My Dark Life

Elvis Costello featuring Brian Eno

She says nobody wants to believe

You're the same as everyone

What makes me unique?



My dark life



There was a kink in the world

Sent that statue tumbling

An invitation east



So we could watch it all crumbling

She came on, like a light

And so softly she spoke

"You don't, no you don't know about

My dark life".



And you think, you're a guest

You're a tourist at best

Peering into the corners of

My dark life



Now that you tear your dreams

From consulted ballerinas

She'll stand on tiptoe for you

In here grey and tattered tu-tu



She stays where she is

'Cause of voyeurs like these

With an accuseter look that says

"My dark life"



Robber men await you there

Each beguiling alley

To shake you and to pierce you

And remind you of

My dark life



Into the pie easily

In their preening finery

And bang the tambourine

They're dining on rice paper scenery



See how the villain attracts

Envious glances from everyone

She's waitressing by day

It doesn't bring in much money now



And the strong concealed arms

Set off bells and alarms

In the strangest locations of

My dark life



But the fantasy slipped

As he tipped her in cigarettes

She tries to smile very graciously

When she wants to kill him



Now the victory is sweet

You get down on your knees

It's the perfect position for

Kissing western leather



So they came from ugly Texas

And from nameless Tennessee

From peculiar Missouri

And from places closer to me



All the green of hauntless singers

Chig the carnival is over

The remnants of an army band plays

Wait America, the beautiful