The Very Best of Elvis Costello is a compilation album on two compact discs by Elvis Costello, sampling his recorded work from the years 1977 through 1998. First issued on Polygram Records on 21 September 1999, it was re-released less than two years later on Rhino Records as the first entry in their comprehensive Costello reissue series. A one-disc version was also released. Track listing All songs written by Elvis Costello unless otherwise indicated. Disc one "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" (Nick Lowe) (single, 1978) – 3:31 "Oliver's Army" (from Armed Forces, 1979) – 2:57 "Watching the Detectives" (single, 1977) – 3:43 "Alison" (from My Aim Is True, 1977) – 3:21 "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea" (from This Year's Model, 1978) – 3:07 "Accidents Will Happen" (from Armed Forces, 1979) – 3:01 "Pump It Up" (from This Year's Model, 1978) – 3:13 "I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down" (Homer Banks, Alan Jones) (from Get Happy!!, 1980) – 2:05 "Radio Radio" (single, 1978) – 3:06 "Clubland" (from Trust, 1981) – 3:43 "A Good Year for the Roses" (Jerry Chesnut) (from Almost Blue, 1981) – 3:35 "Man Out of Time" (from Imperial Bedroom, 1982) – 5:25 "I Wanna Be Loved" (Farnell Jenkins) (from Goodbye Cruel World, 1984) – 4:46 "Everyday I Write the Book" (from Punch the Clock, 1983) – 3:52 "Brilliant Mistake" (from King of America, 1986) – 3:41 "The Other Side of Summer" (from Mighty Like a Rose, 1991) – 3:53 "Tokyo Storm Warning" (from Blood and Chocolate, 1986) – 6:23 "Sulky Girl" (from Brutal Youth), 1994) – 5:04 "So Like Candy" (MacManus, McCartney) (from Mighty Like a Rose, 1991) – 4:35 "Veronica" (MacManus, McCartney) (from Spike, 1989) – 3:07 "She" (Charles Aznavour, Herbert Kretzmer) (from Soundtrack to Notting Hill, 1999) – 3:05 Disc two "Big Tears" (B-side of "Pump It Up" single, 1978) – 3:10 "Beyond Belief" (from Imperial Bedroom, 1982) – 2:33 "Lipstick Vogue" (from This Year's Model, 1978) – 3:31 "Green Shirt" (from Armed Forces, 1979) – 2:44 "Pills and Soap" (from Punch the Clock, 1983) – 3:43 "Tramp the Dirt Down" (from Spike), 1989) – 5:41 "Shipbuilding" (MacManus, Clive Langer) (from Punch the Clock, 1983) – 4:51 "High Fidelity" (from Get Happy!!, 1980) – 2:28 "New Lace Sleeves" (from Trust, 1981) – 3:47 "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" (from My Aim Is True, 1977) – 2:46 "Talking in