The Fall Of The World's Own Optimist Lyrics
and that surprises me
I guess I thought you were a golden idol
cause I called you majesty
on the balustrade
you watched me hunt for tips I was obliged to pick up
from the passing trade
it's the fall of the world's own optimist
I could get back up if you insist
but you'll have to ask politely
cause the eggshells I've been treading
couldn't spare me a beheading
and I'll know I had it coming
from a Caesar who was only slumming
Hey, kids--look at this
it's the fall of the world's own optimist
which you could override
but what's the point--we're only flogging the horse
when the horseman has up and died
once I testified
and swore I'd never leave a stone unturned--
I bet you're really glad that I lied
it's the fall of the world's own optimist
I could get back up if you insist
but you'll have to ask politely
cause the eggshells I've been treading
couldn't spare me a beheading
and I'll know I had it coming
from a Caesar who was only slumming
Hey, kids--look at this
it's the fall of the world's own optimist
it's the fall of the world's own optimist
I could get back up if you insist
but you'll have to ask politely
yes, you'll have to ask politely
yes, you'll have to ask
I really like the lyrics and the picture which they build up of someone who is idolised but turns out to be worthless because they lack "charity" in the old fashioned sense of "love"
I think it's more about Aimee writing songs with Elvis Costello
I think you're both right. I've always thought this song was about meeting and working with Elvis Costello--I mean, the song could be applied to any situation where, as user1951 put it, you idolized someone only to realize they didn't really deserve it for one reason or another. I think the basic plot of the song is that the narrator got to be around/work with someone she really admired, only to be cast aside (the eggshells I've been treading couldn't spare me a beheading...from a Caesar who was only slumming) for being beneath him or for not idolizing him enough...something like that. But plot aside, I think it's just about disappointment in someone you used to admire.