My Mood Swings
Brodsky Quartet And Friends Lyrics


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She was smitten from the first
By a curious fellow
She said I love the way you talk
And with a flounce she then announces
I love the way that you pronounce it: "Marshmallow"

So she liked to sing along
To her favourite song
From the year that she was born
She had mysterious affairs
Until she woke up in the '80's

So speak to me
Just like you should
And then you can say those wicked things
And if you want
We'll make it good
Before my mood swings

Well he looked like one of those
Who would take off his clothes
Like he would peel a tangerine
No-one's been known to decline this
Until I've found out what your sign is

So speak to me
Just like you should
And then you can say those wicked things
And if you want
We'll make it good
Before my mood swings

So speak to me
Just like you should
And then you can say those wicked things
And if you want




We'll make it good
Before my mood swings

Overall Meaning

The song "My Mood Swings" by the Brodsky Quartet is about attraction, love, and the vulnerability of our emotions. The lyrics depict a woman who is drawn to a strange and intriguing man from the first meeting, captivated by the way he speaks and his unique accent. The song mentions her singing along to her favorite song from the year she was born but then waking up in the 80's after having many mysterious affairs. This could be interpreted to mean that she lost track of time due to her involvement in different relationships until the 80's when she realized the impact of her behavior.


The second part of the song talks about the man and his intriguing appearance, including a reference to his nakedness being irresistible to others until the singer discovers his zodiac sign. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the importance of communication to avoid mood swings, which could refer to either party being overwhelmed by emotions and not knowing how to handle them, leading to regrettable actions.


Overall, it seems like the song is urging the two individuals to open up and communicate their feelings and desires clearly to avoid misunderstandings or emotional volatility. The themes of attraction and vulnerability are the primary focus of the lyrics, highlighting the importance of understanding both your own emotions and those of others to create a successful and healthy relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

She was smitten from the first
She immediately fell in love with this interesting person upon meeting them


By a curious fellow
This person piqued her curiosity and interest


She said I love the way you talk
She found his manner of speaking charming and appealing


And with a flounce she then announces
She said something with an excited, playful gesture


I love the way that you pronounce it: 'Marshmallow'
She particularly enjoyed the way he pronounced a certain word


So she liked to sing along
She enjoyed singing along to her favorite songs


To her favourite song
Her preferred song to sing along to


From the year that she was born
The song was from the same year in which she was born


She had mysterious affairs
She was involved in secretive romantic relationships


Until she woke up in the '80's
At some point in the past, she became aware of the passage of time and realized that she was now living in the 1980s


Well he looked like one of those
He appeared to be the type of person who


Who would take off his clothes
Who would likely strip naked


Like he would peel a tangerine
A metaphorical way of describing the quick, effortless way in which he might undress


No-one's been known to decline this
No one had ever been known to refuse his advances


Until I've found out what your sign is
She won't reject him until she knows what astrological sign he was born under


So speak to me
Talk to me


Just like you should
In the way that you are supposed to


And then you can say those wicked things
You'll be free to express yourself in more daring or provocative ways


And if you want
If you feel so inclined


We'll make it good
We'll make things enjoyable or pleasurable


Before my mood swings
Before my emotional state changes suddenly and drastically




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CAIT O'RIORDAN, ELVIS COSTELLO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@tdadler

Costello is not a singer or a musician. He is just like the puppy dog sucking up to musicians and artists.

His wife Dianna K is a great musician and singer.

Costello can’t sing on pitch even when he uses pitch correction software and the best Microphones and best amplifiers.

It is a shame that some young talented people get un-noticed and some no talent individuals like Costello scratch their way and fooling the naive.

I play jazz guitar and seen and heard Costello.

He is no guitar player and no singer.



All comments from YouTube:

@leokimvideo

I would be dead nervous doing this in front of the master who wrote this beautiful song.

@cabbey31

It's hard to tell if John or Paul wrote their tunes. Sometimes it's obvious, other times, not so much... I'm still a Wings fan, Sir Paul!

@citizensnips007

I think he was too

@thankfullycraig6954

@JK yeah- I agree, he looks a little uncomfortable.

@528491Inception

And the president...But that's incidental haha

@528491Inception

@Steve Klemetti Sure, but that wouldn't make me any less nervous.

73 More Replies...

@MikeMaxwell1961

Unbelievable! That Marine on the piccolo trumpet was simply fabulous! Master Sergeant, you are absolutely phenomenal with that trumpet!

@tj-kv6vr

and for your service to this country, thanks!

@cesarzevallos261

i meet him at the white house. Great guy

@susanblake4800

This version had me crying my eyes out with emotion. My late husband lived in Penny Lane when a student at Liverpool University. Years later when a postgraduate student, he and I walked past Penny Lane when grocery shopping. Thank you Elvis Costello.

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