This version of All This Useless Beauty was released by Elvis Costello in 1996.
Our About Elvis Costello page at Decade Lyrics includes the
Here's more interesting things in songs and lyrics tied to Elvis Costello or about the 1990s in general.
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
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?
Want more lyrics and songs by Elvis Costello?
Elvis Costello has released many songs over the years besides
If you're a fan of 1990s music looking for more songs from 1996 or the 1990s overall, you've come to the right place!
More Songs & Lyrics by Elvis Costello
- (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes (1977)
- Alison (1977)
- Blame It On Cain (1977)
- Cheap Reward (1977)
- I’m Not Angry (1977)
- Imagination (Is A Powerful Deceiver) (1977)
- Jump Up (1977)
- Less Than Zero (1977)
- Miracle Man (1977)
Show More Lyrics
- Mystery Dance (1977)
- No Dancing (1977)
- Pay It Back (1977)
- Poison Moon (1977)
- Radio Sweetheart (1977)
- Sneaky Feelings (1977)
- Stranger In The House (1977)
- Waiting For The End Of The World (1977)
- Watching The Detectives (1977)
- Wave A White Flag (1977)
- Welcome To The Working Week (1977)
- (I Don’t Want To Go To) Chelsea (1978)
- Big Boys (1978)
- Big Tears (1978)
- Crawling To The U.S.A. (1978)
- Green Shirt (1978)
- Hand In Hand (1978)
- Lip Service (1978)
- Lipstick Vogue (1978)
- Little Triggers (1978)
- Living In Paradise (1978)
- Night Rally (1978)
- No Action (1978)
- Pump It Up (1978)
- Radio Radio (1978)
- Running Out Of Angels (1978)
- The Beat (1978)
- This Year’s Girl (1978)
- You Belong To Me (1978)
- (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding (1979)
- Accidents Will Happen (1979)
- Busy Bodies (1979)
- Chemistry Class (1979)
- Clean Money (1979)
- Goon Squad (1979)
- Moods For Moderns (1979)
- My Funny Valentine (1979)
- Oliver’s Army (1979)
- Party Girl (1979)
- Senior Service (1979)
- Sunday’s Best (1979)
Visit our Elvis Costello profile for more Elvis Costello songs, lyrics & info!
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