Elvis Costello - Imperial Bedroom Lyrics






Everyone agreed that she looked delightful
Except for her sister, who was hateful and spiteful
Blushing bright red from her head to her feet
But rushing into her bridal suite
The imperial bedroom, the regal boudoir
This casual acquaintance led to an intimate bonsoir

Life turns out like a TV serial
A head full of daydreams, his hands full of material
She says it's not fair, he's messing up her hair
And still he looks so neat
Stepping into the bridal suite

The imperial bedroom, the regal boudoir
This casual acquaintance led to an intimate bonsoir

So the best man will do his best again
Now they're getting dressed again
Blushing bright red from her head to her feet
Sneaking out of the bridal suite

The imperial bedroom, the regal boudoir
This casual acquaintance led to an intimate bonsoir
We know who you're with and where you are
In the imperial bedroom, the regal boudoir
This casual acquaintance led to an intimate bonsoir
Two names under the register
In the imperial bedroom, the regal boudoir
This casual acquaintance led to an intimate bonsoir
Au revoir





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Elvis Costello Imperial Bedroom Comments
  1. c.... ....

    Possibly my favorite Costello song

  2. W.... H....

    Great song!

  3. A.... V....

    Halt and Catch Fire! Instantly as it started blasting on the stereo i had to look it up... thank you whoever put it on the show. (from S03E04)

  4. J.... S....

    Love it

  5. C.... D....

    Wowza ....

  6. �.... ....

    このコステロさん
    This years model のコステロさん

  7. P.... S....

    This was David's first choice for the opening track that plays right after the bar scene in the beginning of Social Network.
    Interesting to think how it could've gone differently.

  8. T.... B....

    this is like a hybrid of Morrison and Springsteen

    T.... B....

    Better than either, at his best....as here.

  9. T.... B....

    amazing songwriting
    what inspired this

  10. T.... B....

    Elvis being casually brilliant as usual, and Pete Thomas playing brilliantly, in almost homage to Stewart Copeland.....This track would be one of my 'Desert Island Discs'

  11. C.... L....

    This song, is skateboarding.

  12. D.... ....

    is this a chopped down version?

  13. r.... r....

    Too bad Elvis Costello is personally such a huge egotistical asshole. I will never pay to hear his music simply because I do not want to have to listen to his punk political views.

    r.... r....

    Jesus loves you

  14. c.... r....

    Absolutely blistering.

  15. S.... V....

    who else is here from Halt Catch & Fire

  16. D.... A....

    Awesome song ever.PURE poetic.

  17. t.... ....

    Elvis Costello is not my favourite singer, but BY GOD, can that man write some fucking lyrics! 11/10 poetry

  18. C.... ....

    History repeats the old conceits
    The glib replies the same defeats
    Keep your finger on important issues
    With crocodile tears and a pocketful of tissues
    I'm just the oily slick
    On the windup world of the nervous tick
    In a very fashionable hovel

    I hang around dying to be tortured
    You'll never be alone in the bone orchard
    This battle with the bottle is nothing so novel

    So in this almost empty gin palace
    Through a two-way looking glass
    You see your Alice

    You know she has no sense
    For all your jealousy
    In a sense she still smiles very sweetly

    Charged with insults and flattery
    Her body moves with malice
    Do you have to be so cruel to be callous

    And now you find you fit this identikit completely
    You say you have no secrets
    And then leave discreetly

    [Chorus:]
    I might make it California's fault
    Be locked in Geneva's deepest vault
    Just like the canals of Mars and the great barrier reef
    I come to you beyond belief

    My hands were clammy and cunning
    She's been suitably stunning
    But I know there's not a hope in Hades
    All the laddies cat call and wolf whistle
    So-called gentlemen and ladies
    Dog fight like rose and thistle

    I've got a feeling
    I'm going to get a lot of grief
    Once this seemed so appealing
    Now I am beyond belief

    [Chorus]

    C.... ....

    Thanks ✌

  19. v.... ....

    wrong image

  20. W.... C....

    Do you have to be so cruel to be callous
    And now you find you fit this identikit completely
    You say you have no secrets
    And then leave discreetly

  21. T.... S....

    Amazing melody and lyrics--one of Elvis's best!

  22. R.... B....

    This and Almost Blue are perfect songs,

  23. T.... V....

    If you love Elvis Costello, You go can be to like my french pop/rock album
    MISTER SUNSHINE by Thierry Volver:
    SPOTIFY:https://open.spotify.com/album/5Z77Usko40RUUNvUvDgDsk?si=zdj3lO5lQY6vdRrxZFn_ng
    DEEZER:https://www.deezer.com/album/77076032?utm_source=deezer&utm_content=album-77076032&utm_term=18492479_1541960316&utm_medium=web
    YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRYeg6c50pY&list=PLtnb7FkUFSp2rU4IoMnMIIJLMZgUEXNWG

  24. N.... N....

    I'd second that!! Brilliant track!!!

  25. M.... ....

    Wow, this sounds a lot like TV on the Radio - or rather, the other way around.

  26. K.... S....

    Quite possibly the greatest song ever written sung played recorded and produced.

  27. r.... ....

    Engineered By Geoff Emerick who did The Beatle's Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's, and Abbey Road.

  28. i.... d....

    David Fincher wanted this in The Social Network

  29. G.... M....

    Wrong picture.

  30. E.... M....

    Produced by the stunning and fabbo Geoff Emerick! Cheers!

    E.... M....

    RIP, Geoff Emerick... :(

  31. M.... ....

    Get well soon EC xxxx

  32. P.... S....

    Such a under appreciated artist, not by myself, always been a fan since 1980.

  33. D.... S....

    Still remember it took exactly 7 seconds to rewind this song on my cassette.

  34. R.... B....

    recover soon Elvis.

  35. g.... m....

    12 thumbs down. Amazing, it's OBVIOUSLY brilliant and stunningly original. not many can carry off being an Elvis but Declan can, easily. A terrific talent, timeless.

  36. g.... m....

    His most brilliant song imo, he's wonderful. Lovely tight band and great melody and lyrics.

  37. J.... C....

    I started with Elvis Costello in 1976 until today 2018, June, I never get bored, I always find something different, a lick😎 a cored, something to say, hey you missed that!! I never get I with Elvis Costello!!

  38. J.... C....

    Every Song on this Album is excellent

  39. J.... &....

    This is THE BEST ALBUM

  40. l.... ....

    This, for me, was Costello's masterpiece. Stunning album. Closely followed by Arned Forces, Get Happy, Trust and Punch the Clock. However, he produced some outstanding songs thereafter, ie Poor Fractured Atlas, Couldn't Call it Unexpected and a whole raft more!

  41. C.... B....

    Just perfect...

    History repeats the old conceits
    The glib replies the same defeats
    Keep your finger on important issues
    With crocodile tears and a pocketful of tissues
    I'm just the oily slick
    On the windup world of the nervous tick
    In a very fashionable hovel
    I hang around dying to be tortured
    You'll never be alone in the bone orchard
    This battle with the bottle is nothing so novel
    So in this almost empty gin palace
    Through a two-way looking glass
    You see your Alice
    You know she has no sense
    For all your jealousy
    In a sense she still smiles very sweetly
    Charged with insults and flattery
    Her body moves with malice
    Do you have to be so cruel to be callous
    And now you find you fit this identikit completely
    You say you have no secrets
    And then leave discreetly
    I might make it California's fault
    Be locked in Geneva's deepest vault
    Just like the canals of Mars and the Great Barrier Reef
    I come to you beyond belief
    My hands were clammy and cunning
    She's been suitably stunning
    But I know there's not a hope in Hades
    All the laddies cat call and wolf whistle
    So called gentlemen and ladies
    Dog fight like rose and thistle
    I got a feeling
    I'm going to get a lot of grief
    Once this seemed so appealing
    Now I am beyond belief

    C.... B....

    Christopher Brougham brilliant x

    C.... B....

    Fucking genius

  42. r.... ....

    EC has written an unbelievable number of great songs...this is the one that I return to most often.

  43. R.... T....

    Simply amazing.

  44. J.... P....

    Great lyric setting. Great everything really. It's true, Elvis is the King.

  45. T.... B....

    He had to be a genius. That word is overused, but in his case, it's justified. From 1977 to the mid 80s, he hardly put a foot wrong.
    This track sounds like nothing else on Earth.

  46. j.... v....

    This and High Fidelity are two that (as has been said before in the comments) that I LOVE and are way too short....and yet perfect at the same time.

  47. L.... B....

    So so good. The Best of Costello

  48. P.... A....

    Sooooooooo good!

  49. M.... T....

    Beyond EXHILARATING!

  50. T.... R....

    This song is great to me, and I'm 13.

  51. S.... B....

    two and a half minutes of pure bliss!!

  52. G.... ....

    Not one line in this song has the same melody. Seriously underrated song.

    G.... ....

    For me, this song is so brilliant and too short that it makes it bittersweet in reception, a beautiful pearl.

    G.... ....

    GeoguessrWizard that's not entirely true. There is structure and repetition in the verse melody, melancholic and wobbling as it is.

    Nonetheless your point is very well taken. Structurally a super unique and grim song, masculine yet totally resigned and deflated, and an air of doom hanging over it from start to finish. It's really one of greatest two and a half minutes mankind has ever produced.

    I remember my brother forced this on me when I was a teenager in the eighties, and I was blown completely to pieces by it.

    G.... ....

    Costello was always brief and to the point.

    G.... ....

    IMO it's one of the best songs ever written.

    G.... ....

    Um, not so true: “I Want You.”

  53. T.... P....

    Imperial bedroom is the best breakup album ever

  54. T.... A....

    Through a two-way looking glass you see you're Alice.

  55. J.... K....

    https://genius.com/11484162 Fun analysis of his lyrics.
    History repeats the old conceits
    The glib replies the same defeats
    Keep your finger on important issues
    With crocodile tears and a pocketful of tissues
    I'm just the oily slick
    On the windup world of the nervous tick
    In a very fashionable hovel
    I hang around dying to be tortured
    You'll never be alone in the bone orchard
    This battle with the bottle is nothing so novel
    So in this almost empty gin palace
    Through a two-way looking glass
    You see your Alice
    You know she has no sense
    For all your jealousy
    In a sense she still smiles very sweetly
    Charged with insults and flattery
    Her body moves with malice
    Do you have to be so cruel to be callous
    And now you find you fit this identikit completely
    You say you have no secrets
    And then leave discreetly

    [Chorus]
    I might make it California's fault
    Be locked in Geneva's deepest vault
    Just like the canals of Mars and the great barrier reef
    I come to you beyond belief


    My hands were clammy and cunning
    She's been suitably stunning
    But I know there's not a hope in Hades
    All the laddies cat call and wolf whistle
    So called gentlemen and ladies
    Dog fight like rose and thistle

    I got a feeling
    I'm going to get a lot of grief
    Once this seemed so appealing
    Now I am beyond belief

    I got a feeling
    I'm going to get a lot of grief
    Once this seemed so appealing
    Now I am beyond belief

    I got a feeling
    I'm going to get a lot of grief
    Once this seemed so appealing
    Now I am beyond belief

  56. j.... ....

    Too short, I always have to listen to this twice.

  57. R.... L....

    I head this song today for the first time. Jeez.

  58. J.... ....

    Elvis owes his career to this rhythm section.

    J.... ....

    ... and
    his ability to write outstanding, complex and beautiful songs, lyrics and arrangements (not to mention his own lead guitar skills, and the skill of his world class keyboardist), and his unique ability to recognize the skill of (and bring together) that amazing band, as well as lead them in the studio and in live shows, whereby they create some of the best popular music in history.
    All props to his rhythm section, but let's not sell the guy short.

    J.... ....

    No. His voice.

  59. J.... B....

    simply too good....

  60. A.... J....

    What a great example of Costello wit and imagery in this song. Here's some additional standout lines beyond those quoted previously : "This battle with the bottle is nothing so novel" "Charged with insults and flattery...." "My hands were clammy and cunning/she's been suitably stunning" In this last year of his jam-packed initial six years of recording (1976-1982), he could still seemingly throw away lines that others would kill for.

  61. j.... k....

    dig the drums man dig the drums

    j.... k....

    And the keyboards. Oh and the voice, the drums, it's perfect.

    j.... k....

    I read, in Costello's memoir, Disappearing Ink, that drummer Pete Thomas, who was known for his drinking benders, showed up a few sheets to the wind to record this, and EC was NOT pleased; really turned the screws on the band to lay this one down *right*, and quickly, too. Wow. I'd say they succeeded on all counts. This one is surely on the short list for Best Elvis Costello songs of all time.

  62. K.... G....

    This is my favorite Costello song.

  63. T.... M....

    Two and a half minute opera!

  64. I.... ....

    My hands are always clammy and gummy

    I.... ....

    My hands were clammy and cunning. She’s been suitably stunning. But I know there’s not a hope in Hades.

  65. C.... D....

    never heard this album, but I love this cut... get happy is one of my favs

  66. R.... C....

    I'm here because I bought the vinyl in 1982.

  67. O.... S....

    i still can't grok what's going on in this song but i know it's incredible.

  68. C.... ....

    This is the best Elvis Costello song.

    C.... ....

    CthulhuWaitsDreaming agreed

    C.... ....

    It is, it's a classic in every way. Even better than 'Chelsea' and 'Shipbuilding', which is saying something.

    C.... ....

    Can't get any better than Shipbuilding as a Ballad,but this may be his most unique classic-along with Lipstick Vogue.

    C.... ....

    905if6was9 Actually, IMO his best work was usually overlooked while his more marginal tracks proved the most popular. So weird.

    C.... ....

    @Sea Bee Blue -Not much difference between an average Elvis song and a classic Elvis song 77-82.

  69. K.... B....

    This man has no talent whatsoever.Another profession for him would be good.

    K.... B....

    Even if you don't like his music, which seems like a fair assumption, you can't deny he has SOME talent.

    K.... B....

    Ok if he has some talent,he doesnt use it much.........

    K.... B....

    Petra has a much better version of this song Beyond Belief.Try it.

    K.... B....

    elvis must have slept with your wife

  70. W.... G....

    One of his finest moments, but his finest moments were legion. A hits album would have to be a massive box set.

    W.... G....

    Ha! He would practically need to move in, who knows what he would be working on next week, or last month?

  71. b.... q....

    IMO his voice has mellowed a bit. Not saying that i I don't like it becaues I think it is awesome!

  72. C.... F....

    Thanks Cam

  73. H.... W....

    It's amazing how many incredible lyrics are crammed into 2:30.

    H.... W....

    its pure genius. Elvis Costello is the most loquacious of all singers ever....

    H.... W....

    Indeed!

  74. Z.... ....

    I'm here because of Cam

    Z.... ....

    seems like she came back with something more precious

    Z.... ....

    btw may I know your friend? haha

    Z.... ....

    Cam is the best

  75. M.... i....

    Thanks to Halt and Catch Fire S3 Ep4 for this piece.

    M.... i....

    I love that show. Reminds me of songs I haven't heard in a long time.

    M.... i....

    Must be a good show. This song is pure genius.

  76. e.... t....

    please change the pic!

  77. 9.... ....

    Genius lyricist...

    9.... ....

    And melody!!!!

  78. C.... ....

    love this song - have seen him 24 times starting in the late '70s so far - he is great!

  79. P.... ....

    great song and album… 1982 was truly one of the greatest years for music,
    so many cool bands/ releases in '79-'82.
    what happened thereafter is a boggling mystery, and a pity.
    i resent mtv for never playing or searching for the artistic depth of early 80s.
    they had the power then, and they were too $hallow to see.
    Them and many others in power at that time to raise the mass-awareness.
    some made great effort and met up with a wall of apathy

    P.... ....

    +Preliminimal - Couldn't agree more with your thoughts on MTV. In their early fledgling incarnation, the station, more than the repository for the vapid, vacuous content it is now, offered complimentary visuals to great music. Gone! To follow up: I'm a big fan of Queen. Now, I know they don't exactly relate to the more niche-like artists such as Costello, but they early on realised how the music video industry was destroying the soul of the great grooves that used to flow beautifully from independent radio stations. Give their song, Radio Ga Ga, a listen. Of course you'll probably have to listen to it on Youtube and thus watch the accompanying video. But if you do, I think you'll get what I'm trying to get at.

    P.... ....

    + yes, so many bands were actively great in 1979- 82 with creative imagination and many media productions: Chrome, Tuxedomoon, A Certain Ratio, David Bowie, Brian Eno, David Byrne, Japan/ David Sylvian, Buzzcocks, The Jam, The Specials, Elvis Costello, English Beat, B52s, Devo, Public Image Limited, Throbbing Gristle/ Psychic Tv/ Chris and Cosey, New Order/ Joy Division, Gang Of Four, Cabaret Voltaire, the Clash, Killing Joke, Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Nina Hagen, Cure, Shriekback, XTC, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Wire/ Dome, Gary Numan, Siouxsie, Black Flag, Jon Hassell, The Cramps, Sun Ra, DAF, James Blood Ulmer, Residents, Snakefinger, Capt Beefheart, Oil Tasters, Phillip Glass, Cluster, Hans Joachim Roedelius, Bauhaus, Eyeless in Gaza, Fripp, many others

    P.... ....

    +Preliminimal - Great year for sure, and agree with comments on mtv but in a more genaral sense (beyond context of early 80s). However I respectfully disagree with the comment "what happened thereafter is a boggling mystery, and a pity" : The Smiths, Jesus and Mary Chain, Cocteau Twins, Durutti Column definitely grabbed the baton, and across the Atlantic, well Husker Du, The Replacements, Yo La Tengo, Guided by Voices, some band called R.E.M. I could continue...

    P.... ....

    +The Snickering - Durutti Column were great, yes.. and Smiths were great, Hatful of Hollow and their other albums, Cocteau Twins were great, except i can oly take them in small amounts. Jesus-Mary Chain felt lazy and unimaginative, yet they were cool… Husker Du bored me, Replacements were boring, REM bored me. Guided by Voices are interesting, i like what they've done. i haven't heard Yo la Tengo. During the 90s i liked Stereolab and kept searching for obscure things, mostly from europe and old things from 60s and 70s that i hadn't heard of became very interesting.. many experimental and atmospheric things going on then, continuing into 2000s, independent things. however the surface airwaves for the masses remained hideously empty, no platforms, less and less close-knit 'scene'. The problem is still there. The networks lack imaginative producers, characters with good taste. the new 'pop' is insanely bad

  80. R.... G....

    that must be the greatest song of all time

  81. M.... F....

    So good

  82. R.... D....

    Amen to the life of the intellectual alcoholic.

    R.... D....

    Your comment made me curious as to your libation inspired listenings. They check out, good man.

  83. c.... ....

    this track is beyond belief.

    c.... ....

    heck ya it is!

  84. R.... S....

    Yet another great costello /attractions song

  85. w.... ....

    Thank you for this, Lukas!  This reminds me of the very first time I saw Elvis Costello, at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA--it would have been 1994.  I was sitting way up on the lawn, but the sound was great, and it was this fabulously foggy Bay Area evening which lent a mystical air to things.

    By the time he played "Beyond Belief", I had been standing and singing along with a kind of frantic intensity; I was so transported.  I was already a huge Elvis fan, but I had no idea what an emotional hurricane I was in for whilst seeing him play my favorite songs live.  So when this song started, tears started rolling down my face--I still remember hearing the opening chords and having something within me break free.  I try to see Elvis every year now, but I'll always remember that first show.  Pure magic.

  86. a.... ....

    Dogfight like rose and thistle...

    Technically, his best song. I adore this man.

    a.... ....

    And beautifully sung and played. perfect pop song, superlative.

    a.... ....

    allidock11 shipsbuilding is awesome !

    a.... ....

    Watch your step is another great tune.

    a.... ....

    Couldn't agree more!

    a.... ....

    man about time imo

  87. L.... S....

    Just the greatest lyrics.

  88. s.... ....

    I
    Love this song and album 1983 I was so young!

  89. G.... H....

    Forgot this gem!!!!

  90. O.... P....

    ..."do you have to be so cruel to be callous"..Happy Birthday Elvis!