Strange things seem to occur, somewhere behind the nursery door
Though I was just a bit of a kid, it was the bit that she was looking for
Now I don`t know where to begin confessing
The way she`s making me feel it can`t be a sin

I was taught to believe you were looking down on everyone
And your benevolent face is beautiful to gaze upon
Now I just don`t know who to tell to go to hell
Who put the old devil in the distorted angel?

Distorted angel
Pure illuminated sweetness
Frightening small children is just about your only weakness
I thought that you would tell me what I`m living for
But I can`t see you anymore

I don`t know what we did but I`m sorry if it made you cry
And if there`s any justice at all I`d be punished for it I`d surmise
It will mark the spot very well where I fell
Under the shadow of the distorted angel
Beneath the shadow of the distorted angel
Below the shadow of the distorted angel
Angel
Beneath the shadow of the distorted angel
Below the shadow of the distorted angel
Angel


Lyrics submitted by Mopnugget

Distorted Angel Lyrics as written by Declan Macmanus

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

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Distorted Angel song meanings
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2 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    This is one of those songs that is sort of ruined by the production on the record. But to hear Elvis sing it live, it's truly one of the most stunning things I've ever heard.

    Listen to the version on the Costello & Nieve Box, it will absolutely destroy you. Haunting, sweet, creepy, with a beauty added by Costello's brilliant voice, the song aches with a pain and love that leave you breathless.

    Unfortunately those cheesy keyboards turn the studio version on All This Useless Beauty into a bit of a mess. Pray that some day you get to see Elvis perform it live; when he backs away from the microphone during the unforgettable coda, it will send chills down your spine.

    goodvibe61on December 08, 2013   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    Interesting song. When you look at the lyric sheet there's a photo of a Barbie doll, which suggests that's what the "distorted angel" is. But if you listen to it with no photo it sounds like it's about child molestation; a lot scarier than maybe what it's intended to be about.

    thrillracerESQon April 05, 2018   Link

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