Stiff released Costello's first single, "Less Than Zero", on 25 March 1977. Four months later his debut album, My Aim Is True, was released to moderate commercial success (No. 14 in the UK and, later, Top 40 in the US), with Costello appearing on the cover in his trademark oversize eyeglasses, reminiscent of Buddy Holly. Costello failed to chart with his early singles, which included "Less Than Zero" and the ballad "Alison". Stiff's records were initially distributed only in the UK, which meant that Costello's first album and singles were available in the United States only as expensive imports. Angered that no U.S. record company had yet seen fit to release his records, Costello attempted to protest by giving a street performance outside a London convention of CBS Records executives, and was arrested for busking. Costello signed to Columbia Records, (CBS in the U.S.) a few months later.
