The song "Alison" was included on Elvis Costello's debut studio album My Aim Is True as the fifth track, and was released in 1977.

Costello has divulged little on the meaning of the song other than to say that it is about "disappointing somebody"[4] and to deny suggestions that the lines "somebody better put out the big light" and "my aim is true" refer to murder.

[10] Record World called it "a stirring ballad" and said that "the strings add a dimension the song lacked in its original version and should help send it to the top.

"[13] Linda Ronstadt recorded a cover version of "Alison" for her studio album Living in the USA, in 1978, which sold over 2 million copies.

[15] Years later, Costello joked that he might have been publicly derisive of Ronstadt's version, "but I didn't mind spending the money that she earned me".

[16] Costello donated royalties from Ronstadt's version to the African National Congress after she played at Sun City in South Africa.