Costello, Elvis - Good Year For The Roses Lyrics






I can hardly bear the sight of lipstick
On the cigarettes there in the ashtray
Lyin' cold the way you left 'em,
But at least your lips caressed them
While you packed
Or the lip-print on a half-filled cup of coffee
That you poured and didn't drink
But at least you thought you wanted it,
Tat's so much more than I can say for me
What a good year for the roses
Many blooms still linger there
The lawn could stand another mowin'
Funny I don't even care
As you turn to walk away
As the door behind you closes
The only thing I have to say
It's been a good year for the roses

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 talkin',
Tere's so little left to say we haven't said
While a million thoughts go racin' through my mind
I find I haven't said a word
From the bedroom the familiar sound
Of a baby's cryin' goes unheard

What a good year for the roses
Many blooms still linger there
The lawn could stand another mowin'
Funny I don't even care
As you turn to walk away
As the door behind you closes
The only thing I have to say
It's been a good year for the roses





Other Lyrics by Artist

Rand Lyrics

Last Posts

Costello, Elvis Good Year For The Roses Comments
  1. y.... ....

    Lol. His videos always have to have some odd element, like two non-descript twins looking on and harmonizing. Lol!

    y.... ....

    The story is that they were filming in a historic house and they wouldn't let them bring a piano in because it would mar the floor so they needed a violin and they rang up the local music teacher to borrow a violin and the teacher sent the girls along to keep an eye on it and they put them in the video. I think the twins make it great. They're soooo nervous.

  2. R.... C....

    Back up vocals by the Lee sisters. Home and Ugh.

  3. B.... H....

    Cynical perfection

  4. S.... S....

    Good to see twins from the shinning still found work .

  5. D.... J....

    CANNOT WAIT TIL
    SUNDAY NOV 10. ST PETERSBURG. Florida
    please play. This..

  6. J.... J....

    i love this song

  7. D.... D....

    Love you Ded....

  8. I.... G....

    England. Rugby World Cup Final in two days time.
    Great day for the roses.

    I.... G....

    Sherman tank

  9. C.... S....

    This was the first song I ever downloaded... Circa 1999 on Napster... Took over an hour to download on dial-up... But worth every penny...

  10. J.... L....

    Even George Jones said he would never sing this song again after hearing Elvis sing it. True praise indeed!

  11. D.... D....

    So much to say, nobody listened# pricks

  12. m.... M....

    j'adore,jolie mélodie,une voix,une musique qui fait rêver dans ce monde de brute

  13. w.... ....

    Always loved this song. Here in 2019. Love the entire album. This is not even the best song on Almost Blue.
    i'm Your Toy" and "Too Far Gone" are even better.

  14. W.... L....

    While preparing with friends for a countdown list of favorite country music songs I just learned that this song I love so much by Elvis Costello... isn't by Costello. All the clues are there: slide guitar player, guested on a George Jones album, and he has borrowed from other past legends, I just never looked close enough. Love it even more now.

  15. A.... N....

    I love this song...good memories, learning many new things. I was sheltered by private school, studying, never went out. Then I got A's in 5 A levels and upset many people by not going to a top Uni to train to be a Dr. I moved into the nursing home at Manchester Royal Infirmary to train to be a Nurse (probably harder, or as hard as, training to be a Dr.). I was lonely at first and listened to this song over and over. Then I discovered "Alison", the Elvis Costello version, and that's my favourite. It could have been written for me, beside me having the same name, as the words almost exactly apply to a time in my life. I was a late starter but I made up for it, and then some. Anyway I love Elvis Costello and his music got me through good and bad times. I've been a Midwife for many years now and glad I didn't become a Dr.

  16. M.... H....

    Who’s listening and loving this in 2019! Great song 👌

    M.... H....

    Listening during lunch, need to learn for karaoke. I like his voice singing it, not as hard edged.

    M.... H....

    I am ....great song

    M.... H....

    Yeah! Going to see Elvis tonight at Graceland Soundstage here in Memphis TN, it's a new venue across from the Elvis Presley mansion, Graceland.

    M.... H....

    The guy is a genius

  17. b.... ....

    He has such an irritating face and voice. And the ego on him to have his own name on his guitar.

  18. t.... p....

    Terrific version of George Jones song, Elvis C is so eclectic with his sounds, variants and also his own style. I also love his persona. So much he has offered to the public. My wife and myself love his history in the music field. We are Australians and love beautiful music. Thankyou Elvis C and everyone that loves this Master, The Master leaves a legacy to others with poetry, songwriting, music and instrumental playing. Thank you.

  19. C.... S....

    Happy birthday, Elvis. Thank you.

    C.... S....

    Probably the most underrated musician ever

    C.... S....

    @Stuart McKern not to us

  20. 4.... 4....

    I never knew Elvis covered this George Jones classic , he definitely ain't George , but does a damn good job for sure !.

  21. M.... M....

    He has a brilliant voice loved every song he sung he puts feelings in it 👍

  22. J.... V....

    Are they his daughters, I wonder?

  23. P.... H....

    Forgot about this song just come across it Pure Class

  24. T.... H....

    I thought this was a song about growing flowers in an old tyre......

  25. S.... M....

    It would bring a tear to a glass eye.

  26. C.... S....

    First song I ever downloaded on Napster... Remember Napster guys...? When music was free... What was your ever first digital download...?

  27. L.... M....

    I don't know why I saved this to my favourites, this song is so sad, I've been there, and I didn't give a fuck about the lawn either. Sometimes melancholia does me good...

  28. a.... K....

    Good tune but he's a twat

    a.... K....

    Good response but you're a twat.

  29. a.... ....

    So, now in the extremely unlikely event that someone asks me "who's the most English?", I can confirm that there's a set of twins from an old Elvis Costello video.

    a.... ....

    except that according to the story apparently in his autobiography,mentioned back in these comments they are the daughters of a local musical instrument shop owner in Scotland so possibly Scottish.

    a.... ....

    @Ian Rutherford "who's the most UK?" just doesn't have the same ring to it.

    a.... ....

    @aleji0 yeah. screw the facts.Go for the ring.I'm not suggesting U.K. or British.You're making a ring out of a none-fact.

  30. J.... S....

    I heard Elvis Costello sing a capella once, without a mic. His voice filled the auditorium.

  31. j.... s....

    And it’s been another good year xx

  32. M.... S....

    Really good cover, the duet version with George Jones (his song) & Alan Jackson can't be beaten though IMO.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m9BObgOcng&list=RD7m9BObgOcng&start_radio=1

  33. R.... P....

    Always liked this version of this track despite the story behind the lyrics its a wonderful piece of music Those kids look like they wish they were somewhere else though lol.

  34. D.... K....

    I must have a bit of dust in my eye...

  35. m.... m....

    Good, not as good as George Jones but good.

  36. M.... G....

    so lay back......

  37. A.... R....

    this album meant so much to us: we the Calgary punk scene in the late 70s early 80s. Because we grew up with this shit: George Jones, Tammy Wynette "Hee Haw" Johnny Cash, etc This LP reminded us of what we loved and what we lost and how it was all OK

  38. D.... ....

    Love Elvis singing this gorgeous song...very apt 🎤🎶🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

    D.... ....

    Do you only speak emoji ?

  39. D.... C....

    youtube has a great video of Jerry Chestnut telling how he wrote it. The story is exactly the opposite of the lyrics. He tells the story, "I got a huge check I wasn't expecting, somebody named Elvis had recorded it."

  40. S.... T....

    How can you even dislike this song

  41. G.... W....

    Classic song, classic musician

  42. K.... H....

    Another masterpiece.

  43. H.... ....

    That was written by JERRY CHESTNUT not Elivis Costello or Paul McCartney!!!!

  44. s.... r....

    Somebody mentioned John McFee (on pedal steel) as a Doobie Brother, but also Clover, and played on My Aim is True.
    Add to that Mars Hotel, and Tupelo Honey. Pretty stellar resume.

  45. R.... ....

    Very good remake of a George Jones tune - very respective of the original.  Thank you for posting this.

  46. S.... P....

    beautiful no end of talent and charisma mr costello .

  47. r.... d....

    Not a big fan but for ffs, what a tune, on about 10 levels, genius!

  48. D.... M....

    Keep coming back to this EC version...he's a class act!

  49. D.... ....

    Iconic song.

  50. S.... C....

    And Elvis is Still King~!

  51. J.... H....

    George Jones

  52. k.... s....

    Here because of Brendon Urie ?!

  53. b.... ....

    Love it.

  54. C.... F....

    Shakespeare, Wordsworth can only dream of command of the English language like Elvis, possesses.

  55. G.... C....

    38 years ago jesus i was 17 still love this track. it got to no6 in the uk

  56. E.... T....

    Again another classic by Elvis Costello!!! Would agree wholeheartedly that his voice compliments melody tone and lyrics of the song! Even his facial expression and the fact that his eyes are hidden by sunglasses adds to the beauty and harmony of the song!! And on a very personal note each time I hear this song, as a resident of Ireland in 2019 I have to smile!!! It's as if you have been keeping track of my life too? Many cigarettes lie in my ashtray but no lipstick stains as I not the greatest with make up and echoes of both sadness yet liberation resound deep within me when I now hear the lyrics "from the bedroom the familiar sound of unborn babies goes unheard" for in 2018 a momentous decision was passed by the Irish public when finally a Democratic Yes Vote was reached and abortion became legal in Ireland!!! Take care of yourself Elvis you will never be forgotten.......😎

  57. L.... G....

    A Good Year for the Roses

    Elvis Costello

    I can hardly bear the sight of lipstick on the cigarettes there in the ashtray
    Lyin' cold the way you left 'em, but at least your lips caressed them while
    You packed
    Or the lip-print on a half-filled cup of coffee that you poured and didn't drink
    But at least you thought you wanted it, that's so much more than I can say
    For me

    What a good year for the roses
    Many blooms still linger there
    The lawn could stand another mowin'
    Funny I don't even care
    As you turn to walk away
    As the door behind you closes
    The only thing I have to say
    It's been a good year for the roses

    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 talkin', there's so little left to say we
    Haven't said
    While a million thoughts go racin' through my mind, I find I haven't said a word
    From the bedroom the familiar sound of a baby's cryin' goes unheard

    What a good year for the roses
    Many blooms still linger there
    The lawn could stand another mowin'
    Funny I don't even care
    As you turn to walk away
    As the door behind you closes
    The only thing I have to say
    It's been a good year for the roses

    L.... G....

    Thank you for posting this. He's incredible.

  58. O.... G....

    R.I.P. Jerry Chestnut. John McFee(The Doobie Brothers) on pedal steel guitar.

    O.... G....

    Who are the lads?

    O.... G....

    They are girls

  59. D.... k....

    Enough is not spoken of Mr. Mcmanus' country- Western side, for he 5ruly is a past master.

  60. l.... ....

    RIP Jerry Chestnut, who wrote this song.

  61. C.... S....

    2nd ever song I downloaded on the internet via Napster (RIP) It took over an hour but was worth every penny...

  62. h.... b....

    Just found myself singing this to myself while walking to the store on a beautiful day in Houston. After putting away the groceries, I just had to hear it for real. Such a great song and such a great version of the George Jones classic. I had never seen the video before … awesome. How about those backup singers!

  63. D.... H....

    Great country song

  64. p.... 2....

    Perfection.

  65. S.... S....

    Magnificent performance

  66. C.... B....

    So much better than the original and from an excellent musician to boot 😊

  67. t.... t....

    don't forget to wear your sunglasses indoors!

  68. T.... 9....

    Creepy twins aside..Great Song!

  69. C.... P....

    I love this song it certainly brings the memories flooding back

  70. h.... g....

    Them 2 kids are creepy

  71. P.... F....

    wow he looks so young lol wonderful and clever lyrics a true masterpiece I remember when he first 'appeared' and people were talking about the new Elvis it took ages for me to get what that meant haha

  72. D.... ....

    Great song. Kids look like hostages though.

  73. r.... e....

    War on !!!Kill the Eagles tonight !Elvis and TB12 forever from Gronk nation!

  74. N.... ....

    That comment naming the twins is meant to be a joke, @reddirtgirl1. The song's writer, who really ought to have been credited here somewhere, is Jerry Chesnut (not Chestnut, though I suppose that makes the joke a bit funnier). I do know what he means when he says he's got 1,000,000 racing thoughts, but hasn't said a word, eh!

  75. J.... P....

    Saw you in Edinburgh... unbelievable. Get well Sunshine.🙂

  76. R.... A....

    2018 Good year for the Roses ❤️

  77. o.... ....

    Country....so beautiful

  78. J.... L....

    Absolutely love this song. Elvis the King !!!!!

  79. J.... S....

    I feel sorry for the thought. It is a sad song. The giving up.

  80. S.... T....

    Not creepy, the twin girls are lovely and quirky scene stealers. I read they were there to keep an eye on dad’s violin.

    S.... T....

    Who are they?

    S.... T....

    The twins are his nephews 😎😎

  81. G.... R....

    Elvis just keeps making great music, year after year.

  82. M.... D....

    Get well Elvis x

  83. I.... D....

    Get well soon!

  84. T.... B....

    George was the best, but this version is awesome!

  85. N.... C....

    Great song well done ELvis to the people saying the twins are weird you do what they did there was open mikes and to cough would have spoiled the song a credit to them they did well

    N.... C....

    You think this is a live performance?! ;)

  86. N.... C....

    Brilliant song

  87. J.... M....

    Of any song sung with such rich expression and vocal range the melody blends with the lyrics which I Esther guess have a very hidden interpretation in them especially, The Roses.

  88. R.... S....

    great job done by Elvis however George Jones and Alan Jackson put that song on the bed nobody but nobody can outdo them to Alan and George were the best

  89. R.... A....

    2018! is my year.

  90. r.... ....

    zo lang niet gehoord en weer ontroerend mooi!

  91. M.... M....

    Those 2 kids look Weird

  92. S.... E....

    This is my favourite song by Elvis Costello

  93. B.... B....

    Just that once, couldn't he have made the bed or answered the baby crying in the other room.
    I mean...

    B.... B....

    Fair point, but cut him some slack. His domestic chore was looking after those roses.

  94. R.... ....

    Elvis C certainly has a way with words.

  95. O.... F....

    Weezer buddy

  96. B.... ....

    Spookily, Elvis's third wife gave birth to twin sons some 25 years later.

  97. G.... ....

    Oh my G... Pass the tissue box....

  98. P.... C....

    Elvis at the top of the world.shootingstarthrow back