Pump It Up by Elvis Costello

In 1978, nobody was imagining that Elvis Costello would someday write classical pieces, marry a famous jazz pianist and become a world-renowned songwriter (well, maybe the latter). At the time he was still associated with a scary thing called punk rock, and the pounding “Pump It Up” was about as punk as he ever got. But the song’s hyperspeed lyrics also drew comparisons to Bob Dylan, specifically “Subterranean Homesick Blues” (though Dylan’s song didn’t have the frustrated lust of Costello’s).

The album This Year’s Model, which included this track, made nearly every critic’s top-10 list that year. It also marked the debut of Costello’s longtime backing band the Attractions; two-thirds of whom are still with him. Albums built on country, soul and classic pop music were just around the corner.

Among the songwriters who’ve collaborated with Elvis Costello are Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach, New Orleans maestro Allen Toussaint, and his wife Diana Krall.

As a singer, brace yourself for a lot of rapid-fire lyrics (even if you’re a fan, you’ll probably catch a few lines you never noticed before).

The instrumental parts are repetitive, but not simple: On drums your right hand will be hitting quarter-notes all the way through while your foot stays busy; it’s a good song for getting acquainted with forceful but slightly complex patterns.

Writing songs in every genre he can think of.