1.12Watching the Detectives3:45Elvis CostelloWas het nu 70 of 80?Various ArtistsAlbum + Compilation
EVA (for use with NL/BE/FR releases only. see annotation)7243 839954 2
1.3Watching the Detectives3:44Elvis CostelloThe Very Best of Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation
Universal Music TV (UK, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited)546 490-2
1.3Watching the Detectives3:44Elvis CostelloThe Very Best of Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation
Universal Music TV (UK, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited)545 103-2 07314MM
1.3Watching the Detectives3:44Elvis CostelloThe Very Best of Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation
Universal Music TV (UK, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited)545 103-2
1.3Watching the Detectives3:44Elvis CostelloThe Very Best of Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation
Universal Music TV (UK, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited)STARCD 6517
1.3Watching the Detectives3:44Elvis CostelloThe Very Best of Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation
Universal Music TV (UK, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited)545 103-2
1.3Watching the Detectives3:44Elvis CostelloThe Very Best of Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation
  • US2001-04-17
Rhino (reissue label)R2 76652
1.13Watching the Detectives3:45Elvis CostelloMy Aim Is TrueElvis CostelloAlbum
  • US2001-08-21
Rhino (reissue label)R2 74285
1.13Watching the Detectives3:45Elvis CostelloMy Aim Is TrueElvis CostelloAlbum
Edsel RecordsMANUS 101
2.3Watching the Detectives3:45Elvis CostelloTeenage KicksVarious ArtistsAlbum + Compilation
  • GB2002-05-27
Universal Music TV (UK, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited)583 264-2
1.5Watching the Detectives3:47Elvis CostelloModern Rock: Lost Hits of the '70sVarious ArtistsAlbum + Compilation
Warner Special Products, Time–Life MusicOPCD-2805, R828-17
1.13Watching the Detectives3:45Elvis CostelloMy Aim Is TrueElvis CostelloAlbum
  • US2007-05-01
Hip‐O RecordsB0008635-02
1.13Watching the Detectives3:46Elvis CostelloMy Aim Is TrueElvis CostelloAlbum
  • US2007-05-01
Hip‐O Records
1.13Watching the Detectives (single version)3:45Elvis CostelloThe First Ten Years (Amazon exclusive edition)Elvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation
  • US2007-05-01
Universal Music Group (has logo with just “Universal Music Group”)
1.2Watching the Detectives3:47Elvis CostelloiTunes OriginalsElvis CostelloAlbum
  • US2007-06-19
  • FR2007-08-06
1.13Watching the Detectives3:50Elvis CostelloMy Aim Is True (deluxe edition)Elvis CostelloAlbum
  • US2007-09-11
Hip‐O RecordsB0009514-02
1.13Watching the Detectives3:50Elvis CostelloMy Aim Is True (deluxe edition)Elvis CostelloAlbum
  • GB2007-10-01
Universal Island Records (not for release label use; a division of Universal Music Operations Limited)1741478
1.3Watching the Detectives3:46Elvis CostelloThe Best of Elvis Costello: The First 10 Years (made in USA by EDC)Elvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation
Hip‐O RecordsB0008640-02
1.3Watching the Detectives3:46Elvis CostelloThe Best of Elvis Costello: The First 10 YearsElvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation
Universal Music Group International (manages UMG's offices in most countries outside of North America)0602517260917
1.7Watching the Detectives3:44Elvis CostelloMy Aim Is TrueElvis CostelloAlbum
Mobile Fidelity Sound LabMFSL 1-329
1.13Watching the Detectives3:46Elvis CostelloBorn Stiff: The Stiff Records CollectionVarious ArtistsAlbum + Compilation
SalvoSALVOCD216
1.13Watching the Detectives3:45Elvis CostelloMy Aim Is TrueElvis CostelloAlbum
  • JP2011-05-25
Universal International (Japanese label; release must say “制作:Universal International” AND have no logos other than “Universal Music”)UIGY 9065
1.13Watching the Detectives (single version)3:46Elvis CostelloMy Aim Is TrueElvis CostelloAlbum
  • XW2015-10-09
Hip‐O Records
1.13Watching the Detectives (single version)3:45Elvis CostelloThe First Ten YearsElvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation
  • US2015-10-09
[no label] (Special purpose label – white labels, self-published releases and other “no label” releases)A10303C100000EI2KW
1.3Watching the Detectives3:46Elvis CostelloUnfaithful Music & Soundtrack AlbumElvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation + Soundtrack
  • US2015-10-23
UMe (imprint of Universal Music Enterprises)B0023881-02
1.3Watching the Detectives3:46Elvis CostelloUnfaithful Music & Soundtrack AlbumElvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation + Soundtrack
  • XE2015-11-06
UMe (imprint of Universal Music Enterprises)
1.3Watching the Detectives3:46Elvis CostelloUnfaithful Music & Soundtrack AlbumElvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation + Soundtrack
UMe (imprint of Universal Music Enterprises)B0023881-02
1.16Watching the Detectives3:45Elvis CostelloNOW That’s What I Call Punk & New WaveVarious ArtistsAlbum + Compilation
  • GB2022-01-21
EMI (EMI Records, since 1972), Sony Music (global brand, excluding JP, owned by Sony Music Entertainment)0194399460726
1.7Watching the Detectives3:45Elvis CostelloMastermix Classic Cuts 91: Spy AnthemsVarious ArtistsAlbum + Compilation
Music Factory (UK promotional remix service started in 1985)CC091
1.7Watching the Detectives3:42Elvis CostelloMy Aim Is TrueElvis CostelloAlbum
VCK-35037
1.7Watching the Detectives3:48Elvis CostelloMy Aim Is TrueElvis CostelloAlbum
Columbia (Sony Music, worldwide except JP; formerly owned by CBS between 1938–1990 within US/CA/MX)CK 35037
1.3Watching the Detectives3:47Elvis CostelloThe Best of Elvis Costello: The First 10 Years (DIDX)Elvis CostelloAlbum + Compilation
Hip‐O RecordsB0008640-02

Relationships

producer:Nick Lowe (UK singer/songwriter/instrumentalist/producer)
recorded at:Pathway Studios in Islington, London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1976)
mash-ups:Wrapped Detective (Elvis Costello vs. The Police vs. Lionel Richie vs. Peggy Lee vs. Bob Marley vs. The Hollies vs. Led Zeppelin) by Go Home Productions
part of:Indie 88: Top 500 Indie Rock Songs (number: 354) (order: 354)
Rolling Stone Magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 355) (order: 355)
recording of:Watching the Detectives

Related works

Watching the Detectives

lyricist and composer:Declan Patrick MacManus
publisher:BMG Music Publishing Ltd.
Universal Music Publishing International MGB Ltd.