New Amsterdam

"New Amsterdam" is a song written and performed by new wave musician Elvis Costello on his 1980 album, Get Happy!! Written about the New World and New York, the recording of the song that appears on Get Happy!! was a demo that Costello had recorded in Pimlico. The song was released as an EP single, reaching number 36 in the United Kingdom. The song has since been lauded by critics and included on compilation albums. Background "New Amsterdam" began as one of many demos produced by Costello after Armed Forces. During this period, Costello recorded demos alone and played all the instruments himself; in this case, he recorded "New Amsterdam" at a "fifteen quid-an-hour demo studio" in Pimlico. Costello recalled, "As you might guess I didn't use a metronome but I did employ the owner's exotic equipment; vibes! a fretless bass! a very nasty synth! even God forbid, DRUMS!!!" This demo version would ultimately be the performance that appeared on the final release of Get Happy!!, as Costello was unsatisfied with attempts made with the Attractions to "re-create the mood". Production of the released track was credited to Nick Lowe, even though the demo session was entirely the work of Costello as both artist and producer. Lyrically, Costello described "New Amsterdam" as "a song about a bewildered new arrival in the New World". Costello also characterized it as "A bewildered lad, alone in New York, except for his rhyming dictionary". The song's title comes from the name of the Dutch settlement where New York would be established. Musically, the song's softer and slower arrangement contrasted with much of the more energetic material on the album.