Slow Drag with Remedy :: An Elvis Costello Appreciation

Today's slow drag is with "Deep Dark Truthful Mirror" from "Spike," released in 1989. The songwriting is credited to Elvis Costello's birth name.

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Show Notes:

Appreciation written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Riot, MA, MFA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slow_drag_remedy/

Bluesky Social: https://bsky.app/profile/slowdragwithremedy.com

Email: [email protected]

"Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, Podcasts" https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Podcasts

Transcription: https://slowdragwithremedy.weebly.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

Slow Drag with Remedy on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1f521a34-2ed9-4bd4-a936-1ad107969046/slow-drag-with-remedy-an-elvis-costello-appreciation

References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Deep_Dark_Truthful_Mirror

"Deep Dark Truthful Mirror" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tujLEFMtaVA

What is Gestalt? https://www.gestaltcleveland.org/what-is-gestalt

"Deep Dark Truthful Mirror" Lyrics

One day you're going to have to face a deep dark truthful mirror

And it's going to tell you things that I still love you too much to say

The sky was just a purple bruise, the ground was iron

And you fell all around the town until you looked the same

(Chorus:)

The same eyes, the same lips

The same lie from your tongue trips

Deep dark, deep dark truthful mirror

Deep dark, deep dark truthful mirror

Now the flagstone streets where the newspaper shouts

Ring to the boots of roustabouts

And you're never in any doubt, there's something happening somewhere

Well, you chase down the road 'til your fingers bleed on a fiberglass tumbleweed

You can blow around the town, but it all shuts down the same

(Repeat Chorus)

So, you bay for the boy in the tiger-skin trunks

They set him up, set him up on the stool

He falls down, he falls down like a drunk

And you drink till you drool

Well, it's his story you'll flatter

You'll stretch him out like a saint

But the canvas that he splattered

Will be the picture that you never paint

Deep dark, deep dark truthful mirror

Deep dark, deep dark truthful mirror

A stripping puppet on a liquid stick gets into it pretty thick

A butterfly drinks a turtle's tears, but how do you know he really needs it?

'Cos a butterfly feeds on a dead monkey's hand

Jesus wept, he felt abandoned (shortest verse)

You're spellbound baby, there's no doubting that

Did you ever see a stare like a Persian cat?

(Repeat Chorus)

Deep dark, deep dark truthful mirror

Today's slow drag is with "I Want to Vanish," from "All This Useless Beauty," released in 1996. The songwriting is credited to Elvis Costello.

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Show Notes:

Appreciation written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Riot, MA, MFA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slow_drag_remedy/

Bluesky Social: https://bsky.app/profile/slowdragwithremedy.com

Email: [email protected]

"Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, Podcasts" https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Podcasts

Transcription: https://slowdragwithremedy.weebly.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

Slow Drag with Remedy on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1f521a34-2ed9-4bd4-a936-1ad107969046/slow-drag-with-remedy-an-elvis-costello-appreciation

References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, "I Want to Vanish" https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=I_Want_To_Vanish

"I Want to Vanish" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZIzhXMNzBo

The meaning of "paste" as it pertains to jewels: https://www.josephjewelry.com/guide/glossary/paste

"I Want to Vanish" Lyrics

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

(Chorus:)

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

(Repeat Chorus)

I want to vanish

This is my last request

I've given you the awful truth

Now give me my rest

Today's slow drag is with "Almost Beaten to the Punch," from "Get Happy!!," released in 1980. The songwriting is credited to Elvis Costello.

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Show Notes:

Appreciation written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Riot, MA, MFA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slow_drag_remedy/

Bluesky Social: https://bsky.app/profile/slowdragwithremedy.com

Email: [email protected]

"Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, Podcasts" https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Podcasts

Transcription: https://slowdragwithremedy.weebly.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

Slow Drag with Remedy on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1f521a34-2ed9-4bd4-a936-1ad107969046/slow-drag-with-remedy-an-elvis-costello-appreciation

References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, "Almost Beaten to the Punch" https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Beaten_To_The_Punch

"Almost Beaten to the Punch" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoDQS0Zd110

Semantic Satiation: https://www.verywellmind.com/semantic-satiation-why-words-become-meaningless-8650932

"Almost Beaten to the Punch" Lyrics

You say that you can and then you run and get your mummy

And you're almost beaten to the punch

Looking for the man who sold you the dummy

And you're almost beaten to the punch

Laughing at the older guys who say it's just as well

Saved by the wedding bell

Almost beaten to the punch

You're looking for somebody new that you can knock about

You are almost beaten to the punch

If you've got a head for figures then you'd better count me out

You were almost beaten to the punch

You pulled the piece but you soon called it love

You go hand in glove

Almost beaten to the punch

Your body speaks much louder than your voice

You let it do the talking so I don't have any choice

Now you find the younger guys are putting up resistance

And you're almost beaten to the punch

You better get out now because you'll never go the distance

And you're almost beaten to the punch

You'll find a girl and you'll promise her anything

Even a wedding ring

Almost beaten to the punch

Today's slow drag is with "Forgive Her Anything," from "Blood & Chocolate," Rykodisc/Demon Edition, released in 1995, with a slightly longer version, a "home demo," with opposing pronouns that profoundly shift the perspective of each iteration, found on the Rhino/Edsel version of "Mighty Like a Rose," released in 2002. The songwriting is credited to Elvis Costello's birth name.

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Show Notes:

Appreciation written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Riot, MA,MFA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slow_drag_remedy/

Bluesky Social: https://bsky.app/profile/slowdragwithremedy.com

Email: [email protected]

"Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, Podcasts" https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Podcasts

Transcription: https://slowdragwithremedy.weebly.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

Slow Drag with Remedy on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1f521a34-2ed9-4bd4-a936-1ad107969046/slow-drag-with-remedy-an-elvis-costello-appreciation

References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, "Forgive Her Anything" https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Forgive_Her_Anything

"Forgive Her Anything" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65OoQsZ8DjI

"Forgive Her Anything" Home Demo Rhino Bonus Discs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuVP-gO4giI

"Forgive Her Anything" Lyrics

Oh, the TV went off like three day old milk

They shut this town down better than most

And it always was less of an idea and more of a boast

Oh, you're burning in the bloom of life

'Til you're powder in the grave

Or you're pounding on the counter begging for more

'Til you evaporate

You'd forgive her anything

When you look like you, my pretty miss

I wonder where you are tonight

When this place becomes pitiless

Oh, she offered it all but she forgot to say when

Oh, this won't hurt a bit, oh, this won't hurt again

When the roof comes down and the walls move in

Oh, I didn't know it could feel like that

When your face turned away and the day turned black

And the rain fell like a curtain

Oh, it's my turn to begin

To forgive her anything

You'd forgive her anything

If you knew what I know

You'd forgive her anything

Say, where did all my pride go?

You'd forgive her anything

If you knew what I have known

I've been given and forgotten

More than you will ever know

Alternative Lyrics:

Why is the radio so brutally cheerful

This endless happiness overdose

That it always was less of an idea and more of a boast

Now you're burning in the bloom of life

Until you're powder in the grave

Or you're pounding on the counter begging for more

Till you evaporate

Chorus:

You'd forgive her anything

If you could win back her tender kiss

You wonder where she is tonight

As this town becomes pitiless

Well, you couldn't sleep, you don't want to think anymore

You listen for a footfall, a key in the door

As the roof comes down and the walls move in

So you didn't know it could feel like that

Till the face turned away and the day turned black

And the rain fell like a curtain

Now it's your turn to begin

To forgive her anything

(Repeat Chorus)

You'd forgive her anything

If you knew what I know

You'd forgive her anything

Say, where did all your pride go?

Today's slow drag is with "Talking in the Dark," ostensibly from "Armed Forces," and then again in many other places, culminating with a Rhino/Edsel reissue in 2002. The songwriting is credited to Elvis Costello.

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Show Notes:

Appreciation written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Riot, MA,MFA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slow_drag_remedy/

Bluesky Social: https://bsky.app/profile/slowdragwithremedy.com

Email: [email protected]

"Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, Podcasts" https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Podcasts

Transcription: https://slowdragwithremedy.weebly.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

Slow Drag with Remedy on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1f521a34-2ed9-4bd4-a936-1ad107969046/slow-drag-with-remedy-an-elvis-costello-appreciation

References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, "Talking in The Dark" https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Talking_In_The_Dark

"Talking in The Dark" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JnSChQtbiQ

"Talking in The Dark" Lyrics

I tried in vain to drive myself insane

I talk to myself but I don't listen

I found out what I was missing

I miss talking in the dark

Without you, I'm not conversational

Without the sense of the occasional

Without you, I miss talking in the dark

When the barking and the biting is through

We can talk like we're in love or talk like we're above it

We can talk and talk until we talk ourselves out of it

I look for the news, somebody to abuse

I look at myself but it's so chancy

I see things that I don't fancy

I miss talking in the dark

Without you, I'm not conversational

Without the sense of the occasional

Without you, I miss talking in the dark

Without you, I miss talking in the dark

Today's slow drag is with "Just About Glad" from "Brutal Youth," released in 1993. The songwriting is credited to Elvis Costello's birth name.

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Show Notes:

Appreciation written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Riot, MA,MFA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slow_drag_remedy/

Bluesky Social: https://bsky.app/profile/slowdragwithremedy.com

Email: [email protected]

"Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, Podcasts" https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Podcasts

Transcription: https://slowdragwithremedy.weebly.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

Slow Drag with Remedy on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1f521a34-2ed9-4bd4-a936-1ad107969046/slow-drag-with-remedy-an-elvis-costello-appreciation

References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, "Just About Glad" https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Just_About_Glad

"Just About Glad" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgRHdpTkX7c

"Just About Glad" Lyrics

I'm just about glad that I knew you once

And it was more than just a passing acquaintance

I'm just about glad that it was a memory

That doesn't need constant maintenance

There are a few things that I regret

But nothing that I need to forget

For all of the courage that we never had

I'm just about glad

(Chorus:)

Just about glad we didn't do that thing

Just about glad we didn't have that fling

Just about glad we didn't give it a try

Just about glad, is that a tear in your eye?

And on the few times I rang to propose

There was a man there or so I'd suppose

The greatest lover that you never had

I'm just about glad

They called time and vodka and lime

In some far flung Canadian club

Just about glad

And there I was just waiting to fall

Like a toe just aching to stub

Just about glad

Later on I could never accept it

When you finally gave it all to him

Just about glad

And you said that my nurse was sweet

But her lamp was just beginning to dim

I'm just about glad

That we never did that thing that we were going to do

I'm just about glad I can look you in the eye

But I can't say the same for you

And though the passion still flutters and flickers

It never got into our knickers

For all of the courage that we never had

I'm just about, I'm just about

I'm just about, I'm just about

(flutter and wow from the song of the same name, to flutter or flatter from Like Licorice)

(Repeat Chorus)

And it's all just a stupid creation

Of my feverish imagination

If I'm the greatest lover that you never had

I'm just about, I'm just about

I'm just about, I'm just about

(Repeat Chorus)

Is that a tear in your eye?

Is that a tear in your eye?

Is that a tear in your eye?

Today's slow drag is with "Like Licorice" from "The Coward Brothers," released in 2024. The songwriting is credited to Howard Coward.

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Show Notes:

Appreciation written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Riot, MA,MFA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slow_drag_remedy/

Bluesky Social: https://bsky.app/profile/slowdragwithremedy.com

Email: [email protected]

"Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, Podcasts" https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Podcasts

Transcription: https://slowdragwithremedy.weebly.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

Slow Drag with Remedy on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1f521a34-2ed9-4bd4-a936-1ad107969046/slow-drag-with-remedy-an-elvis-costello-appreciation

References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, "Like Licorice" https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Like_Licorice

"Like Licorice" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ-rtPoEQcg&list=RDjQ-rtPoEQcg&start_radio=1

"Humans from Earth" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK5dNeM4Zls

"Days" Elvis Costello version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmivtDdL-Fo

"People Limousine" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1zhyFvcv9o

"Like Licorice" Lyrics

Gets down to the matter

Gets down to the root

To flutter or flatter

In hot pursuit

Like Licorice

Like Licorice

On your tongue

It might get a little ticklish

But it won't take long

Some say they only found one little piece

A relation of Anna and anise

The sweetness of candy

The thrill of your fears

The tart of your tongue

And the salt of your tears

Like Licorice

Like Licorice

On your tongue

It might get a little ticklish

But it won't take long

Give 'em what they want, a promise of a dream

A ticket on a time machine

A voyage to nowhere on a magic stick

Maybe you can give it a lick

Like Licorice

Like Licorice

On your tongue

Like Licorice

Like Licorice

On your tongue

It might get a little ticklish

But it won't take long

It won't take long

It won't take long

Today's slow drag is with "Lover's Walk" from "Trust," released in 1981. The songwriting is credited to Elvis Costello.

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Show Notes:

Appreciation written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Robinson, MA,MFA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slow_drag_remedy/

Bluesky Social: https://bsky.app/profile/slowdragwithremedy.com

Email: [email protected]

"Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, Podcasts" https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Podcasts

Transcription: https://slowdragwithremedy.weebly.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

Slow Drag with Remedy on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1f521a34-2ed9-4bd4-a936-1ad107969046/slow-drag-with-remedy-an-elvis-costello-appreciation

References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, "Lover's Walk" https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Lovers_Walk

"Lover's Walk" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNCIzaBliTY

"Lover's Walk" Lyrics

I won't walk with my head bowed

Beyond caution where lovers walk

Your love walks where three's a crowd

Beyond caution where lovers walk

Lovers walk, lovers scramble

Beyond caution where lovers walk

Lovers step, shuffle and gamble

Beyond caution where lovers walk

Lovers trip, lovers stumble

Lovers dip, lovers fumble (is that the word?)

Lovers lip where love has crumbled

Beyond caution where lovers walk

Lovers strut, lovers stroll, lovers leap

Lovers late, lovers wait

Making promises that they can't keep

Lovers link up arm in arm

Lovers slink up, lovers charm

Lovers drink up and come to harm

Beyond caution where lovers walk

Love is gone and it's no one's fault

Love has stopped here, lovers halt

Lovers don't walk, lovers run

Will you look what love has done

Will you look what love has done

Will you look what love has done

Beyond caution where lovers walk

Now love's limping on a lover's crutch

Looking for a hand with a personal touch

Beyond caution where lovers walk

Today's slow drag is with "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" from "My Aim is True," released in 1977. The songwriting is credited to Elvis Costello's birth name.

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Show Notes:

Appreciation written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Robinson, MA,MFA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slow_drag_remedy/

Bluesky Social: https://bsky.app/profile/slowdragwithremedy.com

Email: [email protected]

"Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, Podcasts" https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Podcasts

Transcription: https://slowdragwithremedy.weebly.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

Slow Drag with Remedy on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1f521a34-2ed9-4bd4-a936-1ad107969046/slow-drag-with-remedy-an-elvis-costello-appreciation

References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=(The_Angels_Wanna_Wear_My)_Red_Shoes

"(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS8oaMFsBEk

Got vs. Gotten https://ellii.com/blog/got-vs-gotten

(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes lyrics:

Oh, I used to be disgusted

and now I try to be amused.

But since their wings have got rusted,

you know, the angels wanna wear my red shoes.

But when they told me 'bout their side of the bargain,

that's when I knew that I could not refuse

And I won't get any older, now the angels wanna wear my red shoes

I was watching while you're dancing away

Our love got fractured in the echo and sway

How come everybody wants to be your friend?

You know that it still hurts me just to say it

Oh, I know that she's disgusted (oh why's that)

Cause she's feeling so abused. (oh that's too bad)

She gets tired of the lust, (oh I'm so sad)

but it's so hard to refuse

How can you say that I'm too old,

when the angels have stolen my red shoes.

Oh, I said "I'm so happy, I could die"

She said "Drop dead," then left with another guy

That's what you get if you go chasing after vengeance.

Ever since you got me punctured this has been my sentence.

Oh, I used to be disgusted

and now I try to be amused.

But since their wings have got rusted,

you know, the angels wanna wear my red shoes.

Red shoes, the angels wanna wear my red shoes.

Today's slow drag is with "We Are All Cowards Now" from "Hey Clockface," released in 2020. The songwriting is credited to Elvis Costello.

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Show Notes:

Appreciation written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Robinson, MA,MFA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slow_drag_remedy/

Bluesky Social: https://bsky.app/profile/slowdragwithremedy.com

Email: [email protected]

"Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, Podcasts" https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Podcasts

Transcription: https://slowdragwithremedy.weebly.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

Slow Drag with Remedy on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1f521a34-2ed9-4bd4-a936-1ad107969046/slow-drag-with-remedy-an-elvis-costello-appreciation

References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, "We Are All Cowards Now" https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=We_Are_All_Cowards_Now

"We Are All Cowards Now" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8r_F_4AjVE

"We Are All Cowards Now" lyrics

Time has taught us

That they're sending out their sons

To take away our guns and our daughters

We are all cowards now

Rivers rising

Darkness fell upon

People blotting out the sun

Disguising how

We are all cowards now

At least the Emperor Nero had an ear for music

But that's history

Caligula said "God's speed, my steed"

But that's his story

They're coming for our Peacemakers

Our Winchesters and Colts

The rattle of our Gatling Guns

Our best cowboy revolts and threats and insults

We are all cowards now

The emptiness of arms

The openness of thighs

The pornography of bullets

The promises and prizes can't disguise

We are all cowards now

They're draping stones with colours

And a roll of stolen names

Except those we never cared about

And those we need to blame

We'll extinguish that flame, just the same

We are all cowards now

Arms are empty

The pornography of plenty

Count commands from one to ten

Number sins from ten to twenty

There's an illusion we believe in

There is honour in their need

Pretty confetti, chemical debt

And a necessity to bleed

My fears too fleet to scupper

My prayers too thin to scream

On my lover's back a zipper

On her limb a straightened seam

So, close the windows tightly

Lower lamps and shades

On the screen, silent rehearsals

For tomorrow's parades

For tomorrow's parades

For tomorrow's parades

We are all cowards now

Additional lyrics from live performances:

In a box of lies

In a shimmering air

There's a whispered curse

There's a mumbled prayer

No choice but to scan the sky up above

At least pretend we can surrender to love

At least pretend we can surrender to love

Put up your hands

Put up your hands

Put up your hands

Speak up for beauty

Throw down your arms

Undo your duty

For the wounds of the past

Some fool will say

Pardon these crimes committed today

We are all cowards now