Álbum All This Useless Beauty de Elvis Costello - Canciones

All This Useless Beauty

1996 |

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Disco 1

The Other End Of The Telescope
Little AtomsVer letra 3:58

[X]
letra de Little Atoms
I arose and Marigold lay down with Curious Iris
Cherry gave to Victor her prudence and her virus
FOr the sake of purity I can recall the time and place
Between wisdom and murder she gave up her
Immaculate face

My poor belated chastity fell foul
of grown up games
With false and lovely modesty
I can recall the names I'll miss
In the particle of me that cares for this
I betrayed those little atoms with a kiss

Patience has her virtue still but every grace
must have its price
I through some felicity may spin a tale
of constant vice
I took my better nature out, drowned it
in the babbling stream
Took the blossom of my youth
and blew it all to smithereens

My poor belated chastity fell foul
of grown up games
With false and lovely modesty
I can recall the names I'll miss
In the particle of me that cares for this
I betrayed those little atoms with a kiss

And if you still don't like my song
Then you can just go to hell
I don't care if I'm right or wrong or if
my typewriter can spell
But I cannot promise you I've said "goodbye"
to childish things
There's still some pretty insults left
and such sport in threatening

My poor belated chastity fell foul
of grown up games
With false and lovely modesty
I can recall the names I'll miss
In the particle of me that cares for this
I betrayed those little atoms with a kiss

And for the sake of clarity
They are "faith", "hope", and "charity"
In the particle of me that cares for this
I betrayed those little atoms with a kiss
All This Useless BeautyVer letra 4:39

[X]
letra de All This Useless Beauty
It's at times such as this she'd be tempted to spit
If she wasn't so ladylike
She imagines how she might have lived
Back when legends and history collide
So she looks to her prince finding he's so charmingly
Slumped at her side
Those days are recalled on the gallery wall
And she's waiting for passion or humour to strike

What shall we do, what shall we do with all this useless beauty?
All this useless beauty

Good friday arrived, the sky darkened on time
'til he almost began to negotiate
She held his head like a baby and said "it's okay if you cry"
Now he wants her to dress as if you couldn't guess
He desires to impress his associates
But he's part ugly beast and hellenic deceased
So she finds that the mixture is hard to deny

Chorus

She won't practice the looks from the great tragic books
That were later disgraced to face celluloid
It won't even make sense but you can bet
If she isn't a sweetheart or plaything or pet
The film turns her into an unveiled threat

Nonsense prevails, modesty fails
Grace and virtue turn into stupidity
While the calendar fades almost all barricades to a pale compromise
And our leaders have feasts on the backsides of beasts
They still think they're the gods of antiquity
If something you missed didn't even exist
It was just an ideal -- is it such a surprise?

Chorus (2x)
Complicated ShadowsVer letra 4:43

[X]
letra de Complicated Shadows
Well you know your time has come and you're sorry for what you've done
You should've never have been playing with a gun
In those complicated shadows
Well there's a line that you must toe
And it'll soon be time to go
But it's darker than you know in those complicated shadows

All you gangsters and rude clowns
Who were shooting up the town
When you should have found someone to put the blame on
Though the fury's hot and hard
I still see that cold graveyard
There's a solitary stone that's got your name on

You don't have to take it from me
But i know what i spake
You think you're like iron and steel
But iron and steel will bend and break
In those complicated shadows

Go!

Sometimes justice you will find
Is just dumb not colour-blind
And your poor shattered mind can't take it all in
All those phantoms and those shades
Should jump up on judgement day
And say to the almighty "i'm still stinking of sin"

But the jury was dismissed
Took his neck and they give it a twist
So you see you won't be missed in those complicated shadows

You can say just what you like in a voice like a john ford film
Take the law into your hands
You will soon get tired of killing
In those complicated shadows
Complicated shadows
Complicated shadows
Complicated shadows

Go!
Why Can't A Man Stand Alone? 3:14
Distorted AngelVer letra 4:31

[X]
letra de Distorted Angel
Strange things seem to occur, somewhere behind the nursery door
Though I was just a bit of a kid, it was the bit that she was looking for
Now I don't know where to begin confessing
The way she's making me feel it can't be a sin

I was taught to believe you were looking down on everyone
And your benevolent face is beautiful to gaze upon
Now I just don't know who to tell to go to hell
Who put the old devil in the distorted angel?

Distorted Angel
Pure illuminated sweetness
Frightening small children is just about your only weakness
I thought that you would tell me what I'm living for
But I can't see you anymore

I don't know what we did but I'm sorry if it made you cry
And if there's any justice at all I'd be punished for it I'd surmise
It will mark the spot very well where I fell
Under the shadow of the distorted angel
Beneath the shadow of the distorted angel
Below the shadow of the distorted angel
Angel
Beneath the shadow of the distorted angel
Below the shadow of the distorted angel
Angel
Shallow Grave 2:07
Poor Fractured AtlasVer letra 4:02

[X]
letra de Poor Fractured Atlas
He's out in the woods with his squirrel gun
To try to recapture his anger
He's screaming some words at the top of his lungs
Until he begins to feel younger
But back at his desk in the city we find
Our trembling punch-drunken fighter
Who can't find the strength now to punish the length
Of the ribbon in his little typewriter

Poor fractured Atlas
Threw himself across the mattress
Waving his withering pencil as if it were a pirate's cutlass
I'm almost certain he's trying to increase his burden
He said "That's how the child in me planned it
A woman wouldn't understand it"

I believe there was something that I wanted to say
Before I conclude this epistle
But you would forgive me for holding my tongue
'Cause man made the blade and the pistol
Yes man made the waterfall and the dam
To temper his tantrum with magic
Now you can't be sure of that ten of azure
Since he punched a hole in the fabric

Poor fractured Atlas
Threw himself across the mattress
Waving his withering pencil as if it were a pirate's cutlass
I'm almost certain he's trying to increase his burden
He said "That's how the child in me planned it
A woman wouldn't understand it"
Starting To Come To MeVer letra 2:43

[X]
letra de Starting To Come To Me
It's started to come to me
Your new career would probably end like this
All that professional lipstick pressed into an amateur kiss
Farewell to the studied lines and carefully broken hearts
The overpowering perfume and the glimpse of her garter
Mingling with the sweet smoldering scent of the martyr
Well it's starting to come to me (come to me, come to me)
Starting to come to me

So you began to recognize the well-dressed man that everybody loves
It started when you chopped off all the fingers of those pony skin gloves
Then you cut a hole out where the lovelight used to shine
Your tears of pleasure equal measure crocodile and brine
You try to laugh it off saying "I knew all the time...
But it's starting to come to me" (come to me, come to me)
Starting to come to me

Sometimes you bring me down to play reluctant confidant
You say you may reward him if he gives you what you want
But these are days to treasure and to hold
They are much too precious to be sold
You'd probably play the pirate if you weren't so busy digging up the gold

Now you could tell he wanted you 'cause you almost taste it on his breath
But you always cheated life just like the bold dare-devil cheated death
Incidentally, late last night your understudy finally got what you deserve
In private she's seductive but in public she's prim, porcelain and nervous
Afraid someone will recognize the shame in her eyes
You've still got your dignity or the next best disguise
You never know when to say no and when to compromise
But it's starting to come to me (come to me, come to me)
Starting to come to me (come to me, come to me)
Starting to come to me
You Bowed DownVer letra 4:55

[X]
letra de You Bowed Down
I expect you're entitled to know why I'm making contact
With acquaintances scattered all over the land
I'd promise you now and again that I'd honour the contract
If it hadn't crumbled away in my hand
So we broke that vow independently now
But I don't know why you absolutely deny

You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)
You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)

When you first looked away I might say it was really a kindness
It must have hurt you to see how dreams sour
Now they say that justice and love are the next things to blindness
Well you're getting plenty of both of them now
And so you parade where appointments are made
And never meant to be kept
Unless you accept

You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)
You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)

You value the burnt amber of falling leaves
And you long to delay
As you feel their breath as they whisper
"It won't hurt you now to betray
If you just bow down"

And now every time that we meet on the edge of hysteria
You're helping them sell off some new party line
I remember a time when you would have seemed so superior
Now you say "Will you please meet this good friend of mine?"
So you're in demand as long as you kiss their hand
But all the applause is for their name not yours

You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)
You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)
You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)
You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)
You bowed down
You bowed down
You bowed down
You bowed down
It's Time 6:00
I Want To VanishVer letra 3:16

[X]
letra de I Want To Vanish
I want to vanish
This is my fondest wish
To go where I cannot be captured
Laid on a decorated dish
Even in splendor this curious fate
Is more than I care to surrender
Now it's too late

Whether in wonder or indecent haste
You arrange the mirrors and the spools
To snare the rare and precious jewels
That were only made of paste

If you should stumble upon my last remark
I'm crying in the wilderness
I'm trying my best to make it dark
How can I tell you I'm rarer than most
I'm certain as a lost dog
Pondering a sign post

Refrão

I want to vanish
This is my last request
I've given you the awful truth
Now give me my rest

Disco 2

Almost Ideal EyesVer letra

[X]
letra de Almost Ideal Eyes
Here she comes with her almost ideal eyes
and her flawless skin and her petulant pout
The memory of such a long blond alibi
still makes me want to shout out loud
You ************ when you clear your head my dear
you can't come out here in those stolen clothes
Telling me all about some mystery
I hope she isn't one, I hope she isn't one of those

Almost ideal eyes
Viewed through a rosey hue
so beautiful, trusting
You find liberal is an insult now and care is what you pay for
Be sure of what you're wishing for, be careful what you pray for
When you look into those almost ideal

Love is smiles, he will hypnotize you wild
He tries to analyze your dreams
Fill you up with all his big ideas while he really wants to make you
Scream out loud at the phony innocence
and pained pretence and the dismal rage.
The vacant lot that thankfully time forgot
Where you never have to act, you never have to act your age

Almost ideal eyes
Viewed through a rosey hue
so beautiful, trusting
you find stupid is a compliment and thrill is what you play for
Be sure of what you're wishing for, be careful what you pray for
When you look into those almost ideal eyes

In the spirit(?) all your friends look uglier
and you find you're wearing an evening gown
Weeping over some tiny broken bird
while the sky is decorated
shocking pink and a dirty shade of brown
and you think you need to be tranquilized
a feat that may fit to your new career
Whatever you invent you'll never be content with

Almost ideal eyes
Viewed through a rosey hue
so beautiful, trusting
rebellion is just currency, the moon is what you pay for
be sure of what you're looking for, be careful what you pray for
when you look into those almost ideal eyes

Here she comes, here she comes now.....
My Dark Life (Con Brian Eno)
That Day Is Done (Con The Fairfield Four)
What Do I Do Now?Ver letra

[X]
letra de What Do I Do Now?
Quickly she came dressed up for fame
Riding her perfume downstairs
Make-up like glue, she danced round the room
To the sound of her corduroy flares

Let's go to town, taxis all round
We could stop for a couple of beers
He looks at it all stifles a yawn
She tries not to look like she cares

[Chorus:]
What do I do now? Are we going under?
What did I do wrong?
I thought we had it sorted out the other day
Maybe I'm just stupid
Can't we try again?
No one told me it was raining (raining, raining)

Can't face a club, they walk to a nearby pub
Watch a couple of bands
Draining the glass they walk home at last
Reaching for each others hands

Nothing is said he goes to bed
Dreaming of her on his own
She stays up all week, watching him sleep
Scared that she'll wake up alone

[Chorus]

Oh I'll miss you every day of your life
Oh you'll feel it too, you're not that strong
You know I'm on to you
Oh I'll miss you every day of your life
Maybe when you're dead
I'll get some rest from holding onto you (holding onto you)

What do I do now? Are we going under?
What did I do wrong?
Thought we had it sorted
Is there someone else? Am I too familiar?
Was it when I said I wanted to have children?

Tore up all your photos, didn't feel too clever
Spent the whole of Sunday sticking you together
Now I'd like to call but I feel too awkward
Some things need explaining
No one told me it was raining (raining, raining...)
The Bridge I BurnedVer letra

[X]
letra de The Bridge I Burned
I'm walking down Times Square in the Electric Daylight
The sailors on shore leave stand out in their perfect white.
I'm up here with my spying glass at the window of the world
For better or for worse - it's a perverse universe, my love.

Now I know, I should have never walked over the bridge I burned
Now I know, somehow I don't feel so alone.

(the sermon)

You mutter underneath your breath - IT ECHOES ROUND THE WORLD
Everybody comes from nowhere.
There is hope, it loops up in the air

Now I know, I should have never walked over the bridge I burned
Now I know, somehow I don't feel so alone.

You said I used to be handsome if you screwed up your eyes
Professors and vampires drank up all the tears I cried.
Now there's a bird at my window, he feeds upon the pain
and sometimes he sings to me - a mocking bird in the twilight of infamy.

Now I know, I should have never walked over the bridge I burned
Now I know, somehow I don't feel so alone.
Now I know, I should have never walked over the bridge I burned
Now I know, they've burned one sinner and the others are set to follow

Now I know.
Now I know.
Now I know.
It's Time (demo)
Complicated Shadows (demo)
You Bowed DownVer letra 4:55

[X]
letra de You Bowed Down
I expect you're entitled to know why I'm making contact
With acquaintances scattered all over the land
I'd promise you now and again that I'd honour the contract
If it hadn't crumbled away in my hand
So we broke that vow independently now
But I don't know why you absolutely deny

You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)
You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)

When you first looked away I might say it was really a kindness
It must have hurt you to see how dreams sour
Now they say that justice and love are the next things to blindness
Well you're getting plenty of both of them now
And so you parade where appointments are made
And never meant to be kept
Unless you accept

You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)
You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)

You value the burnt amber of falling leaves
And you long to delay
As you feel their breath as they whisper
"It won't hurt you now to betray
If you just bow down"

And now every time that we meet on the edge of hysteria
You're helping them sell off some new party line
I remember a time when you would have seemed so superior
Now you say "Will you please meet this good friend of mine?"
So you're in demand as long as you kiss their hand
But all the applause is for their name not yours

You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)
You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)
You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)
You bowed down (you bowed down, you bowed down)
You bowed down
You bowed down
You bowed down
You bowed down
Mistress And Maid (demo)
Distorted Angel (demo)
World's Greatest Optimist (demo)
The Only Flame In Town (demo)
The Comedians (demo)
The Days Take Care Of Everything (demo)
Hidden Shame (demo)
Why Can't A Man Stand Alone (demo)
Distorted Angel (Tricky Remix)