This song tells the story of an old lady who lives in a nursing home. She l… Read Full Bio ↴This song tells the story of an old lady who lives in a nursing home. She lives a quiet and still existence as she gradually loses her memory. It was inspired by Costello's grandmother, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

Paul McCartney wrote this with Costello. The lyrics are reminiscent of McCartney's Beatles song "Eleanor Rigby."

Veronica
Elvis Costello Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Is it all in that pretty little head of yours?
What goes on in that place in the dark?
Well, I used to know a girl and I could have sworn
That her name was Veronica

Oh well, she used to have a carefree mind of her own
And a delicate look in her eye
These days I'm afraid she's not even sure

If her name is Veronica

Do you suppose that waiting hands on eyes
Veronica has gone to hide?
And all the time she laughs at those
Who shout her name and steal her clothes
Veronica
Veronica
Veronica (Veronica)

Do the days drag by? Did the favors wane?
Did he roam down the town all the while?
Will you wake from your dream with a wolf at the door
Reaching out for Veronica

Well, it was all of sixty-five years ago
When the world was the street where she lived
And a young man sailed on a ship in the sea
With a picture of Veronica

On the Empress of India
And as she closed her eyes upon the world
And picked upon the bones of last week's news
She spoke his name out loud again

Do you suppose that waiting hands on eyes
Veronica has gone to hide?
And all the time she laughs at those
Who shout her name and steal her clothes
Veronica
Veronica
Veronica (Veronica)

Veronica sits in her favorite chair
She sits very quiet and still
And they call her a name that they never get right
And if they don't then nobody else will

But she used to have a carefree mind of her own
With a devilish look in her eye
Saying, "You can call me anything you like
But my name is Veronica"

Do you suppose that waiting hands on eyes
Veronica has gone to hide?
And all the time she laughs at those
Who shout her name and steal her clothes
Veronica

Veronica
Oh (oh) Veronica

Overall Meaning

The song Veronica by Elvis Costello is a poignant depiction of the theme of memory, as it revolves around the story of a woman named Veronica. The lyrics hint at the idea of memory being dependent on one's perception of the past and reveal how time shapes a person's existence. The song begins with Elvis Costello asking the question, "Is it all in that pretty little head of yours? What goes on in that place in the dark?" These questions are targeted towards Veronica, who is not sure of her name anymore. She is the same woman Costello knew for a long time, who had a carefree mind and delicate look in her eyes.

The song then moves on to suggest that Veronica is hiding from something or someone, as the lyrics ask if "waiting hands on eyes" have taken her away. It appears that she is running away from her past and memories, represented by the lines "And all the time she laughs at those Who shout her name and steal her clothes." The song's final verses narrate the story of Veronica's past, where she was a young woman in love with a sailor who has now long gone. She is the same woman who is now sitting in her favorite chair, reminiscing about the past and being called by different names.

Overall, Elvis Costello's Veronica is an emotional and introspective piece that explores the complex nature of memory and its impact on an individual's life.

Line by Line Meaning

Is it all in that pretty little head of yours?
Elvis Costello questions if Veronica's thoughts and emotions are all just in her head.

What goes on in that place in the dark?
Costello asks Veronica what happens in her innermost thoughts that are kept hidden from everyone else.

Well, I used to know a girl and I could have sworn That her name was Veronica
Costello reminisces about a girl named Veronica he used to know.

Oh well, she used to have a carefree mind of her own And a delicate look in her eye These days I'm afraid she's not even sure If her name is Veronica
Costello describes how Veronica used to be carefree and innocent, but she has since lost herself and has become unsure of who she is.

Do you suppose that waiting hands on eyes Veronica has gone to hide? And all the time she laughs at those Who shout her name and steal her clothes Veronica Veronica Veronica (Veronica)
Costello ponders if Veronica has gone into hiding while other people take advantage of her. Her laughter in response to their actions indicates her disillusionment with the world.

Do the days drag by? Did the favors wane? Did he roam down the town all the while? Will you wake from your dream with a wolf at the door Reaching out for Veronica
Costello wonders if Veronica is stuck in a monotonous cycle while someone (possibly her lover) takes advantage of her. He fears that she may end up in a dangerous situation.

Well, it was all of sixty-five years ago When the world was the street where she lived And a young man sailed on a ship in the sea With a picture of Veronica On the Empress of India
Costello recalls a time when the world was much simpler and Veronica was young. He mentions a young man who carried a picture of Veronica on a ship named Empress of India.

And as she closed her eyes upon the world And picked upon the bones of last week's news She spoke his name out loud again
Costello imagines Veronica, in her old age, reflecting on her past and saying the name of the young man she once knew.

Veronica sits in her favorite chair She sits very quiet and still And they call her a name that they never get right And if they don't then nobody else will
Costello portrays Veronica as an elderly woman who is often mistaken for someone else, and people fail to acknowledge who she truly is.

But she used to have a carefree mind of her own With a devilish look in her eye Saying, "You can call me anything you like But my name is Veronica"
Despite her current situation, Costello remembers how in her youth Veronica had a rebellious streak and a strong sense of self-identity while standing up to whoever called her by the wrong name.

Oh well, they don't know what I mean And I say oh, oh, oh, well They don't know what I mean And I say oh, oh, oh, well They don't know what I mean And I say oh, oh, oh, well
These lines are the refrain of the song and Costello implies that nobody fully understands what he means or is trying to convey about Veronica.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Elvis Costello, Paul James Mccartney

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@RobQos

7y↑3

Nicolas. Here's a spur of the moment poem inspired by your words :o)

Your comment made me cry,
69 suns & moons I saw
perfect in the sky.

69 suns and Moons but 64
were all the ones I needed
for the good times I had in store,

16 years is not so much
for where we're going to be
always together - to touch & hold & see

To truth&understandstanding
To sweetness and the rest
This is just the warm up to the main event.... a test

Here's to saying "Hi"
And not taking your chance to say what you wanted to say
Here's to saying bye - & thinking of me on any moon lit night or sunny day.

@chriscrawford2401

Sweetest, gentlest song. Reminds me of my grandmother, and especially my wife's grandmother. Songs like this help us share our humanity. Thank you, Declan!

From Wikipedia:

"Veronica" is a single from Elvis Costello's 1989 album Spike, co-written by Costello with Paul McCartney. The song "Veronica" was co-produced by T-Bone Burnett and Kevin Killen, and features Paul McCartney on his iconic Höfner bass. In 2004, Entertainment Weekly voted it one of Costello's top ten greatest tunes.[1]

The song focuses on an older woman who has experienced severe memory loss. Costello's inspiration for this song was his grandmother, who suffered from Alzheimer's. When talking about the song on a VH1 interview, Costello reminisced about his grandmother having "terrifying moments of lucidity" and how this was the inspiration for "Veronica". In his 2015 autobiography, Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink, Costello wrote of his collaboration with McCartney, "I'd brought an early version of "Veronica" that you would have recognized […] All the words I'd already written were about my paternal grandmother, Molly, or more formally, Mabel Josephine Jackson. In fact, her Catholic confirmation name, Veronica, provided the very title of the song".

"Veronica" and its accompanying video depicts an aged woman, probably nearing the end of her life in a retirement home, engaging in detached reminiscences from her life from young girl to young womanhood (played by Zoe Carides). The video for "Veronica" featured Costello delivering a spoken-word monologue to the camera, and occasionally singing the song softly over the original vocal track from the recording. The video, co-directed by John Hillcoat and Evan English, earned an MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video.

All comments from YouTube:

@Alkame1

13y↑167

My name is Veronica and Elvis Costello was born on the same day and year as I am, I'm currently caring for my mother who is 89 and has dementia, this song brings tears to my eyes. Great song!

@joes51

2y↑6

Tears of love and sorrow are the most powerful things one can ever experience in a lifetime moms spirit will always be near you,,,,, ,

@sharonpetner5171

2y↑3

Hi Veronica. God bless you and your Mom 💗.
My name is Sharon Veronica Veronica--yes, double Veronica in my name--and I love this song too--it's my theme song, and life is a quick blur and this day is coming for me.
I'm talking care of my 89 year old Dad and he just started with this recently and it's very scary to think it's not going to get any better 😟
God and Jesus bless you and your family always Veronica 🙏💕🙏

@danettejenee

2y↑3

We are all so connected .. thanks for sharing 💖

@aryehfirst2654

2y↑4

@@sharonpetner5171 partners veronica also. Just love ... just love.

@cindikirkland1955

44w↑1

I have spent the last 30 years caring for dementia patients. This hits very hard and true.❤

10 More Replies...

@HIVgirl1

13y↑58

when I first heard this song, I was in my 20's and loved the tune. When I was in my 30's I started to listen to the words. When I was in my 40's my mother had Alzheimer's and when I was in my 50's she was dead. I wished I had paid more attention in my 20's

@NonMoiMyselfAndI

4y↑3

I heard this song when I was about 12 and it stuck with me since. It was only a few years after I lost my great grandma and made profoundly aware of time.

@andreagiuntini6945

3y↑2

Denise Becker@❤️same for me😢

@scottboswell6406

3y↑4

This is one of those songs that grows as we grow older. Kind of amazing!

@fit4life939

3y↑2

Me too .exactly how i feel.

@ritasentilles5825

3y↑1

So sorry for your loss. I lost my Aunt Rita Sentilles Hebert in 1987. We knew nothing about the disease in the south. I call it the mind worm and it's such a sad death. The first time I heard Veronica I immediately knew it was about Alzheimer's .Rest in peace all that have died from this horrible illness

2 More Replies...

@judegrant6664

39w↑19

This , I think, is one of the finest songs ever written and performed. I think it's a shame that many people have never heard of it. Everybody, please share this song with everybody that you know. It is just that cool of a song.

@veronicaalleyne

27w↑1

the backstory is also incredibly touching, Elvis wrote this song for his grandmother who had Alzheimer's

@veronicaalleyne

10w

he wrote it for his grandmother who had Alzheimer's

@MonaBradbury

6y↑56

This song is beautiful. I remember hearing it back in the 80s when I was a kid, and I never understood it. My mom is sitting in a retirement home, with dementia, at 75, on a memory care floor. For some reason, this song just popped into my head and I had to google it. I had no idea, all these years, that this was about Costello's grandmother who suffered from Alzheimers. Very tragic. I get very teary eyed watching this now, as I can completely relate to it :'(

@joes51

2y↑5

I did not no myself what this song was about all I knew was it had a very nice upbeat uplifting sound to it that i liked there was a arcade i would go to in Huntington beach all the time when the song came out they had a vidio juke box there at the time, when i played it there i finally figured it out,,tears of love and sorrow are the most powerful things we will ever experience while we are here,,,,,,,,,,,

@flacan2020

2y↑4

I too just came to this realizaton after actually sitting down and listening to the lyrics of this song at 50. And it made tears come to my eyes!
Sorry Elivis that I did not listen sooner! Thanks

@veronicaalleyne

36w↑1

no one close me is suffering yet but, now that I know the backstory I get a bit choked up too, I guess I suffer from too much empathy

@owlcu

10y↑71

This must be one of the most perfectly crafted pop songs ever.

@diamonddavemusic

1y↑11

When I was young and still living at home, my mom would take care of an elderly friend of the family with Alzheimer's. Her name was Belen, and often she would sit very quiet and still in her favorite chair. That line in the song reminds me of Belen. Such a nice lady. She passed on, and my mother also passed away in 2020,. My mom also suffered from memory loss in her later years. May they both rest in peace. ❤

@ChargingWildebeest

11y↑20

My mom was an elementary school teacher for decades. She was loved by her students and I still receive warm thoughts from her friends and former students to this day. She became afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. It was a long, slow goodbye. We lost her a bit at a time. At times, her disease was a source of conflict within our family. Elvis Costello's song is a beautiful tribute to his grandma, my mom, and anyone else who has lost a loved one to this terrible disease.

@internettrowel6930

6y↑2

a good teacher lives on in the hearts and minds of her students,
they remember what she no longer could, and will carry that for a lifetime...
such a wonderful gift to give to the world.

@joes51

2y↑2

When the song came out 1989 I was working as a custodian at a sanitarium for the elderly I would always do my best to liven up every ones life the best I could while working there it was always gut wrenching for me to see a relative visit someone only once in a great while they would come to life and be so happy to get a visit from a loved one when the visit was over i would hear them crying in their rooms knowing they would not get another visit in a long time i would feel the grief with them during the time i worked there I learned love and sorrow are the most powerful things we will experience while we are here,,,,,

@anneanne9009

I remember getting frustrated at nana because she was always a grump and then one day she said to me, the worst thing you can say to me as I said it before. They know they are declining but we don't listen.

@seanwallace396

2y↑9

I bawl like a baby everytime I watch this video. The topic, Elvis being vulnerable, the thought that it could be any of us or has been people we love. The encapsulation of a life in the imagery. Macca laying down a sweet bassline. Beautiful work Declan.

@andrewbrown4535

10y↑72

one of his most haunting lyrics to one of his most upbeat tunes from this era, about his grandmother Veronica who suffered from dementia in later life.

@ilovemightybite

5y↑3

I had no idea. That's heartbreaking.

@kristyottomeyer5466

5y↑5

Wow, I just watched the video for the first time, saw your comment and it really brings a completely different meaning to what I thought was maybe an ex girlfriend or something. 😞

@vernpascal1531

4y↑3

@@kristyottomeyer5466 -How could anyone on the planet dislike this song or video?Apparently 102 do...

@joes51

2y↑1

I believe one of the things elvis had on his mind when he wrote this song was love and sorrow are two of the most powerful things we will experience while we are here,,,,,

@pchazzb

11y↑19

One of my favourite songs of all times. Unparalleled Elvis and Paul.

@richardgoffin-lecar5001

11y↑10

An absolutely brilliant song by a lyrical genius - It's difficult for young people to understand that old people were young once, but they were. This song sums it up in a marvelously toe-tapping fashion. First rate!

@veronicaalleyne

27w

that is the thing, once upon a time we were all somebody's baby boy or girl, we come into this world in the same way that is, being born & one day we all will die, the real shame of it is that isn't enough to bind us together for a high tide lifts all boats

@cliveedwards2958

2y↑10

This video to this song is utterly brilliant...Elvis plays the part so well...my dad died of dementia and Elvis captures and gets inside the mind of this lady and the prison of her own thoughts..clever video and well executed

@simplymarilyn5295

8y↑12

Nicholas, so sorry to hear about your dad. My mom is 86y and lives with me. Its challenging but still grateful to have her with me. Everyday is a new day to be unwrapped and see what God has for me.....I try not to take anything for granted and so happy on the days she remembers who I am....that is a reward in itself.

@yacawntmiss

8y↑1

I think it's important to remember who she was during her active life because all of those experiences make her who she is. Although Alzheimer's robs people of that identity it's up to us to keep that identity alive.

@bsbob52

16y↑17

Brilliant songwriting! Two greats, Elvis and Paul. Excellent bass line by Paul McCartney as usual.

@BobbyArcturas

7y↑38

I love this song, but I can't watch the video, because I always end up crying like a baby. I spent 17 years working as a CNA, working in health care facilities, taking care of the elderly. I can listen to song and get through it, barely. One of my last patients was a woman with Alzheimer's, who was very sweet, but slowly losing her faculties. Leaving her and leaving that line of work was very hard, but all of us have to move on. The sad thing about health care is , we can prolong your life, but we can't always prolong the quality of it.

@marksoberay2318

4y↑2

Exactly...i stopped it at 1:37

@brianogden1789

Thank you for your love and service to others in their time of need this what the Bible calls loving your Neighbor as Yourself. Your a good person.

@joes51

2y↑1

When the song out in 1989 I was 28 working at a sanitarium for the elderly always did my best to liven things up for everybody there,the hardest times for me was when somebody there very old got a rare visit from a loved one they would be so happy,but after the visit was over they would be crying in their rooms after the visit I would feel the pain with them ,I had to quit that job
..

@Rhowdan

8y↑19

This song always manages to choke me up <3 Last sentence he says .... yeah, gets you every time.

@poolbear2160

7y↑5

I remember taking my wife and 3 year old son to see my grandmother. She lived by herself on a farm in western Pennsylvania. Every few minutes she would say "who's the boy", it broke my heart. I watch this frequently to remind me of her. I have a picture of Grandma Mary Ihnat, My son and my late wife just to left of my chair. It must be dust or smoke that's in my eyes.

@RastaSaiyaman

9y↑6

I lost my father six months ago, I told him that he shouldn't worry about me, I had plans for my life and how I intended to work as hard as I could to fullfill them. His final words to me were "I have all faith in you"

This song reminds me of the fact that although he was my father, I didn't really know him as a person that well.

@thomasdeely3356

2y↑1

God bless your Veronica. This song just speaks volumes ,it makes me happy, and sad at the same time.

@motherearthheidi

11y↑8

Love this song...it use to remind me so very much of my Grandmother...now Im the grandma and I see my life behind me and cherish this song even that much more.

@eqsheiky

9y↑4

It is songs like this that define the best of us. He stayed by his Moms side and loved her, even though it was mostly to do with a time when he was not yet born. He was able to see beyond the veneer of a parent and loved the woman she was. She did not have to be Mom, she was Veronica, and he loved her. I especially love the track in the recording where he sings along over the prerecorded song.

@mightyluv

10y↑11

What a great song and beautiful dedication.

@debramcdaniel6336

1y↑1

I love this song more now that I have more yesterdsys than tomorrows. It brings me to tears now however because when it came out I was too young to really understand what it was about. But now that I am very senior I understand the sadness of forgetting one's life.

@bartbrants7711

19w

Costelo every mind has thinking likle they wants , I am a healer and love great music and you are one of the best That made me happy

@chdimas

16y↑7

One of the best videos ever... RESPECT

@ziaone

9y↑34

such a beautiful happy sounding song, but it's achingly sad.

@jayatfreelance

9y↑4

+ziaone Such is life . . .

@aequa

14y↑2

Can't ever watch this video without tearing up. No matter how many times I see it!

@waynedalton9979

35w

I can't either

@MrMadtheory

10y↑6

3 and a half minutes of pop perfection

@TheZoomer17

13y↑7

When my ex wife and i was expecting our first child we was visiting her grandmother who was suffering Alzheimer's we told her we was getting married this was the last present memory she had till her passing away. When our daughter was born i wanted to call our daughter Veronica in memory of that moment we told her grandmother as this song reminded us of that time and to this day i still get tears when i hear it.

@hoofie2

15y↑14

"It was all of sixty-five years ago, When the world was the street where you lived" Lovely wordage, Mr Costello.

@user-qw6em9jg2s

34w

Someone I care about a great deal introduced me to this song. We haven't spoken for a while but I listen to this song quite often and think about my John.

@MrLostkitty

12y↑2

I can never make it through this video without the water works coming on full force.

@adspur

13y↑5

Nobody writes songs like this.....Costello=GENIUS

@markzappasodi3618

1y↑1

It was co written with someone that you may have heard of. Paul McCartney?

@Tawroset

Does sound kinda familiar. Give us another hint?😎

@ilovemightybite

5y↑2

Elvis Costello is amazing. Always has been, always will be.

@simplymarilyn5295

9y↑30

Yes... this song is very sad.....but even though.... I fell in love with it, when I was much younger. Now I understand it.... my mom has Alzheimer's disease and she is now "Veronica"

@LampoonGoon

8y↑3

+Marilyn Marquez , thank you... your comment made me cry... my father passed away from Alzheimer's the day before his 70th birthday. Of course, for - I think - nearly 5 years before that, he didn't know who I or my mother or my sister were anymore. That was just over 16 years ago and, uh, I still miss him too, too much. He was the nicest, sweetest person I ever knew - and I've been quite the non-success. Oh well... at least I have an understanding of the truth of much in the world. At least I have that. Oh and a bunch of friends who think I'm pretty neat. huh, wow... still crying here. Oh yes... I was upstairs in 'Smith & Caughey's' department store here in Auckland, New Zealand in 1995. Suddenly, who's walking towards me with a furry hat on and a minder right behind him? Elvis Costello. What do I think of to say? "Hi, Elvis". He replies, "Hello". That's the extent of my genius when I have a musical legend walking towards me... "Hi [name]". Sometimes I wonder what I have between my ears. Anyway, I love this song and thanks, Marilyn. It's been good to cry again but, uh, yeah... still going. Well, take care... hug

@RobQos

7y↑2

"....and I've been quite the non-success".

No you haven't. I read what you wrote and I loved it. It's a little song in itself. You could turn it into a poem. You've touched upon stuff I'm dealing with. That's success. Thank you.

@RobQos

7y↑3

@kieranlindsay1220

4y↑1

my ma has dementia just sad

@mattharrison5068

40w

randomly thought of this video and remembered loving it, so glad to see it has over 1M views

@allidock11

7y↑1

His accent so surprises me! I've only loved him as a singer. It's delightful.

@waynekaress5778

10w

I always thought this was a great song but seeing this video adds a whole new emotional dimension.

@rebeccarosenheim5405

Thanks for tha memories
💛

@SirVoxHD

13y↑3

This is one of the best DAMN performers I've ever seen

@Misterman1982

12y↑1

I dont get why people comment on songs just to insult the artist or try to start an argument. Music is a subjective thing where no one is right or wrong. All in all there are two types of music good and bad. For everyone what falls into each off these is different, so just try to stay away from what you think is bad. Just to add amazing song. I gave up my night of study before the final exam in my weakest subject in college to see him live and it was the best thing I ever did.

@acaunce8213

What An Absolutely Brilliant Artist Who Has A Majestic Legacy. His Autobiography'Unfaithful Music& Disappearing Ink',Is Just Simply Brilliant. What An Unbelievable Artist. Cheers Mr Costello.

@wombatcarebundanoon942

7y↑1

A great song with powerful imagery, from a great artist. Amazing as ever.

@nickcooksey1

2y↑1

This music video elicits the most powerful/ emotional reaction from me than any other music video I’ve ever experienced.

@redskies4530

Hi I recommend a song called 'Where I Come From' By Robert Nix

@ouidaevans2611

2y↑1

My favorite song by my favorite Elvis!

@insaneduderone8501

2y↑2

Wow, it's amazing how many times he over dubs his lead vocal to get that full rich sound of his singing voice. Kudos to the producer of the recording.

@runejansen9252

27w↑1

Beautiful song❤❤

@wombatcarebundanoon942

5y↑2

Gets me every time......So well done.

@nickrider5220

Love Elvis's music, seen him a few times - now this song has special significance, my poor old mum is going down the same route as Veronica.......great that this song is up-lifting and not maudlin about this nasty condition 👍

@michaelanthony1118

10y↑5

Love Elvis Costello.....

@schaphra

14y

Beautiful. I didn't catch this song for over a decade, and it still can get tears in my eyes...

@brianbrantley4067

1y↑1

Such a great and meaningful song.

@SMcDan

12y

This song reminds me so much of my Mom! Love you! Shirley Sue.

@justmadeit2

23w

Listen to the lyrics, emotional song. I’m 49 and remember when this came out in the late 1980s. Time goes quick. As you get a little older you realise that.

@DaveWollenberg

13y↑1

Elvis cowrote it with Sir Paul McCartney. Declan hit #19 in Billboard, 6-24-89. God bless ya, for postin' it. Thanx!

@chriscrawford2401

@CatholicPrayersNovenas

Send him all the positive thoughts and energy you can spare. Shocked and saddened by his cancer diagnosis. He's such an amazing musical artist. I hope I will see him on tour soon. ❤

@marthacatgirl

14y

Hows great to get to see this video and hear this great song again! I loved it when it came out in 1989.

@JeffTheNebraskaDJ

A TIMELESS CLASSIC! 80'S MUSIC RULES!! I JUST REALIZED HOW MUCH ELVIS COSTELLO SOUNDS LIKE BONO FROM U2!!, the dj

@jamesfox2579

6y↑1

I absolutely LOVE this song! ❤️

@trfesok

10y↑1

Marvelous song! I'd love to hear Paul do a version of this! Thanks for the upload!

@whackamolechamp

16y↑2

Such a masterpiece. Thank you for posting this! I have always loved this song, the video was top notch too.

@sandburrr

16y

a remarkable tribute to a beloved family member... all should be so lucky

@SteveWarren1225

13y↑1

my mother has had alzheimers for 6 years now - my sister in law told me of this video - it really hit home and my heart. thanks elvis

@jennifercswindal6850

7y↑11

Miss my momma she left me I needed her

@doctorfun22

16y↑1

Thanks for posting - such a simple reminder that are time on Earth is so short. Don't sweat the small stuff Veronica! love, Dr. Fun

@mrdarkhalo666

14y

old school! takes me way back. a veritable treasure indeed!

@Batenrouge

13y

I have always loved this song, but when I lost my mom recently to Huntington's this song took on a whole new meaning. RIP <3 you mom.

@judegrant6664

25w

You know, you can ignore that this is Elvis Costello and Paul McCartney, yet you cannot deny that this song and video is among the finest pieces of music video ever recorded. Wow! What an overpowering example of "How might we discuss this?" And nevertheless it is beautiful music. Well done, Elvis and Paul!

@xfilesjunkie

13y↑1

All of my teachers would sing this when ever I walked in the room. But I still love this song :) I love my name <3 Veronica :D

@kevinpotts123

9y↑12

Every time I see Elvis Costello now, all I can think of is that he wore big frame glasses 3 decades before the hipsters glombed onto doing it. He literally did it before it was cool and made it cool because he did it.

@BuddyLeeCashLennon

9y↑3

Actually I think that it was Buddy Holly who first made it cool.

@kevinpotts123

I have no doubt that you're correct, however being a child of the late 70's and early 80's, the only memories I have of Buddy Holly are courtesy of Don McLean. He was just a little bit before my formative years.

@kevinpotts123

Kevin AQ that lady comment was meant for you. Peace man.

@kevinpotts123

Jackson Henderson you're correct. According to my father, the last great musician was Roy Orbison. It was all downhill after him.

@markwebermusic

14y

This is the Elvis song I know the best. People tell me my voice reminds them of Elvis' and I take that as a compliment.

@veronicah5270

10y↑2

Still love this song!

@carathebaker

12y

A beautiful tender video that shows the sensitive, vulnerable side of EC

@leeannpratt1663

16w

Love this song

@pvtrichter88

12y

it's interesting you can picture a whole movie based on the images in the video initially i thought there was and not just what was shot for the video; but you have to love the great way Elvis is able to deliver a story through his songwriing skills and his musicianship !!

@XxowendanxX

10y↑1

Paul McCartney and the Beatles always did love the music of Elvis.

@williamwalls9745

+Owen Daniels Wait, what?

@XxowendanxX

William Walls It be true! The Beatles loved Elvis.

@claudiocruzat8777

One of thr most Insipid artists from the US. Anything is possible.

@TheSeafordian

What?

@rond1763

Great song for such a sad subject!

@preagle60657

12y↑4

Reading that he wrote this about/for his mother made it that much more poignant. Beautiful song, wonderful video.

@poolbear2160

It was his Grandmother.

@catchersmitt0

16y

Never too late. I've been all around the world to some pretty cool places. Even just going to London or Paris is pretty wild, and not so far.

@Jeff98177

16y

My grandmother spent the last few weeks of her life in a nursing home. Mentally she was fine but she had a roommate in the final stages of life who kept speaking out loud as though she were having memories similar to ones shown in the video, fleeting, jumping from year to year. "Thank you for the dolly, Papa", things like that. I hope it brought her some comfort.

@chuckboy343

16y

absolutely beautiful

@stuartmckern6206

Absolutely brilliant

@asil4370

16y

Always loved this song. Thanks for the video, it was awesome.

@mrs4mozart

13y

I dong know what year this video came out on vh1 but I had 3 children, now 29,28 and 22 and we all had this taped and watched it over and over, we all would tear up at the end, we all thought she died there. We also took care of a great great aunt at the time and the same stories came up and now she has died. We all still bring up the song in such a touching memory. My daughter is pregnant and I think I will mention naming her baby Veronica if a girl. Thanx Elvis and Paul from my children and I

@catchersmitt0

16y

This song touches me more each time I hear it. My own mom is very old but still mentally OK. We always have fun laughing.

@ridingroy

14y

Brilliant and touching, Bravo.

@petertorque

16y

Stunning!

@markjackson9300

18w

Very touching.

@tammas2000

14y

It's so very, very touching, and he delivers it like no one else could. He is slightly light on those awful, dehumanising nursing homes, Elvis can be scathing, which is slightly surprising, but then again, it's not about them, is it?

@Robster543210

14y

Great song. Great video.

@VampireSeal

16y

This is the first time I've seen this vid. It made me cry.

@kevingilligan139

9y↑1

My aunt just died of Alzeimer's on Thursday. She was so sharp before the dementia set in. It makes me want to cry.

@jeandepaul

13y

Just found this song. And now I'm happy. :)

@decosterish

11y

I absolutely love this song !! the lyrics are just so.."WAAUW"...!!!..something to think about ..it has a kind of romantic sadness when he sings about her when she was young but even now-when she's old-he still doesn't know "what goes on in that pretty little head of hers"?? oooohhh and her name was veronica.. ooooooowww..brilliant lyrics !!!!!!