Robert Wyatt's version of Elvis Costello's "Shipbuilding" actually pre-dated Costello's. Well, there is a reason... the music was written by Clive Langer (supposedly for Robert Wyatt) and while in discussion with Elvis Costello about the lack of satisfactory lyrics, Costello came back with this brilliant Falklands War tale of prosperity and loss. "Shipbuilding" is about the prosperity that a war, such as the Falklands War, may bring the shipbuilding areas of Britain, but with the possibility of losing some of their own people on the same ships in the war. Written and released during the Falklands war in 1982. Elvis Costello's own version was released on his 1983 album 'Punch the Clock'. A true classic!
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