Who Do You Think You Are
Brodsky Quartet/Elvis Costello Lyrics

The hunted look, the haunted grace
You have a look of someone who is afraid and lost, with an air of sadness about you that suggests you are plagued by something deeper than what's on the surface.

The empty laugh that you cultivate
You often fake your laughter, empty and lacking in true emotion, as if you are trying to hide something inside.

You fall into that false embrace
You are drawn to relationships that are superficial and insincere, seeking comfort in false connections rather than true ones.

And kiss the air about her face
You are so desperate for affection and connection that you will even kiss the air in the absence of a real person to comfort you.

The tres bon mots you almost quote from your Quiver of literary darts
You try to impress people with fancy French phrases, thinking they will help you appear more sophisticated and intelligent, but you don't really understand their meanings.

A thousand or so tuneless violins thrilling your cheap Little heart
You are easily moved and touched by things that are shallow and meaningless, like a poorly-played symphony that still manages to tug at your emotions.

My cigarette Burns right down to the ash, my coffee Cup is unstained
As you struggle to maintain your composure in the face of disappointment and uncertainty, you cling to mundane objects like this burnt-out cigarette and unstained coffee cup as if they were anchors of stability and comfort.

The waiter hovers close at hand, His courtesy strained
Even the people around you can sense your unease and anxiety, as the waiter tries to cater to your needs but can't seem to hide the hint of impatience and annoyance in his demeanor.

I close with my regards, Well I'm the red-face gentleman Caught in this picture postcard
As you say your final goodbyes and exit the scene, you feel out of place and disconnected, like a stranger trapped in a photograph that doesn't quite fit your reality.

Trying my best to make the best of your absence Though the joke gets tired and sordid Sea-shell hearts get trampled under foot Punchlines unrewarded
You try to move on and find meaning in life even in the absence of the people and circumstances you long for, but your efforts feel hollow and pointless, like a joke that falls flat and leaves you feeling empty.

But even at this distance it's not easy to accept The vision that I chase returns when I least expect it
Despite your attempts to move on, you are haunted by memories and visions of the past, unable to fully embrace the present or let go of what has already been lost.

I've fallen from your tired embrace I kiss the air around the place that should be your face
You finally admit that the relationships and connections you have been seeking have been shallow and false all along, and you are left alone to kiss an empty space, longing for something more meaningful and real.