Song · Elvis Costello
“Brilliant Mistake” by Elvis Costello
From the album King of America (1986)
“Brilliant Mistake” by Elvis Costello appears on 8 radio countdowns from 2 stations between 2007 and 2021. It was first released in 1986 on the album King of America. Its best result is #423 on the 90.9 The Bridge Top 909 Songs of the '80s. In the combined RockLists rankings it is #3,902 alternative song of all time.
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"Brilliant Mistake" opens King of America, Elvis Costello's 1986 album, and it sets the tone straight away: a wry, rueful look at America from an Englishman who can't decide whether he's smitten with the place or repelled by it. Costello got the title while talking over his American adventures with David Was of Was (Not Was), and he later explained the song as a study in self-delusion, of dreaming up a life in exile.
The Attractions sat this one out. When his regular band couldn't play it the way he heard it, Costello turned to the Confederates instead, with T-Bone Burnett producing. Critics have warmed to it over the years, and it keeps turning up on his compilations.
Written with AI assistance from RockLists chart data, MusicBrainz and Wikipedia.
RockLists rankings
Alternative & Modern Rock
Indie & Adult Alternative
All Rock Formats
All-time and decade countdowns
| Year | # | Station | Countdown | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 1613 | CD101 | CD101 Top 2008 Songs of All-Time (December 2007) | 2008 |
| 2008 | 1581 | CD101 | CD101 Top 2009 Songs of All-Time (December 2008) | 2009 |
| 2009 | 1602 | CD101 | CD101 Top 2010 Songs of All-Time (December 2009) | 2010 |
| 2010 | 1644 | CD101 | CD101 Top 2011 Songs of All-Time (December 2010) | 2011 |
| 2011 | 1708 | CD101 | CD101 Top 2012 Songs of All-Time (December 2011) | 2011 |
| 2013 | 1769 | CD101 | CD101 Top 2013 Songs of All-Time (December 2013) | 2012 |
| 2014 | 1834 | CD101 | CD101 Top 2014 Songs of All-Time (2014) | 2013 |
| 2021 | 423 | 90.9 The Bridge | 90.9 The Bridge Top 909 Songs of the '80s | 909 |
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