Who Do You Think You Are
Brodsky Quartet & Elvis Costello Lyrics
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The empty laugh that you cultivate
You fall into that false embrace
And kiss the air about her face
Who do you think you are?
The tres bon mots you almost quote from your
Quiver of literary darts
Little heart
Who do you think you are?
My cigarette burns right down to the ash, my coffee
Cup is unstained
The waiter hovers close at hand
His courtesy strained
Who do you think you are?
I close with my regards
Well I`m the red-face gentleman
Caught in this picture postcard
Who do you think you are?
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
But even at this distance it`s not easy to accept
The vision that I chase returns when I least expect it
I've fallen from your tired embrace
I kiss the air around the place that should be your face.
The lyrics of "Who Do You Think You Are?" by Brodsky Quartet and Elvis Costello capture a sense of disillusionment and self-reflection. The song speaks to the facade that individuals often wear, seeking validation and connection through false pretenses and empty gestures.
The opening lines describe a person who carries a haunted look and a hunted demeanor. It suggests that this person is perhaps searching for something or someone, but their pursuit is futile and superficial. The empty laugh they cultivate and the false embrace they engage in convey a sense of loneliness and desperation, highlighting their need for validation.
The lyrics then address the person's attempts at intellectualism and sophistication, represented by the "tres bon mots" they try to quote and their quiver of literary darts. However, these attempts are described as tuneless violins, devoid of substance or genuine emotion. It implies that their intellectual pursuits are shallow and not rooted in true understanding or appreciation.
The following verses introduce a sense of detachment and resignation. The persona describes a scene where their cigarette burns down and their coffee cup remains unstained, indicating a lack of engagement with their surroundings. The waiter's strained courtesy reflects the disconnect between the persona and the world around them.
The repetition of the question "Who do you think you are?" throughout the song is a poignant reminder of the persona's introspection and self-doubt. It challenges them to question their own identity and the authenticity of their actions. In the final verse, the persona expresses their struggle to move on from the person or situation they are addressing. The reference to a tired joke and trampled sea-shell hearts suggests the repetitive and unfulfilling nature of the relationship.
Despite trying to distance themselves from this individual, the persona acknowledges the difficulty in accepting their absence. The vision of the person they long for returns unexpectedly, highlighting their ongoing emotional attachment. Falling from the tired embrace and kissing the air around the absent person's face serve as metaphors for the longing and emptiness experienced in their absence.
Overall, "Who Do You Think You Are?" delves into themes of superficiality, disillusionment, and the relentless pursuit of validation. It portrays the struggle to find genuine connection in a world where people often hide behind facades and engage in hollow interactions.
Line by Line Meaning
The hunted look, the haunted grace
You have a fearful and melancholic expression, a sense of eeriness and sorrow in your demeanor
The empty laugh that you cultivate
You force a hollow and insincere laughter, pretending to find amusement in something
You fall into that false embrace
You surrender to a deceptive act of affection or intimacy
And kiss the air about her face
You try to kiss the imaginary presence of someone's face, lacking their actual presence
Who do you think you are?
I'm questioning your true identity or the façade you present to the world
The tres bon mots you almost quote from your Quiver of literary darts
You attempt to use clever and witty phrases, almost quoting them from your collection of sharp and piercing literary expressions
A thousand or so tuneless violins thrilling your cheap Little heart
Numerous violins without melody excite your insignificant and shallow emotions
Who do you think you are?
Once again, I'm questioning your true identity or the façade you present to the world
My cigarette Burns right down to the ash, my coffee Cup is unstained
As I smoke my cigarette, it burns until it turns to ashes, and my coffee cup remains untouched, unaffected by the situation
The waiter hovers close at hand, His courtesy strained
The waiter lingers nearby, but his politeness and friendliness appear forced and strained
Who do you think you are?
Once again, I'm questioning your true identity or the façade you present to the world
I close with my regards
I end this conversation or message with my best wishes and regards
Well I'm the red-face gentleman
I am the embarrassed and ashamed man
Caught in this picture postcard
Trapped in this idealized representation or moment frozen in time
Who do you think you are?
Once again, I'm questioning your true identity or the façade you present to the world
Trying my best to make the best of your absence
I am making an effort to cope and find positivity in your absence
Though the joke gets tired and sordid
Even though the joke becomes repetitive and unpleasant
Sea-shell hearts get trampled under foot
Fragile and delicate hearts are crushed and disregarded
Punchlines unrewarded
The humorous or clever endings to jokes go unappreciated or unacknowledged
But even at this distance it's not easy to accept
Even from afar, it is still difficult to come to terms with
The vision that I chase returns when I least expect it
The image or memory that I pursue comes back to me unexpectedly
I've fallen from your tired embrace
I have moved away from your exhausted and weary act of holding or embracing
I kiss the air around the place that should be your face
I press my lips against the empty space where your face should be, longing for your presence
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO, MICHAEL HENRY THOMAS, MARINA DEL MAR THOMAS-PEDRAZA, IAN DEREK BELTON, PAUL MARTIN CASSIDY, JACQUELINE LUCY KATHERINE THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind