Internationally, the band is perhaps best known for popular rock hits such as "Oliver's Army" and "Pump It Up", both featuring expressive yet sardonic vocals from Costello. He reconvened the band for one-off albums and tours over the following decade, particularly from 1994 through 1996. He has also enlisted Nieve, and to a lesser extent Pete Thomas, for other recordings and performances, and this continues to the present day. Costello and Bruce Thomas have had a notoriously stormy relationship, documented in Thomas' 1990 autobiographical novel 'The Big Wheel'. The original Attractions reunited for the 'Brutal Youth & All This Useless Beauty' sessions despite Costello and Thomas' differences. Pete Thomas and Steve Nieve, along with Bruce Thomas' replacement Davey Faragher, have been a part of Costello's other most well known backing band, The Imposters.
Together, Costello and the Attractions, based out of London, England, recorded ten albums. Most of which are critically regarded as among Costello's finest. They are: 'This Year's Model' (1978); 'Armed Forces' (1979); 'Get Happy' (1980); 'Trust' (1981); 'Almost Blue' (1981); 'Imperial Bedroom' (1982); 'Punch The Clock' (1983); 'Goodbye Cruel World' (1984); 'Blood and Chocolate' (1986), and 'All This Useless Beauty' (1996). The full band plays on some, but not all, tracks on the 1994 release 'Brutal Youth', which is credited to Costello alone. In addition, The Attractions also recorded an album without Costello, titled 'Mad About the Wrong Boy', which they released in 1980.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions most recently appeared together, although they didn't play, when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. The band's work has continued to receive much airplay and sell quite well over the years. 'Mad About the Wrong Boy', while obscure, has been a collectors item for many new wave and power pop fans.
Lovers Walk
Elvis Costello & The Attractions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Be on) Beyond caution where lovers walk
My love walks where three's a crowd
Beyond caution where lovers walk
Lovers walk, lovers scramble
Beyond caution where the lovers walk
Lovers step, shuffle and gamble
Lovers trip, lovers stumble
Lovers dip, lovers fumble
Lovers lip where love has crumbled
Beyond caution where lovers walk
Lovers strut, lovers stroll, lovers leap
Lovers late, lovers wait
Making promises that they can't keep
Lovers link up arm and arm
Lovers slink up, lovers charm
Lovers drink up and come to harm
Beyond caution where lovers walk
Love is gone and it's no one's fault
Love has stopped here, lovers halt
Lovers don't walk, lovers run
Will you look what love has done
Will you look what love has done
Will you look what love has done
Beyond caution where lovers walk
Now love's limping on a lover's crutch
Looking for a hand with a personal touch
Beyond caution where lovers walk
In "Lovers Walk" by Elvis Costello & The Attractions, the singer refuses to bow his head as he walks and instead chooses to proceed with caution. The concept of caution in love is highlighted throughout the song as it talks about how love can be a gamble where lovers trip and stumble, make promises too big to keep and ultimately come to harm. The lyrics urge people to be careful when they walk beyond caution, where lovers walk, as three can be a crowd and love can crumble.
The song then goes on to describe the different ways in which lovers walk - they may scramble, step, strut, stroll or even leap. However, when love is gone, the song acknowledges that it's not anyone's fault, and love ends up limping on a lover's crutch, looking for someone to help it with a personal touch.
Overall, "Lovers Walk" is a song that urges the listener to be careful with love and to respect the fact that it can sometimes be a fragile and unpredictable thing. It highlights the different ways people may approach love and that it's important to know when to be cautious and when to take a leap of faith.
Line by Line Meaning
I won't walk with my head bowed
I refuse to act ashamed or defeated
(Be on) Beyond caution where lovers walk
To love, one must be brave, unafraid of the unknown
My love walks where three's a crowd
My love is unconventional and not accepted by others
Lovers walk, lovers scramble
Love can be a chaotic, hurried, and unpredictable journey
Lovers step, shuffle and gamble
Love requires taking risks and making significant decisions
Lovers trip, lovers stumble
Love can be tumultuous, full of ups and downs
Lovers dip, lovers fumble
Love doesn't always go smoothly, and couples make mistakes along the way
Lovers lip where love has crumbled
Couples may try to maintain intimacy even when their love has faded
Lovers strut, lovers stroll, lovers leap
Love can also be a dance, requiring different moves depending on the moment
Lovers late, lovers wait
Love may take its time or cause delays, but it's worth it for true love
Making promises that they can't keep
Couples can make empty promises or struggle to fulfill vows made in love
Lovers link up arm and arm
Love creates a bond that connects couples together
Lovers slink up, lovers charm
Couples can use charm to attract others or sneak off together
Lovers drink up and come to harm
Love can lead to drinking and harmful behavior in some cases
Love is gone and it's no one's fault
Love can simply fade away without anyone to blame
Love has stopped here, lovers halt
When love ends, couples must stop and reevaluate their lives
Lovers don't walk, lovers run
When love is good, it's intense, wild and fast
Will you look what love has done
Love can have a powerful and sometimes destructive impact on people's lives
Now love's limping on a lover's crutch
When love falters, it can cause pain and require support to get through
Looking for a hand with a personal touch
Love requires a personal connection and can't be experienced alone
Beyond caution where lovers walk
Love requires taking risks in order to achieve true happiness
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dirty Lemon
The piano part comes right from Bo Diddley's Say Man and Dearest Darling. Bo's influence should never be underestimated.
Erwin Woodedge
I heard it too!
Ian Evans
That bit when the instruments all drop out except the drums. Outstanding.
William Gibson
You can talk about his powers as a lyricist in hushed tones but then you realise that his song writing is on a par. He seems quite sane but I've heard that those whom the Gods love they first make mad.
james knight
"looking for a hand with a personal touch" thanks for posting the lyrics. this guy really kills me......................................
Vern Pascal
"Your Love Walks Where 3's A Crowd". That cuts to the bone real quick.
David Maholchic
Trust Elvis his best album
Dabi
Haha LOVE
Martin Miller
Now go listen to Bo Diddley's "Dearest Darling". LOL!
james knight
yeah they certainly took it to another dimension what a groove.....................