"My Aim Is True" is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello, released on July 22, 1977, through Stiff Records. The album was produced by Nick Lowe, a fellow Stiff artist and musician, and recorded at Pathway Studios in Islington, London, over six four-hour sessions from late 1976 to early 1977.
Initially performing under the name D.P. Costello, Costello adopted the name Elvis as a tribute to Elvis Presley, a change suggested by his label. His image and style were adapted to fit the burgeoning punk rock scene of the time. The backing band on the album was Clover, a California-based country rock group, though they were uncredited on the original release due to contractual issues.
Musically, My Aim Is True is a genre-spanning album that incorporates elements of punk, new wave, and British pub rock, with influences from 1950s rock and roll, R&B, and rockabilly. The album’s lyrics are known for their downbeat tone, exploring themes of revenge, guilt, relationship struggles, and politically charged situations. The original monochrome cover art, featuring Costello in a pigeon-toed stance, was later colorized for reissues.
The album was preceded by three singles that did not chart. By June 1977, Costello had formed a new backing band, the Attractions, to better align with his evolving image. My Aim Is True reached number 14 on the UK Albums Chart in August 1977. The American release, which came in November 1977 via Columbia Records, included the single "Watching the Detectives" and became the biggest-selling import album in U.S. history at that time, peaking at number 32 on the Billboard 200.
Upon release, My Aim Is True received critical acclaim, with particular praise for Costello’s songwriting and musicianship. The album appeared on several year-end lists and has since been regarded as one of Costello’s finest works and one of the greatest debut albums in music history. It has been reissued multiple times, including in 1993, 2001, and 2007, with additional liner notes by Costello.
