Look Now (2018) - (as Elvis Costello and The Imposters)

• Under Lime
• Don't Look Now
• Burnt Sugar Is So Bitter
• Stripping Paper
• Unwanted Number
• I Let The Sun Go Down
• Mr. & Mrs. Hush
• Photographs Can Lie
• Dishonor The Stars
• Suspect My Tears
• Why Won't Heaven Help Me?
• He's Given Me Things
• Isabelle In Tears (Deluxe Edition Bonus Track)
• Adieu Paris (L'nvie Des Etoiles) (Deluxe Edition Bonus Track)
• The Final Mrs. Curtain (Deluxe Edition Bonus Track)
• You Shouldn't Look At Me That Way (Deluxe Edition Bonus Track) 

Under Lime lyrics - Elvis Costello and The Imposters

It's a long way down from the high horse you're on

When you stumble and then you're thrown

The last time we saw him, he was out in the rain

Watching that train roll down the track

Now he's back in showbiz

Trying to make a comeback

We know that he's desperate

And we know that he's broke

He's the mystery guest we'll puncture

They told a young girl with a clipboard

"Just keep him amused"

"Whatever you do, don't tell him your name"

"Whatever you think, don't let him drink"

Under lime, under lime, under lime

He whistles out of tune

His words don't always rhyme

But we will be right back

We're almost out of time

Down a long corridor, he's trying to impress

He was helping a showgirl fasten up her dress

And the clock on the wall tick-tocked the time away

And the band starts to play

In the violent strip of an undressing room

She loosened his grip and started

Tell me your story if you feel so inclined

He was a mess, almost resigned

Though she could guess, I think you will find

She thought "Oh, you know, I wouldn't mind"

He asked her boyfriend's name

Then her whole family tree

She thought I can't believe

It's happening to me

And upset, said "Hey, Pet, would you kindly pass that pill"

And allow me to just dictate my dying will

And the clock on the wall tick-tocked the time away

And the band starts to play

Jimmie was dreaming as she uncrossed her legs

He shuttered his eyes discreetly

And he thought of a drummer and considered a snare

But the beat of his heart said, "Don't ever start"

His conscience was bare, it said "Don't even dare"

She's completely unaware

She forced a laugh or a sign

At every alibi

Once every crime was confessed

He buttoned up his vest

Said "Hey gal, you're a pal, you've really been a sport"

And you don't get a record if you never get caught

And the clock on the wall tick-tocked the time away

And the band starts to play

It's a long way down from that high horse you're on

It's a long way back, 'less you cover your track

Or you bury your crime

Under lime, under lime, under lime, under lime

It's a long way down from that high horse you're on

It's a long way back, 'less you cover your track

Or you bury your crime

Under lime, under lime, under lime, under lime

It's a long way down from that high horse you're on

It's a long way back, 'less you cover your track

Cause you bury your crime

Under lime, under lime, under lime

Don't Look Now lyrics - Elvis Costello and The Imposters

Don't look now, don't you dare

I'm not decent, go sit over there

Would you rather I was draped in priceless fur?

As there's nothing else to wear

Don't look now

I saw you shoot that glance

I said, "Don't peek

At the sway of my dance

And the length of my limb

And the blush of my cheek"

Okay, look at me now

What do you see?

I see you looking at me

Looking at how you're looking at me

Oh, oh, oh

I know what you're thinking

I can read your mind

Oh, I promise, I'll be good this time

Now I wonder what you see

Will you be thinking of me?

Later on, when you're alone

Are you ever alone and longing?

I'll sit here silent and still

See if I'm breaking your will

I see you looking at me

Looking at how you're looking at me

Oh, don't look at me now...

Burnt Sugar Is So Bitter lyrics - Elvis Costello and The Imposters

She says, "What is it that I've done

That you want me to be punished?"

When she woke up one day to find

That he had started to vanish

But if you overhear voices

Perhaps you should not be listenin' at all

Twitch the vigilant lace

Make a slow, sour face

Set the scandalized whispering

She's out on her own with the rest of her riches

As the kids paint him out of their refrigerator pictures

She picks up the bill, pays off the babysitter

'Cause everybody knows burnt sugar is so bitter

Once there was a time

Before he turned strange

She thought they would be together

For more than a lifetime

Look at him now

My, how things have changed

He could tear the sweet heart out of any girl

On just a whim

And turn it from a candy to a caramel

And make her hate the silly way she used to feel

And say, "I know nothing about him"

Now what's left of the birthday cake

Is very beautifully frosted

An absent father picks up the phone

To find the number's unlisted

But while the kids are distracted

They don't notice she's nervous at all

But how long will it take

Not to make a mistake

When a gentleman comes to call?

She's out on her own with the rest of her riches

As the kids tear down the refrigerator pictures

They already know how a woman may advance

From a pretty picture hat to a supermarket trance

But if he's unkind, he might as well forget her

'Cause everybody knows burnt sugar is so bitter

Burnt sugar is so bitter

Burnt sugar

Stripping Paper lyrics - Elvis Costello and The Imposters

I got time on my hands I'm just stripping paper

It's amazing what you will find

Stripping paper

When you get down to the past

Back then we didn't have means

For fine decorations

So we painted while mixing wine

With flirtation

There, in the mess of it all

He took me right there in the thrill

Not quite against my will

With my back to that rococo wall

We slipped right down to the floor

I kicked closed the door

He complimented my taste

I anointed his serious face

With wallpaper paste

I wish we could laugh like that now

But what seemed to follow

And ended up hollow

Was our vow

Tear a strip or two

See what came not much later

Here's a pony and toy balloon

Behind a vine that withered all too soon

Here's the pencil of a measuring mark

And a monster she spied in the dark

Now I've got no place in her heart

Let me go back to the start

I got time on my hands I'm just stripping paper

I got time on my hands I'm just stripping paper

I got time on my hands I'm just stripping paper

Unwanted Number lyrics - Elvis Costello and The Imposters

You should hear the things that they say about me

They're saying "She's no better than she needed to be"

They don't know that he was kind and warm and tender

Soon he's gonna be another Unwanted Number

Unwanted Number

How can I tell them?

How can I express?

How it felt to step out of this life and into his embrace

How can I tell them?

How can I explain?

All the love that I never had, I found in him

There may be a stain on the family name

And if my father was here I think I know who he'd blame

Mama says that he just doesn't care to remember

And all he thinks of me is another Unwanted Number

Unwanted Number

What can she tell me?

What can I expect?

Of all the painful lessons that she learned she never earned respect

What can she tell me?

What can I believe?

That she really didn't hear me cry whenever he would leave?

There's a local game where they whisper my shame

They say "He gave her his child, he wouldn't give her his name"

They will torture me from January till September

And I will give my love to another Unwanted Number

Unwanted Number

Unwanted Number

I will give my love to another Unwanted Number

Unwanted Number

Unwanted Number

And I will give my love

And I will give my love

I will give my love to another Unwanted Number

Unwanted Number

Unwanted Number

And I will give my love

And I will give my love

I will give my love to another Unwanted Number

Unwanted Number

Unwanted Number

Unwanted Number

I Let The Sun Go Down lyrics - Elvis Costello and The Imposters

Whenever I'm in the tightest corner

Whenever I feel forlorn

I think of the isle where I was born

And the duty to which I've sworn

But I woke up in a nightmare

With a Union Jack and half a crown

John Bull got caught with his pants down, again

That's inviting sundown

It's time to do or die

It's time to say "Good-bye"

Cause I'm the man who lost the British Empire

Yes I'm the one, I let the sun go down

Don't let the shadows lengthen

And cover my good intentions

They say that darkness brings the right time

But it's also time for tears

I'm so sorry and sincere

Ahead of me a brilliant career

Now I'm going nowhere

It's time to do or die

It's time to say "Good-bye"

Cos I'm the man who lost the British Empire

Yes I'm the one I let the sun go down

Stay awhile

Delay the night

I'm too young for twilight

They'd tell the sun to hesitate

That's when Britain was Great

Now that the lights are flickering

My pulse is quickening

All over the world the lamps will dim

And never be seen again

The balloon's gone up

The night descends

As they lower the flag on no-man's land

They'll take you down a peg or two

This is the bitter end

I walk into darkness

It's time to do or die

It's time to say "Good-bye"

Cos I'm the man who lost the British Empire

Yes I'm the one, I let the sun go down

I let the sun go down

Don't let the sun go down

I let the sun go down

Mr. & Mrs. Hush lyrics - Elvis Costello and The Imposters

I tripped through a house of mirrors

Distorted my suspicions and fears (I heard a whisper)

There is a place where those secrets begin (they had a list)

I gave my name and they invited me in (but here's the twist)

A sign flickered and it started to flash

"Welcome Mr. and Mrs. Hush"

Haven't you tired of that darkness yet?

Didn't you cry your heart out?

It's only a dream

What is it about love you can't accept?

Are you ready?

Are you ready?

Are you ready?

To be

Mr. and Mrs. Hush

Mr. and Mrs. Hush

But it was something I just couldn't understand

Until I slipped my finger into the band

Just think what those eyes might betray

Stare hard and now don't look away

Haven't you tired of that darkness yet?

Didn't you cry your heart out?

It's only a dream

What is it about love you can't accept?

Are you ready?

Are you ready?

Are you ready?

To be

Mr. and Mrs. Hush

Mr. and Mrs. Hush

I don't know if I'm deep down right inside her heart

Or outside her door

I don't know if I have the key to either

Uncertain if I should take her hand or leave her

(I thought I saw her)

It's a game of blindfold and bluff

(I thought I saw her)

You know I love you

Is it ever enough?

(I thought I saw her)

Oh, what did I know

(I thought I saw her)

Heigh-ho and there you go

(I thought I saw her)

A voice that caresses and heels like spurs

(I thought I saw her)

What if you walked in with some other fella

(I thought I saw her)

Heat is rising

And red is the colour

(I thought I saw her)

Green is the colour of my true love's eyes

(I thought I saw her)

And green is the colour of those jealous disguises

Haven't you tired of that darkness yet?

Didn't you cry your heart out?

It's only a dream

What is it about love you can't accept?

Are you ready?

Are you ready?

Are you ready?

To be

Mr. and Mrs. Hush

Mr. and Mrs. Hush

Mr. and Mrs. Hush

Mr. and Mrs. Hush

Photographs Can Lie lyrics - Elvis Costello and The Imposters

He was wired, dynamite

And she was rare as treasure

That's not the kind of story

You deny

In a frame, under glass

They'll always be together

And so in love, but photographs

Can lie

Now they say I have the gaze

That must recall my father

Saying, "He's my knight,

My bright morning sun"

Now I am mourning everyone

See him now, know he cheats

Why can't she see through him?

He used to be more valiant

Than vain

Put him on a pedestal

And it's a long way down there

I'll never be his little girl

Again

Now they say I have the gaze

That must recall my father

Saying, "He's my knight,

My bright morning sun"

Now I am mourning everyone

Someone else will look at me

And think he is my lover

Developing the image

In his eye

In a frame, under glass

We'll always be together

And so in love, but photographs

Can lie

Dishonor The Stars lyrics - Elvis Costello and The Imposters

If you wake and chance to look above you

There's one I named to show how much I love you

Hanging up high

Poets long have written and have sung

Of moonlight and some distant satellite

And when we're young we wish upon them

Other men may only dream to kiss you

But it's not a thrill like this

Put your lips a little closer to my cheek

Then whisper, then speak

So, tell me if you know

How deep can this thing go?

Honey will still desire the flowers

And there will be a love like ours

Until the sky dishonours the stars

What in the world would all this amount to?

If I can't tell you how much I want you

On such a night the sky might dishonour the stars

Disown and dishonour the stars

Poets long have written and have sung

Of moonlight and some distant satellite

And when we're young we wish upon them

Other men may only dream to kiss you

But it's not a thrill like this

Put your lips a little closer to my

Cheek then whisper, then speak

So, tell me if you know

How deep can this thing go?

Honey will still desire the flowers

And there will be a love like ours

Until the sky dishonours the stars

What in the world would all this amount to?

If I can't tell you how much I want you

On such a night the sky might dishonour the stars

Disown and dishonour the stars

Suspect My Tears lyrics - Elvis Costello and The Imposters

Do you remember how to say please?

You've had your own way for such a long time

Your lashes sweep down, I dry your cheek

You think I'm powerless when you speak

You may have something, I don't deny

You look so beautiful when you cry

If I seem unconcerned

Perhaps it's time you learned

I'll cry until you suspect my tears

I'll cry until you suspect my tears

You're not the only one who can turn it on

When oh when you need it

Do you remember how bad it felt?

Big eyes would fill up, your lip would tremble

You want to hurt me, but then you melt

You always promise to lose control

I learned the trick that you used to play

I'm tired of you having it your own way

With the power to persuade

Beginning to cascade

I'll cry until you suspect my tears

I'll cry until you suspect my tears

You're not the only one who can turn it on

When oh when you need it

If you hear me weeping

I may be cheating or just laughing inside

If you're suspicious

That I'm sly and vicious

Here's your chance to decide

Two hypocrites collide

I'll cry until you suspect my tears

I'll cry until you suspect my tears

You're not the only one who can turn it on

When oh when you need it

Oh when you need it

I'll cry until you suspect my tears

I'll cry until you suspect my tears

You're not the only one who can turn it on

When oh when you need it

Oh when you need it

I'll cry until you suspect my tears

I'll cry until you suspect my tears

I'll cry until you suspect my tears

I'll cry until you suspect my tears

Why Won't Heaven Help Me? lyrics - Elvis Costello and The Imposters

I set off alarms and fire off flares

Cause sometimes they answer prayers

I'm listening

I wait for some distant bell to ring

Why won't heaven help me?

(Far, far away)

Why won't heaven help me?

(It's so hard to say)

Why won't heaven help me?

Hey you out there!

Even if you dare...

Take care of your wishes

If you find they do come true

You may regret that too

Why won't heaven help me?

Why won't heaven help me?

Remember the thrill that followed praise

While dressed for a lover's gaze

The moment when

You saw through the lies of older men

Why won't heaven help me?

(Far, far away)

Why won't heaven help me?

(It's so hard to say)

Why won't heaven help me?

Hey you out there!

Even if you dare...

Take care of your wishes

If you find they do come true

You may regret that too

Why won't heaven help me?

(Why won't heaven)

Why won't heaven help me?

(Why won't heaven)

Why won't heaven help me?

(Why won't heaven)

I sensed this was wrong but take my word

I thought somehow I'd be spared

Alone again

Believe what you want of me

'Til then

Why won't heaven help me?

(Far, far away)

Why won't heaven help me?

(It's so hard to say)

Why won't heaven help me?

Hey you out there!

Even if you dare...

Take care of your wishes

If you find they do come true

You may regret that too

Why won't heaven help me?

(Why won't heaven)

Why won't heaven help me?

(Why won't heaven)

Why won't heaven help me?

(Why won't heaven)

He's Given Me Things lyrics - Elvis Costello and The Imposters

He's given me things you never would have

And if you did you'd want them back

Forgiven me things I didn't know that

I had done, but just faded to black

He's given me time and consolation

Some verses to read and lines to say

I will stay here for a while now

He call me "child" now

But it works that way

He's given me things you couldn't guess at

I don't mean jewels although they were fine

A way to depart, one way to enter

A right to dismiss upon a whim

When I close the door and you're supposing

I kick up my heels and then I scream

"Why was I chosen?" You'll never know

What I give to him

He's given me things you never thought of

Because they were not yours to give

So take this pill and tranquilize

And roll your eyes at the husbands

Not the customer's wives

He's forgiven me trials and tears and tantrums

And even all my false alarms

You sat there amused while I was crying

And just seemed to sigh but that's money can buy

And now I know why I come back to him

And now I know why you'll never do

Who are you?

Out there with one penny

You are so many

And we are so few

So cover the canvas if you're leaving

There's a bowl in the hallways to wash your hands

If the waters runs black please leave some silver

Then step past the glass and never come back

I'm living up here and you can see me

Yes, you can look but you can't touch

'Cause you don't belong, the air is thin here

You may asphyxiate my dear

For didn't you tell me "You should hold me"

"Oh please, you must hold me, as if I were hung"

To think you were exciting when love was frightening

But I was so young

He's given me things you never dreamed of

Where hopes are dashed and trash is praised

He has an awful lot of money

The past can be bought and then erased

Isabelle In Tears lyrics - Elvis Costello and The Imposters

Isabelle in tears, Isabelle is ringing

Saying, "I need you near to me,

But a telephone just isn't worth the flinging

Like a book or that ashtray that I aimed at your head

I'd rather see you dead"

But it's not as it appears so I tripped up the stairs

To find Isabelle in tears

Isabelle remains Isabelle in tethers

Wears a flimsy negligee of innocence and feathers

She says, "That's a good idea" as she pours herself a shot

But she can't get the genius back into the bottle

"After you're kind you'll find that no-one cares"

So her lovers and her fears leave Isabelle in tears

And I left her standing out there in the rain calling my name

As I pulled away pretending that I'd never met her

Oh, you never know the thrill of the Isabelle of memory

They say she was a bombshell who turned to an incendiary

Till the whole town burned down and returned into the earth

Can you admit your love? Can you confess her worth?

That the slant of time obscures and on certain nights appears

Like Isabelle in tears

That the slant of time obscures and on certain nights appears

Like Isabelle in tears

Adieu Paris (L'envie Des Etoiles) lyrics - Elvis Costello and The Imposters

Adieu, Paris

Mon, ancien amour

O, Adieu Paris

Could I have loved you much less,

or wanted you more?

O, Adieu...

Regarde la lumière

Et regarde ton regard

I looked in your eyes,

so long and hard

L'envie des étoiles

L'écho de nos rires

Au milieu des débris

O, Adieu Paris

You've taken back all

That you've given to me

O, Adieu...

Regarde la lumière

Et regarde ton regard

I looked in your eyes,

so long and hard

L'envie des étoiles

Après la tristesse

Larmes sur la page

Après la douleur

Le premier cri de rage

Seulement silence

Alors étudie mon visage

Ce sera le dernier,

que vous voyez de moi

Adieu, mes amis

L'envie des étoiles

So long, fare thee well, mes amis

O Adieu, Paris

Regarde la lumière

Et regarde ton regard

I looked in your eyes,

so long and hard

Adieu, Paris

Mon, ancien amour

O, Adieu...

Regarde la lumière...

I looked in your eyes,

so long and hard

Adieu, Paris

Mon, ancien amour

Adieu, Paris

Mon, ancien amour

Adieu, Paris

Mon, ancien amour

Adieu

The Final Mrs. Curtain lyrics - Elvis Costello and The Imposters

He was a plain piece of paper, an ordinary smith

The kind that you never trifle with

Drawn in wide-eyeliner, a solitary lass

Her beauty veiled by tortoiseshell and tinted glass

She was a husband collector of impeccable taste

She said, "My hands are tied but my glass is chaste"

He said, "If I were him, I'd fill that to the brim, so tell me more,

'Cause that's the kind of talk that I adore"

To lay with you

To lie with you

To live with you

Maybe die with you

As first love fades

Then two, then three

I'm certain to see

The Final Mrs. Curtain

There's not enough paper, there's not enough ink

There's not enough hours in the day, or poisons to drink

But there are too many teardrops that are still left to cry

And different kinds of kisses to help them dry

To lay with you

To lie with you

To live with you

Maybe die with you

As first love fades

Then two, then three

I'm certain to see

The Final Mrs. Curtain

To lay with you

To lie with you

To live with you

Maybe die with you

I'm the one who'll hold you

Till we're through

The Final Mrs. Curtain

You Shouldn't Look At Me That Way lyrics - Elvis Costello and The Imposters

Am I fine, am I pleasing

Are you pitying, are you teasing

You shouldn't look at me

You shouldn't look at me that way

Should a glance from you, just shoot through me

If a glimpse of you could undo me

You shouldn't look at me

You shouldn't look at me that way

Time among all of your enemies

Leaves you nothing but bitter memories

From the first splash of affection

To avoiding your own reflection

You shouldn't look at me

You shouldn't look at me that way

Now the flashbulbs may dazzle

While you're figuring out this puzzle

You shouldn't look at me

You shouldn't look at me that way

Don't take more than I offer

All my love or I'll make you suffer

You shouldn't look at me

You shouldn't look at me that way

Time among all of your enemies

Makes disguises from drastic remedies

From the first splash of detection

To avoiding your own reflection

You shouldn't look at me

You shouldn't look at me that way

You shouldn't look at me that way