Elvis Costello - The Only Flame in Town

I've long admired the wordplay of Elvis Costello. While Everyday I Write the Book may be his most literary song, I think The Only Flame in Town is his most literate. I get shivers with lyrics like:

But you blew hot and cold
Turned my heart to a cinder
And with each passing day
You're less tender and more tinder...

Brilliant.

The video is classic 80s cheesefest (complete with Darryl Hall on backing vocals!), but what can I say--despite it coming from the infamous Good-bye Cruel World album, this is my favorite Elvis song.



The Only Flame in Town

I know a girl
got my mind in a mess
I never heard her say
goodnight and God bless
She's not the only flame in town

And when we're alone
we never quarrel
I'm miles away
now here's the moral
She's not the only flame in town

She's not the only flame in town
She's got to stop thinking
that I'm carrying this torch around

He struck a match and it lit up her face
We should have struck a match, girl
To burn down the whole place
Now you're not the only flame in town

But you blew hot and cold
Turned my heart to a cinder
And with each passing day
You're less tender and more tinder
Now you're not the only flame in town

She's not the only flame in town
She's got to stop thinking
that I'm carrying this torch around

Thought I saw your face in the fire
But it's so hard to remember
Even an inferno can cool down to an ember
Now you're not the only flame

You're not the only flame
You're not the only flame in town