Costello, Elvis - Lesson In Cruelty Lyrics






Here's a thought to dwell upon,
Daddy's girl is almost gone
Now there's just a vain princess
'Her Ruthlessness'
Tearing up the nursery
Stars more used to glittering
Pictured in the guttering
Faces caught about to laugh
Torn in half
Slipping through your fingers
See them scatter
Maybe it doesn't matter
But I still really want to pick pieces up
You can't fool me
With this lesson in cruelty
It's not as if I was asking time to stop
In violent blue
Like roses red
She laughed as she tore off his head
The hours she gazed on her former champion
Now it's just a frame of sellotape and torn wallpaper
As she rips his pretty face to bits

[Chorus]

It's too much too soon or so it seems
To put away these childish dreams
You'll find out soon enough that worship can be tough
Love is just a name to celebrate a vision
Or confetti littered with regrets.
See it scatter...
Dear heart to good to waste
But if some hot-head should claim it
Don't rush to his embrace
And it remains to say...
I'll love you just the same, whatever your decision
As you put the paper to the flame
(It's a lesson in cruelty)





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Costello, Elvis Lesson In Cruelty Comments
  1. u.... ....

    F# in the bass on that D chord. Now it sounds right. Thanks

  2. J.... &....

    The guitar looks like a lollipop and your shirt is licking it.

  3. T.... W....

    Did you slow the tape down to standard tune?

    T.... W....

    I just found a version on YouTube and played along with it. I don't know if it was slowed on that recording, though.

  4. T.... W....

    17 k views far out

  5. A.... R....

    Could that funny E chord be a Esus4? Cause I think that chord your playing is a Cmaj7? kinda?something? C-F-A-B-E 1-4-6-7-3

  6. J.... M....

    Hey, Glad i found the new channel. You're a legend as far as I'm concerned. What happened to pump it up on PT it was fine last night but its unavailable now?

    J.... M....

    Hmm. That's a good question, I don't know.

  7. M.... W....

    James. Nova Scotian here. Where the hell did you get that shirt???

  8. M.... ....

    i must say after millions guys talking WAY TO MUCH TO TEACH ONE SONG.....you win hands down..BRAVO for not filling up a nice lesson with ego....great job

  9. T.... P....

    nigel? is THAT U? MISSED U BRO

  10. s.... ....

    You de-mystified that little solo that has had me confused for years. So easy once I saw you play thru it. THANK YOU!

  11. z.... ....

    Your concise explanation is very helpful. Thanks!

  12. d.... ....

    Thank You !!

  13. S.... M....

    Thank you tripper for keepin on. I needed that

  14. D.... M....

    I knew the chords but not the riff. Thanks for sharing.

  15. s.... ....

    Thanks! I have always got messed with the chording with the EC version

  16. S.... M....

    Ahh, that little "lead" part around 2:20. I knew it could be something simple, but never figured it out. Now I need to get it down and thrown it into our set tomorrow night! :) Thanks, man!

  17. H.... G....

    i think the one chord in the chorus is a G/F bass note which makes sense if you follow the downward bass note pattern

  18. R.... L....

    Great lesson. Glad you broke the Paisley out. I watch every tune. Some I'm not into but I learn from everything. Keep the faith.

  19. w.... d....

    kaboom! all the versions are nice, even the Pretty Reckless one has some merits. I just watched the Schwarz 1974 version- very cool. on the chorus they play a G7 after the D 3rd dom chord. Lowe plays G,D,G,F,E,C, on bass- Bruce Thomas plays G,F#, F,C on the Attractions version. the F chord played in the lesson is more enigmatic. cool option.

    w.... d....

    +woofer devlin I definitely prefer Bruce's bass line, but then again, maybe that's just because it's so familiar at this point.

    w.... d....

    +James James    me too. its so dynamic and propulsive, while poking in some nice melodies. it really works with the thundering tom tom work by pete. brothers?

  20. P.... M....

    Great vid! How is the solo played?

  21. S.... ....

    I'm so happy your still playing! I love love love your music. Play on... 🤘🏼✌🏼️😎

  22. A.... L....

    LOVE THIS SONG EVEN WHEN ITS DOEN SLOW BUT I FORGOT WHO DOES IT [ SLOW] THANKS ANOTHER GREAT ONE

    A.... L....

    Nick Lowe

  23. M.... ....

    Nick Lowe/Brinsley Schwarz cover

  24. R.... P....

    Elvis!!! filled my college days!

  25. j.... ....

    I always thought Springsteen could knock this one out of the park. Especially live...maybe an encore.

    j.... ....

    There's a YouTube video of him doing it. It's a duet, but I can't remember who the other guy is.

    j.... ....

    James James Also this https://youtu.be/szAMOyTe1IY

  26. J.... G....

    Brinsley Schwarz, Nick Lowe, 1974. check out this song by these guys

  27. G.... ....

    it's so cool that you put these vids up for us all to enjoy...been a fan for a long time...Grazie Mille

  28. G.... ....

    Jimmy James urawesome

  29. G.... ....

    wow...awesome

  30. j.... g....

    Nice new Tee!!

  31. C.... D....

    Notes to self: 1. Buy a Jazzmaster and geeky black-rimmed glasses 2. Get my weight down to 145 pounds. 3. Practice along with this video.

    C.... D....

    Jazzmaster is a great guitar indeed. Yet not very versatile

    C.... D....

    +Chasbo Daniels Another great step would be to marry a hot Canadian jazz singer and pianist (Diana Krall). :)

    C.... D....

    +John Glass Whew, thanks pal! I need a good slap upside the head for missing that step.

  32. J.... T....

    Good job, haven't heard that song in years

  33. J.... D....

    Love it! Awesome choice! I saw Elvis and the imposters and Elvis solo opening for Dylan and he was amazing in both scenarios.Only a few months apart too.

  34. m.... ....

    awesome video!