King of America

King of America
Studio album by the Costello Show featuring the Attractions and the Confederates
Released	21 February 1986 (1986-02-21)
Recorded	July–September 1985
Studio	Ocean Way, Sunset Sound and Sound Factory (Los Angeles)
Genre	Roots rock country folk R&B americana
Length	57:36
Label	F-Beat Columbia
Producer	J. Henry (T Bone) Burnett Declan MacManus a.k.a. (The Coward Brothers)
Elvis Costello chronology
The Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions (1985) King of America (1986) Blood & Chocolate (1986)
Singles from King of America
"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" Released: January 1986 "Lovable" Released: 1986 (US)

King of America is the tenth studio album by the English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello, released on 21 February 1986. Co-produced by Costello and T Bone Burnett, the album originated following a series of tours the two made under the name "the Coward Brothers". Recording took place in mid-1985 at various studios in Los Angeles, California, with a group of American session musicians dubbed "the Confederates". Selected by Burnett, they included Ray Brown, Earl Palmer and former members of Elvis Presley's TCB Band. Costello's regular backing band, the Attractions, were intended to appear on half of the album before poor sessions led to them appearing on only one track, "Suit of Lights".

Featuring a mostly acoustic sound, King of America was a departure from Costello's previous albums, exploring roots rock, country, folk, R&B and Americana. Its personal songs delve into themes of romance, betrayal, alcoholism and the American dream. The cover artwork features Costello wearing a crown and matching jacket, which commentators at the time found both "ridiculous" and "serious". Costello credited himself on the album sleeve under his real name, Declan MacManus; the album itself was credited to "the Costello Show featuring the Attractions and Confederates" in the UK and Europe and to "the Costello Show featuring Elvis Costello" in North America.

King of America reached number 11 in the UK and number 39 in the US. It was supported by a cover of Nina Simone's "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", a UK top 40 single. Hailed as a return to form for Costello and his best record in years, the album was praised for its production, depth and vocal performances. Mixed reviews found the album too complex and lacking accessibility to attract new fans. Later reviewers call King of America one of Costello's best works, praising its personal tone and the songwriter's growing maturity, and arguing the album anticipated Costello's various musical excursions and collaborations in the following decades. It received expanded reissues in 1995 and 2005, which were positively received.