Beyond Belief by Elvis Costello & The Attractions Song Info
"Beyond Belief" is a song written by new wave musician Elvis Costello and recorded by Costello with his backing band the Attractions. The song appeared on Costello's 1982 album, Imperial Bedroom. With vague, hazy lyrics, "Beyond Belief" features an active drum line from a hungover Pete Thomas as well as a frantic vocal line Costello composed after the backing track was completed. Though not released as a single, "Beyond Belief" appeared on several Costello compilation albums and remains a fan favorite. It has been lauded by critics and has made several appearances in Costello's live setlist. "Beyond Belief" was radically rearranged in the studio, largely in response to drummer Pete Thomas' energetic performance. Per Costello: “Pete Thomas arrived at the studio straight from a night of carousing, he confounded all of us by turning in the single inventive take of "Beyond Belief" that transformed the song into the opening track of the record. The strength of Pete's performance meant that I was able to consider a more ambitious and confidential vocal approach. I re-wrote the song over the existing backing track, achieving a more coherent structure.“ In his autobiography, Costello noted that this restructuring of the song's structure over an existing backing track was "unprecedented" for him, concluding that the novelty of such a form of construction was a "real liberation". This strategy influenced Costello to reconsider the vocal lines of other songs on Imperial Bedroom, leading to similar tweaks throughout the sessions.
