London's Brilliant

"London's Brilliant" is a song by former Transvision Vamp lead singer Wendy James. It was released in 1993 as the second single from her debut solo album Now Ain't the Time for Your Tears and was written by Elvis Costello and his then wife Cait O'Riordan. The single was unsuccessful upon release, peaking at a low number sixty-two on the UK Singles Chart.[1]

"London's Brilliant"
Single by Wendy James
from the album Now Ain't the Time for Your Tears
B-side
  • "My Ballad To 46th Street"
  • "I Will Never Be Your Lover"
  • "To All Beginnings"
Released5 April 1993
RecordedUnited Kingdom
GenreAlternative rock, pop punk
Length2:29
LabelMCA Records
Songwriter(s)Elvis Costello
Cait O'Riordan
Producer(s)Chris Kimsey
Wendy James singles chronology
"The Nameless One"
(1993)		 "London's Brilliant"
(1993)		 "Do You Know What I'm Saying?"
(1993)

Costello released his demo of the song on one version of his 1994 EP for "London's Brilliant Parade". Costello asserted that the similarity in title between the songs did not mean they were connected: "It just has the coincidence of a similar title."[2]

Background

Speaking of the song, James told NME in 1993, "The song is basically a parody of me and my life, and the snobbery that goes on in the West London area."[3]

Critical reception

Upon its release as a single, Chris Roberts of Melody Maker commented that James "brings us another burst of abattoir Costello, more Clash than flash, all impossibly wry wordplay and Ladbroke Grove fear and loathing". He added, "Another crackle of pop genius from Allan Jones' favourite chanteuse."[4]

Track listing
CD single/Maxi single[5]
  1. "London's Brilliant" – 2:29
  2. "My Ballad To 46th Street" – 3:15 (Wendy James/Neil Taylor)
  3. "I Will Never Be Your Lover" – 4:48 (James/Taylor)
12" single
  1. "London's Brilliant" – 2:29
  2. "To All Beginnings" (James/Taylor)
  3. "My Ballad to 46th Street" – 3:15

Charts
Chart (1993) Peak
Position
UK Singles Chart[1] 62

References
  1. "Official Charts > Wendy James". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  2. Mulvey, John (26 February 1994). "This nation's shaven grace". New Musical Express.
  3. Staunton, Terry (13 March 1993). "Wendy's Boat Comes In". New Musical Express. p. 12.
  4. Roberts, Chris (10 April 1993). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 28.
  5. "Wendy James – London's Brilliant (CD) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
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