Costello, Elvis - American Without Tears #2 (Twilight Version) Lyrics
December 1965 in Caracas
When Arnie LaFlamme(?) took his piece of the pie
When he packed up the casino chips, the IOU and the abacus
And switched off the jukebox in a "A Fool Such as I"
He was a leg man who was open to offers
and as he entertained himself singing just like Sammy Davis Junior
He toyed with a trip to Miami
For money like that
he could have sweet talk in her ear
Now they don't speak any English
Just American without tears
It was an idea that he dandled on his knee
and nursed it like his coffee cup
It always seemed to come to him
while the day was dipping down
and sun was like a light bulb
being swallowed by a clown
He took her for everything
He took her for his only one
He took her out of Coventry and over to Idaho
But the war wound that he carried home
wasn't really visible
When the bullets were forgotton
she lived dowdy, down, and miserable
And she seemed to be crying for year after year
and says, "You don't speak any English
Just American between tears."
"Arnie" she said to me, "Will you turn down the radio.
You haven't slept a wink since we came to Havana
When're you gonna get the strength to go over to Florida?
All you ever listen to is 'The Voice of America'."
It was the story of a young English poppet
Who took up with a soldier boy
And thought she would profit
Just like me she found out what true love is about
Anyway she's in New Orleans It would never work out
Oh she seemed to be crying for year after year
Now you don't speak any English
Just American between tears
Just American without tears
For you seem to be crying for year after year
Now you don't speak any English
Just American without tears
Just American without tears
Other Lyrics by Artist
- Costello, Elvis - 45
- Costello, Elvis - You Turned To Me
- Costello, Elvis - Fallen
- Costello, Elvis - When It Sings
- Costello, Elvis - Still
- Costello, Elvis - Let Me Tell You About Her
- Costello, Elvis - Can You Be True?
- Costello, Elvis - When Green Eyes Turn Blue
- Costello, Elvis - I'm In The Mood Again
- Costello, Elvis - Impatience
- Costello, Elvis - Too Blue
- Costello, Elvis - North
- Costello, Elvis - Button My Lip
- Costello, Elvis - Country Darkness
- Costello, Elvis - There's A Story In Your Voice
- Costello, Elvis - Either Side Of The Same Town
- Costello, Elvis - When Did I Stop Dreaming?
- Costello, Elvis - Someone Took The Words Away
Rand Lyrics
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Costello, Elvis American Without Tears #2 (Twilight Version) Comments
So hard to find this amazing song recorded. Love it.
A bit more proof that Elvis is today's Cole Porter, with a splash of Dylan for good measure...
Thanks for posting Lpstd1,
These have long been two of my favourite Costello songs - it took me a long time to realise it was two songs.
Brilliant to have Elvis givesome background to the songs