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Everyday I Write The Book Lyrics
Don't tell me you don't know what love is
When you're old enough to know better
When you find strange hands in your sweater
When your dreamboat turns out to be a footnote
I'm a man with a mission in two or three editions
And I'm giving you a longing look
Everyday,
Everyday,
Everyday I write the book
Chapter One, we didn't really get along
Chapter Two, I think I fell in love with you
You said you'd stand by me in the middle of Chapter Three
But you were up to your old tricks in Chapters Four, Five and Six
And I'm giving you a longing look
Everyday,
Everyday,
Everyday I write the book
The way you walk
The way you talk, and try to kiss me, and laugh
In four or five paragraphs
All your compliments and your cutting remarks
Are captured here in my quotation marks
And I'm giving you a longing look
Everyday,
Everyday,
Everyday I write the book
Don't tell me you don't know the difference
Between a lover and a fighter
With my pen and my electric typewriter
Even in a perfect world where everyone was equal
I'd still own the film rights and be working on the sequel
And I'm giving you a longing look
Everyday,
Everyday,
Everyday I write the book
Everyday,
Everyday,
Everyday I write the book
When you're old enough to know better
When you find strange hands in your sweater
When your dreamboat turns out to be a footnote
I'm a man with a mission in two or three editions
Everyday,
Everyday,
Everyday I write the book
Chapter Two, I think I fell in love with you
You said you'd stand by me in the middle of Chapter Three
But you were up to your old tricks in Chapters Four, Five and Six
Everyday,
Everyday,
Everyday I write the book
The way you talk, and try to kiss me, and laugh
In four or five paragraphs
All your compliments and your cutting remarks
Are captured here in my quotation marks
Everyday,
Everyday,
Everyday I write the book
Between a lover and a fighter
With my pen and my electric typewriter
Even in a perfect world where everyone was equal
I'd still own the film rights and be working on the sequel
Everyday,
Everyday,
Everyday I write the book
Everyday,
Everyday,
Everyday I write the book
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This is what Elvis had to say about the song:
"Every Day I Write The Book" is kind of a hack pop song. It doesn't have any feeling behind it. It's just an exercise in writing that sort of bad Smokey Robinson song with all the tricks of the trade...To balance [the album], we had a thing like "Everyday I Write The Book," that anybody could whistle, and that was written in 10 minutes, as a spoof. Originally I tried to do it as a lovers' rock song, and then we grafted on this kind of modern rhythmic treatment. It always begged to be done in some kind of pop style."
What's with all the elitism? This song is a superior love song... deal with it. Love is the well-spring of many a great song. If you want deep, read Kant. So EC wrote this in ten minute, speed and ease of creation does not diminish the work. Crap is crap whether it was written in 10 minutes or 10 years. This is legitimate and very kewl song writing.
This song is genius in its treatment of a guy that is in love for the long haul. In a time when people are ready to give up on true love, here's a guy who is merely saying that his love does not have the impermanence of a newpaper article (meant to be read and thrown out the next day). His love for her is written in volumes, multiple editions, and destined for movie sequels.
In a time when people are so quick to disgard what is good and beautiful for the most trivial of reasons - this sort of sentiment of a undying devotion is sweet... and while it may be idealistic, in some ways it's like a kiss... "A kiss may not be the truth, but it's what we wish were true." (L.A. Story)
I got the tongue-in-cheek element right away, but parody is a fine line to tread and you run the risk of either being too heavy-handed or having your point lost. Mr. C. downplays his talent. There are thousands of people in the world who would give almost anything to be able to create this kind of tune, let alone be able to sucessfully parody the form. Sure it's pop music without his usual bite and insight. It's just that artistic snobbery keeps him from being justifiably proud of a well crafted pop tune. Even one that lets you in on the joke whlie still being able to stand on its musical value alone.
Elvis Costello did mention he wrote this song on a lark in about 10 minutes, but it's still such a great song. Probably better than he really thought.
To me this song really isn't about specifics of the relationship (like who is dogging who). This song is about the ins and outs and ups and downs of any relationship. They;re going through it together and no matter what, he still wants her, still love her, etc. The book is their life together.
I agree, and I love how the song is dated by mention of the electric typewriter. Just goes to show relationships never change even though technology does.
I agree, and I love how the song is dated by mention of the electric typewriter. Just goes to show relationships never change even though technology does.
This is one of my favourite songs of his. The lyrics are just fantastic and unique. I love the bit about owning the films rights and working on the sequal :]
This is a cracking song....'even in a perfect world where everyone was equal I'd still own the film rights and be working on the sequel.'
One of my favourite Costello lyrics.
EC is said to disdain the song. He is a bit like John Lennon in that he could write a fantastic pop tune so well that he forgot it was a rare talent and only felt invested in songs that "meant" something.
How come no one has any comments on any Elvis Costello songs? He's one of the greatest singer/songwriters ever
I think he's not as easily accessible as many artists because he covers so much territory in his writing. He's not really "popular" anymore, and for people who are getting into non-mainstream rock or pop, he's probably not going to be a direct correlation to anything they like. i.e. kids getting into emo or punk or indie rock - if they trace it back enough, they might get into his earlier stuff and eventually like his overall catalogue like many people do, but it's not very likely. If the internet and this site had existed in the late 70s and...
I think he's not as easily accessible as many artists because he covers so much territory in his writing. He's not really "popular" anymore, and for people who are getting into non-mainstream rock or pop, he's probably not going to be a direct correlation to anything they like. i.e. kids getting into emo or punk or indie rock - if they trace it back enough, they might get into his earlier stuff and eventually like his overall catalogue like many people do, but it's not very likely. If the internet and this site had existed in the late 70s and early 80s, I'm sure he'd've had many comments as he was quite popular then.
I'm with you DC...hence, the comment =) This is one of my favorites by him though. His lyrics are sharp, well thought out and witty. His music is always a refreshing step away from the trendy norm of the pop/rock/rap that is so prevelant on the airwaves these days...but then again, "You had better do as you are told. You better listen to the radio." hee hee =)
i recently saw EC in boston, and it was by far the greatest night of my life, Elvis Costello is a lyrical and musical GOD