THE COMEDIANS

Original Elvis Costello & The Attractions version

I fell under such gentle persuasion
You can't refuse it's like a home from home
Meanwhile in the motorcar kingdom
They're finding all that glitters is not chrome
The social circle have these cardiac complaints
Their hearts are empty when their hands are full
All these new found fond acquaintances
Turn out to be the red rag to my bull

And I'm up while the dawn is breaking
Even though my heart is aching
I should be drinking a toast to absent friends instead of these comedians

I've looked into those eyes upon reflection
They've seen the face of love, they've seen a few
What kind of love is this upon inspection
You'll be the last to know who's fooling who

And I'm up while the dawn is breaking
Even though my heart is aching
I should be drinking a toast to absent friends instead of these comedians
And I'm up while the dawn is breaking
Even though my heart is aching
I should be drinking a toast to absent friends instead of these comedians

Info

THE COMEDIANS is a song written by Elvis Costello and originally released on Elvis Costello & The Attractions' 1984 album Goodbye Cruel World. The above lyrics are for the original Elvis Costello & The Attractions version of THE COMEDIANS as released in 1984.

Elvis Costello & The Attractions -- Goodbye Cruel World

LP - F-Beat (ZL 70317) - UK, 1984
LP - Columbia (FC 39429) - USA, 1984

Bruce Springsteen's Versions

Bruce Springsteen performed THE COMEDIANS live once, with Roy Orbison and Elvis Costello. See the live 30 Sep 1987 version for more details.

Available Versions

List of available versions of THE COMEDIANS on this website:

Page last updated: 01 Sep 2015