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.
Why Don't You Love Me
Elvis Costello & The Attractions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How come you treat me like a worn out shoe?
My hair is still curly and my eyes are still blue
Why don't you love me like you used to do?
Ain't had no lovin' like a-huggin' and a-kissin' in a long, long while
We don't get nearer, further, closer than a country mile
Why don't you be the sort you used to be?
I'm the same old trouble that you've always been through
Why don't you love me like you used to do?
Ain't had no lovin' like a-huggin' and a-kissin' in a long, long while
We don't get nearer, further, closer than a country mile
Why don't you spark me like you used to do?
Say sweet nothings like you used to coo
Somebody's changed, so let me give you a clue
Why don't you love me like you used to do?
Elvis Costello's "Why?" is a melancholic ballad laced with longing and self-pity. The lyrics are reflective of a man questioning his partner's affections and grappling with a sense of self-worthlessness. The repeated refrain of "Why don't you love me like you used to do?" exposes a deep-seated anxiety in the singer, while the lines "How come you treat me like a worn-out shoe?/I'm the same old trouble that you've always been through" reveal the insecurities that come with feeling undesired.
The song's chorus speaks to a lack of intimacy and emotional connection between the singer and his partner, with lines like "Ain't had no lovin' like a-huggin' and a-kissin' in a long, long while/We don't get nearer, further, closer than a country mile." The singer yearns for the physical and emotional closeness they once shared, but instead feels increasingly distant and disconnected from their partner.
Overall, "Why?" is a poignant and relatable portrait of a relationship in decline, capturing the sense of desperation and helplessness that can come with loving someone who no longer seems to love you back.
Line by Line Meaning
Why don't you love me like you used to do?
I can feel your love for me decreasing, and I'm wondering what's causing it to fade away.
How come you treat me like a worn out shoe?
You're treating me as if I'm insignificant, as if I don't matter anymore.
My hair is still curly and my eyes are still blue
I haven't physically changed, so the only explanation for your lack of love towards me must be emotional or mental.
Ain't had no lovin' like a-huggin' and a-kissin' in a long, long while
It's been a long time since we've shared any physical intimacy, and I miss it dearly.
We don't get nearer, further, closer than a country mile
We're so far apart from each other, both physically and emotionally, that we may as well be in different countries.
Why don't you be the sort you used to be?
You've changed, and you're not acting the way you used to. I'm curious as to why.
How come you find so many faults with me?
Lately, you seem to view all of my flaws and mistakes as reasons to distance yourself from me.
I'm the same old trouble that you've always been through
I realize that I'm not the easiest person to deal with, but you knew what you were getting into when we got together. My flaws are nothing new.
Why don't you spark me like you used to do?
I miss the excitement and passion that we used to share. You used to make me feel alive and energetic, but now I just feel empty and numb.
Say sweet nothings like you used to coo
You used to whisper sweet words into my ear, making me feel special and loved. Now it seems like you never say anything affectionate to me anymore.
Somebody's changed, so let me give you a clue
I can sense that something in our relationship has shifted, and I wish you would communicate with me so we can work on it together.
Why don't you love me like you used to do?
This line is repeated to emphasize the singer's confusion and despair over the loss of his partner's affection.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hank Sr. Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind