Crimes Of Paris
Elvis Costello Lyrics


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I thought it was you and your optimist`s view of the clock
And how it`s always another day
Just after twelve o`clock`s struck
You said "Now I only want you so I don`t have to promise"
But tiny children in grown-up clothes whispered all the Crimes of Paris

[Chorus:]
You`re not the girl next-door or a girl from France
Or the cigarette-girl in the sizzle hot-pants
All the words of love seem cruel and crass
When you`re tough and transparent as armored glass
You`re everywhere girl in an everyday mess
Who`ll pay for the Crimes of Paris

I heard that you fell for the "Hell or to Hammersmith Blues"
In the tiny torn up pieces of his mind he`s irresistible too
Now it`s hard to say now if he`s only stupid or smart
When he crawled through the door
And poured out more of his creeping-Jesus heart

[Chorus:]

And it`s all here and now
She hit him with that paper-weight Eiffel Tower
And I tried to hold on to you but I don`t know how
And I find it hard to swallow good advice
Like going down three times to only come up twice

She`s so convenient, he`s always stiff as hair-lacquer
It`s hard to discover now he`s in love with her
It was her way of getting her own back
You never did anything she couldn't do on her own
You`re as good as your word and that`s no good to her
You`d better leave that kitten alone





[Chorus:]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Elvis Costello & The Attractions's song "Crimes of Paris" are full of intricate metaphors and contradictions. The singer seems to be addressing a woman (or multiple women) who is a mystery to him. He references her "optimist's view of the clock" and her ability to find another day just as the clock strikes twelve, implying that she is an eternal optimist. However, he then juxtaposes this with her selfishness, saying that she wants him only so she doesn't have to "promise." This contrast sets the tone for the rest of the song.


As the song progresses, the singer describes the woman's many contradictions. She is "tough and transparent as armored glass," simultaneously everywhere and nowhere, and "in an everyday mess." He muses that "all the words of love seem cruel and crass" in her presence. The mysterious woman seems to be both irresistible and impossible to understand, much less love.


Towards the end of the song, the narrative takes a violent turn when the woman hits someone with the paperweight Eiffel Tower. The singer is unable to hold onto her, and he struggles to come to terms with her and her actions. Ultimately, he seems to imply that the woman is using her power over men to get her own back, and that the singer is better off leaving her alone.


Line by Line Meaning

I thought it was you and your optimist's view of the clock
I believed in your hopeful perspective that time is always on your side


And how it's always another day
No matter what happens, there's always tomorrow


Just after twelve o'clock's struck
Immediately after something significant has occurred


You said 'Now I only want you so I don't have to promise'
You declared that you only desire me so you don't have to make any commitments


But tiny children in grown-up clothes whispered all the Crimes of Paris
Despite your intentions, the truth about your past mistakes and wrongdoings has been revealed


[Chorus:] You're not the girl next-door or a girl from France Or the cigarette-girl in the sizzle hot-pants All the words of love seem cruel and crass When you're tough and transparent as armored glass You're everywhere girl in an everyday mess Who'll pay for the Crimes of Paris
You're not a typical girl, and despite the romantic words spoken, love is difficult when you are as tough and transparent as a pane of glass. You are a mess that is found everywhere, and someone will have to pay the price for the wrongs you have done


I heard that you fell for the 'Hell or to Hammersmith Blues'
I learned that you were seduced by the lure of danger and excitement


In the tiny torn up pieces of his mind he's irresistible too
Despite his flaws, he is still desirable in his own way, like a puzzle with missing pieces


Now it's hard to say now if he's only stupid or smart
It's difficult to determine if he's foolish or clever


When he crawled through the door And poured out more of his creeping-Jesus heart
When he entered the room and began sharing his over-dramatic, religiously charged sentiments


[Chorus:]


And it's all here and now
Everything is happening in the present moment


She hit him with that paper-weight Eiffel Tower
She attacked him with a heavy, decorative sculpture of the Eiffel Tower


And I tried to hold on to you but I don't know how
I attempted to keep a grip on you, but I'm not sure how to do so


And I find it hard to swallow good advice Like going down three times to only come up twice
I struggle with accepting worthwhile guidance, such as the idea that one must go down three times in order to succeed only twice


She's so convenient, he's always stiff as hair-lacquer
She is easy and effortless to be with, while he is always rigid and tightly wound


It's hard to discover now he's in love with her
It's difficult to accept that he is in love with her


It was her way of getting her own back
She was retaliating against someone who had wronged her


You never did anything she couldn't do on her own
You were never useful or necessary to her, as she is perfectly capable of handling things alone


You're as good as your word and that's no good to her
You are reliable and honest, but those traits do not benefit her in any way


You'd better leave that kitten alone
You should not attempt to get involved with her, as it will only end poorly


[Chorus:]




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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