Elvis Costello : Misc

D

D/c#

It's at times such as this she'd be tempted to spit

Bm

D7/a

If she wasn't so ladylike

G

D/f#

She imagines how she might have lived

Em

Em/f#

Em/g

A

Back when legends and history collide

D

D/c#

Bm

So she looks to her prince finding since he's so charmingly

D7/a

Slumped at her side

G

D/f#

Those days are recalled on the gallery wall

Bm

Bm/a

E

And she's waiting for passion or humor to strike

A

G

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

G

A

D

All this useless beauty

D

D/c#

Good Friday arrived, the sky darkened on time

Bm

D7/a

'Til he almost began to negotiate

G

D/f#

Em

Em/f#

Em/g

A

She held his head like a baby and said "It's OK if you cry"

D

D/c#

Now he wants her to dress as if you couldn't guess

Bm

D7/a

He desires to impress his associates

G

D/f#

But he's part ugly beast and Hellenic deceased

Bm

Bm/a

E

So she finds that the mixture is hard to deny

C

D

G

She won't practice the looks from the great tragic books

G

G/f#

Em

That were later disgraced to face celluloid

C

D

G

It won't even make sense but you can bet

C

D

G

If she isn't a sweetheart or plaything or pet

C

A

The film turns her into an unveiled threat

D

D/c#

Nonsense prevails, modesty fails

Bm

A

Grace and virtue turn into stupidity

G

D/f#

Em

Em/f#

Em/g

A

While the calendar fades almost all barricades to a pale compromise

D

D/c#

And our leaders have feasts on the backsides of beasts

Bm

A

They still think they're the gods of antiquity

G

D/f#

If something you missed didn't even exist

Bm

Bm/a

E

It was just an ideal -- is it such a surprise?

Dm9 100210

E+ xx2110

E7 xx0100

Bm7b5 123231

Bb6 xx3333

Adim x02210

C#dim xx2323

Am

Dm9

E+

Am

Almost blue

Bm7b5

E7

Am

Almost doing things we used to do

Bm7b5

C

F

There's a girl here and she's almost you

E

Dm

Almost

Am

Adim

All the things that your eyes once promised

C

Bb6

A

I see in hers too

Dm

Bm7b5

E+

Now your eyes are red from crying

Am

B7

Am

Almost blue

F

Bm7b5

C

C#dim

Flirting with this disaster became me

Dm

Bm7b5

E

It named me as the fool who only aimed to be

Am

Almost blue

Bm7b5

E7

Am

It's almost touching it will almost do

Bm7b5

C

F

E

Dm

There's a part of me that's always true.... always

Am

Adim

C

Bb6

A

Not all good things come to an end now it is only a chosen few

Dm

Bm7b5

E+

I've seen such an unhappy couple

Am

Almost me

Bm7b5

Almost you

Am

Almost blue

E

A

"Abel was able" so Vivian said

D

A/e

E

Her shoulders flung forward, her lips in a purse

E

A

She talks like the beauty that she never was

D

A/e

E

Of the fabulous wild nights that she never has

D/a

E

In a certain light he looked like Elvis

D/a

E

In a certain way he feels like Jesus

E

A

Everyone dreams of him just as they can

D

A/e

E

But he's only the humble delivery man Geraldine blushes and brushes away The cigarette ashes that Vivian scatters Stares out of the window at the things that she says While the gossip within her competes with the widow Ever since he's gone, she feels like crying all the time She knows for sure Vivian is lying Now she has a daughter to raise as she can But she just wouldn't trust that delivery man

C

Am

Ivy puts down the ghost story she's reading

G

Looks up at that face on the wall

C

Am

Thinking about how her father lay bleeding

C

Am

Shot in the back 'cause orders were misleading

C

A7

How a flag and a medal don't have any meaning On the 5th of July as they tore down the fair And he'd seen all the local girls who were worth kissing With the smell of the gunpowder still in the air They noticed that Abel and Ivy were missing In a certain light he looked like Elvis In a certain way he seemed like Jesus He said "Why can't you be kind to me like you were meant to be?" When they let me out I had a brand new identity Now everyone dreams of me just as they can I want to be your delivery man In a certain light he looked like Elvis In a certain way he seemed like Jesus In a certain light he looked like Elvis In a certain way he seemed like Jesus In a certain light he looked like Elvis In a certain way he felt like Jesus

Capo:

IV

Intro

Am

Em

Fmaj7

G

Am

Em

Fmaj7

G

Verse (Form A)

C

Em

Don't tell me you don't know what love is

Am

Em

When you're old enough to know better

Am

Dm

When you find strange hands in your sweater

Em

When your dreamboat

A

Turns out to be a footnote

Dm

I'm a man with a mission

Em

G

In two or three editions, and

Chorus (Form B)

C

Em

F

G

I'm giving you a longing look

C

Em

F

Everyday, everyday, everyday

G

C

Everyday I write the book

Em

F

G

Verse (Form C)

Am

Chapter one, we didn't really get along

C

Em

C

Chapter two, I think I fell in love with you

Am

You said you'd, stand by me in the middle of Chapter three

Dm

But you were up to your old tricks in Chapters

Em

G

Four, five, and six, and

Chorus

C

Em

F

G

I'm giving you a longing look

C

Em

F

Everyday, everyday, everyday

G

C

Everyday I write the book

Em

F

G

Verse (Form C)

Am

The way you walk

C

The way you talk and try to kiss me and laugh

Em

C

In four or five paragraphs

Am

All your compliments and your cutting remarks

Dm

Em

G

Are captured here in my quotation marks, and

Chorus

C

Em

F

G

I'm giving you a longing look

C

Em

F

Everyday, everyday, everyday

G

Am

Everyday I write the book

Am

Em

Fmaj7

G

Ooh oooooh Everyday I write the book

Verse (Form A)

C

Em

Don't tell me you don't know the difference

Am

Em

Between a lover and a fighter

Am

Dm

With my pen and my electric typewriter

Em

Even in a perfect world

A

Where everyone was equal

Dm

I'd still own the film rights

Em

G

And be working on the sequel, and

Chorus

C

Em

F

G

I'm giving you a longing look

C

Em

F

Everyday, everyday, everyday

G

C

Everyday I write the book

Em

F

Everyday, everyday

G

C

Everyday I write the book

Em

F

Everyday, everyday

G

Am

Everyday I write the book

Outro

Ooh ooh oooooh

Am

Em

Fmaj7

C

Em

F

G

C

A

I can hardly bare the sight of lipstick

D

A

On the cigarettes there in the ashtray Lying cold the way you left them

D

A

But at least your lips caressed them while you packed

D

And a lip print on a half-filled cup of coffee

A

That you poured and didn't drink

E7

But at least you thought you wanted it

A

That's so much more than I can say for me

D

What a good year for the roses

E7

A

Many blooms still linger there

Bm7

The lawn could stand another mowing

E7

A

Funny, I don't even care

D

As you turned to walk away

E7

D

A

As the door behind you closes

Bm7

The only thing I know to say

E7

A

D

A/c#

E7

A

It's been a good year for the roses

D/a

A

After three full years of marriage It's the first time that you haven't made the bed I guess the reason we're not talking There's so little left to say, we haven't said While a million thoughts go running through my mind I find I haven't said a word From the bedroom the familiar sound Of our one baby's crying goes un-heard What a good year for the roses Many blooms still linger there The lawn could stand another mowing Funny, I don't even care As you turned to walk away As the door behind you closes The only thing I know to say It's been a good year for the roses

C

Am

I'm the living result

F

G

I'm a man who's been hurt a little too much

C

E7

Am

F

And I've tasted the bitterness of my own tears

C

E7

Am

F

Sadness, is all my lonely heart can feel

C

F

C

F

I can't stand up for falling down

C

F

C

F

I can't stand up for falling down Simple though love is, still it confused me Why I'm not loved, the way I should be Now I've lived with heartaches, and I've roomed with fear I've dealt with despair, and I've wrestled with tears I can't stand up for falling down I can't stand up for falling down

F

Fm

The vow that we made

C

C7

You broke it in two

F

Fm

G

But that don't stop me from loving you I can't stand up for falling down I can't stand up for falling down

|

Bm

A

|

G

A

|

Bm

A

G

A

Photographs of fancy tricks

Bm

A

G

A

To get your kicks at sixty six

Bm

A

G

A

He thinks of all the lips that he licks

Bm

A

G

A

And all the girls that he's going to fix! She gave a little flirt, gave herself a little cuddle But there's no place here for the mini-skirt waddle Capital punishment, she's last years model

G

A

G

A

They call her Natasha when she looks like Elsie

G

F#m

Em

D

I don't want to go to Chelsea!

G

D

G

D

Oh, no, it does not move me

G

D

G

D

Even though I've seen the movie

G

D

G

D

I don't want to check your pulse

G

D

G

D

I don't want nobody else

G

D

E

I don't want to go to Chelsea! |

Bm

A

|

G

A

| Everybody's got new orders Be a nice girl, and kiss the warders Now the teacher is away All the kids begin to play! |

Bm

A

|

G

A

| Men come screaming, dressed in white coats Shake you very gently by the throat One's named Gus, one's named Alfie I don't want to go to Chelsea! Oh, no, it does not move me Even though I've seen the movie I don't want to check your pulse I don't want nobody else I don't want to go to Chelsea! |

Bm

A

|

G

A

| Photographs of fancy tricks To get your kicks at sixty six He thinks of all the lips that he licks And all the girls that he's going to fix! She gave a little flirt, gave herself a little cuddle But there's no place here for the mini-skirt waddle Capital punishment, she's last years model They call her Natasha when she looks like Elsie I don't want to go to Chelsea! Oh, no, it does not move me Even though I've seen the movie I don't want to check your pulse I don't want nobody else I don't want to go to Chelsea! |

Bm

A

|

G

A

|

Bm

|

Em

Em/f#

G

G/b

C

B

B/f#

e|-----0----------3------|-----0-----2------|

B|-----0----------3------|-----1-----4------|

G|-----0----------0------|-----0-----4------|

D|-----2----------0------|-----2-----4------|

A|-----2----------2---2--|--3-----3--2------|

E|--0------2----3--------|---------------2--|

Intro

A

E7

A

E

Oh, my baby, baby, I love you more than I can tell

A

A7

D

D/a

I don't think I can live without you

A

E

A

E7

And I know that I never will

A

E7

A

E

Oh, my baby, baby, I want you so, it scares me ...to death

A

A7

D

D/a

I can't say any - more than "I love you!"

A

G

F#m

Em(vii)

Everything else is a waste of breath!

Verse 1

Em

G

C

B

Em

I want you! You've had your fun, you don't get well no more

Em

G

C

B

Ebm

I want you! Your fingernails go dragging down the wall

B

C

B

Be careful, darling, you might fall!

Verse 2

Em

G

C

B

Em

I want you! I woke up, and one of us was crying

G

C

B

Em

I want you! You said, "Young man, I do believe you're dying!"

G

C

B

I want you! If you need a second opinion

Em

As you seem to do, these days

G

C

B

I want you! You can look in my eyes

Ebm

B

C

B

And you can count the ways!

Verse 3

Em

G

C

B

Em

I want you! Did you mean to tell me, but seem to forget?

G

C

B

Em

I want you! Since when were you so generous, and inarticulate?

G

C

B

Em

G

I want you, but it's the stupid details that my heart is breaking for

C

B

Em

It's the way your shoulders shake, and what they're shaking for

G

C

B

Em

I want you! It's knowing that he knows you now, after only guessing

G

C

B

It's the thought of him undressing you

Ebm

B

C

B

Or... you undressing!

Verse 4

Em

G

C

B

Em

I want you! He tossed some tatty compliment your way

G

C

B

I want you, and you were fool enough to love it...

Ebm

Em

G

C

B

... When he said, "I... want you!"

Break

e |-------------------|----------------| [x2]

B |-------------------|----------------|

G |---~9---~9----~9---|----~9----~9----|

D |-~8---~8----~8-----|--~8----~8------|

A |-------------------|----------------|

E |-------------------|----------------|

Verse 5

Em

G

C

B

Em

I want you! The truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark

G

C

B

Em

It scares you witless, but, in time, you see things clear and stark

G

C

B

Em

I want you! Go on, and hurt me, then we'll let it drop

G

C

B

Em

I want you! I'm afraid I won't know where to stop

G

C

B

Em

I want you! I'm not ashamed to say, I cried for you!

Verse 6

G

C

B

Em

I want you! I want to know the things you did, that we did too

G

C

B

Em

I want you! I want to hear he pleases you more than I do

G

C

B

Em

I want you! I might as well be useless for all it means to you

G

C

B

Em

I want you! Did you call his name out as he held you down?

G

C

B

Em

I want you! Oh, no, my darling, not with that clown

G

C

B

I..... want you!

Verse 7

Em

G

C

B

Em

I want you! You've had your fun, you don't get well no more

G

C

B

Ebm

I want you! No one who wants you, could want you more!

Em

G

C

B

I want you!

Em

G

C

B

I want you!

Em

G

C

B

Em

I want you! Every night, when I go off to bed

G

C

B

And when I wake up, I want you!

Em

G

C

B

Em

G

I'm gonna say it once again, 'til I instill it...

C

B

Em

G

I'm going... going to feel this way until you... kill it...

C

B

Em

G

C

B

Em

G

I want you! I... want you!

C

B

Em

G

C

B

Em

I... want you!

|

F

C

|

Bb

. |

F

C

Bb

Sisters four and brothers three

F

C

Bb

Hanging off the family tree

F

C

Bb

Practising for getting old

F

C

Bb

Do you want your fortune told?

Am

They're looking for you high and low Now there's nowhere for you to go So you'll just have to come out and face the music

F

C

Bb

Jacksons, Monk and Rowe Long ago when we were kids And we cut your hair to bits As we carried off like spoils The heads we'd smash right off your dolls But the wind is changing you know Are you sure of your friends and your foe Have you got what it takes to carry it off? Jacksons, Monk and Rowe As the sun beats down And life begins to complicate Will we both incinerate If we touch that brass name-plate Messrs all, noble sirs Highly paid solicitors Find enclosed my signed divorce Sad proceedings you endorse The burden of pity will show In the people we used to know Have you got enough strength to carry it off? Jacksons, Monk and Rowe

C

F

Nothing clings like Ivy

Am

Frightened by the dark

E

A

Though she cuts deep

Dm

G

It never leaves a mark No one quite like Ivy Ever gets it straight What she believes She won't negotiate

G

/b

C

F

All the words of tenderness

G

/f#

/f

That never quite got through

G

/b

C

F

She says, "You know how young girls are

G

/f#

/f

From my contempt for you" Outside in the hollow She may dare herself For there may be A serpent in the grass Nothing clings like Ivy Trying to scare herself And it may strike or Wait for her to pass All the words of tenderness That she never possessed "So what's the use of promises?" "I had my fingers crossed"

C

|

Cm(maj7)

|

C

E

A

|

Dm

G

|

Gsus4

All the words of tenderness That never quite got through She said, "I laughed behind your back When I told them to you" Nothing clings like Ivy Frightened by the dark Though she cuts deep

Dm

C

It never leaves a mark

Capo:

I

C

C/e

F

G

C

C/a

She may be the face I can't forget

F

The trace of pleasure or regret

C

A

Maybe my treasure or the price I have to pay

Dm

Fm

She may be the song that summer sings

C

May be the chill that autumn brings

F/g

May be a hundred different things

G

C

F

G

Within the measure of a day

C

C/a

She may be the beauty or the beast

F

May be the famine or the feast

C

A

May turn each day into a Heaven or a Hell

Dm

Fm

She may be the mirror of my dreams

C

A smile reflected in a stream

F/g

She may not be what she may seem

G

C

F

G

Inside her shell...

G#

D#

She, who always seems so happy in a crowd

C#

Whose eyes can be so private and so proud

C

No one's allowed to see them when they cry

Fm

Bb

D#

She maybe the love that cannot hope to last

C

D

May come to me from shadows in the past

D

G

That I remember till the day I die

C

C/a

She maybe the reason I survive

F

The why and wherefore I'm alive

C

A

The one I care for through the rough and ready years

Dm

Fm

Me, I'll take the laughter and her tears

C

And make them all my souvenirs

D

For where she goes I've got to be

G

The meaning of my life is

F

C

Fm

She... She

G

C

Oh, she....

C#dim xx2323

Eb7 x79797

Am

|

C

|

D

|

D

|

Em

Em/d#

Is it worth it

Em/d

C#dim

D

A new winter coat and shoes for the wife

Dm

Cm7

And a bicycle on the boy's birthday

D

G

It's just a rumour that was spread around town

C

D

By the women and children

G

Soon we'll be shipbuilding

Em

Em/d#

Well I ask you

Em/d

C#dim

D

The boy said "Dad they're going to take me to task

Dm

Cm7

But I'll be back by Christmas"

D

G

It's just a rumour that was spread around town

Cmaj7

D

Somebody said that someone got filled in

Cmaj7

D

For saying that people get killed in

Cmaj7

D

G

The result of this shipbuilding

G7

With all the will in the world

Eb6

Diving for dear life

D

G

When we could be diving for pearls

Em

Em/d#

Em/d

C#dim

D

Dm

Cm7

D

G

It's just a rumour that was spread around town

Cmaj7

D

A telegram or a picture postcard

Cmaj7

D

Within weeks they'll be re-opening the shipyards

Cmaj7

D

G

And notifying the next of kin once again

G7

It's all we're skilled in

Eb6

D

G

We will be shipbuilding

Gm

With all the will in the world

Eb6

D

Diving for dear life

D

Em

When we could be diving for pearls

Em/d#

Em/d

C#dim

D

Dm

Cm7

D

G

Cmaj7

D

Cmaj7

D

Cmaj7

D

G

G7

It's all we're skilled in

Eb6

D

G

We will be shipbuilding

Gm

With all the will in the world

Eb6

D

Diving for dear life

D

When we could be diving for pearls

D

When we could be diving for pearls

D

Em

When we could be diving for pearls

Elvis Costello : Misc

All This Useless Beauty

Almost Blue

The Delivery Man

Everyday I Write The Book

Good Year For The Roses

I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down

(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea

I Want You

Jacksons, Monk And Rowe

Nothing Clings Like Ivy

She

Shipbuilding