Stella Hurt
Elvis Costello & The Imposters Lyrics

You should wear your red galoshes
The world is full of danger and unpredictability, so you should always be prepared with the right gear.

Walking o'er the city pride
Despite the many obstacles in life, it's important to keep moving forward and showing pride in oneself.

Streets are paved with heaven's pennies
The beauty of the world can be found in unexpected places, even in the form of discarded change in the street.

Gutters full of suicides
The world is a harsh place, and many people are driven to despair and desperation.

Teddy steadily fell from grace
Teddy was once respected and admired, but gradually lost favor and respect in the eyes of others.

Somewhere near Arcadia
The location of Teddy's downfall is not specified, but it was likely a place associated with paradise or perfection.

Once she overheard a voice
Teddy had a moment of clarity or revelation, when she heard something that resonated with her on a deep level.

That she didn't hear on the radio
This voice was not something easily heard or experienced through conventional means, but rather a more spiritual or mystical encounter.

Velvet gloves and country clubs
Despite her privileged upbringing, Teddy was too independent and reckless to fit in with the upper class society of her peers.

Were never going to hold her
Teddy was always destined to be a free spirit, unencumbered by the expectations and demands placed on her by others.

Ringing the necks of silly
Teddy was unafraid to stand up for herself and push back against those who tried to control or criticize her.

Southern belles
Teddy's rebellious attitude put her at odds with the traditional values and customs of the American South.

Who wanted to scold her
Teddy's refusal to conform to social norms or expectations made her a target for criticism and judgment from others.

Don't bring me down
Teddy resists anyone or anything that would try to stifle her freedom or bring her down emotionally.

I'm trouble bound
Teddy recognizes that her behavior and attitudes may be seen as troublesome or controversial, but she refuses to change who she is for anyone else's sake.

Blue song
Teddy's life story is a sad one, full of heartbreak, loss, and struggle.

Red Alert
Despite the many obstacles she's faced, Teddy remains alert, aware, and ready to face whatever challenges come her way.

Who made Stella Hurt?
The song's narrator wonders who or what caused Teddy's pain and suffering, and whether anyone can ever truly know the answer.

Teddy soon dropped out of sight
Teddy withdrew from public view, perhaps in an effort to escape her troubles and start anew.

Turned up in another town
Teddy relocated to a new place, hoping for a fresh start and a chance to rebuild her life.

Changed her name for the spotlight
Teddy reinvented herself, perhaps in an effort to distance herself from her troubled past and create a new persona for the public to admire.

Singing like a blue bird in a sequin gown
Teddy found success and fame as a singer, but her inner pain and turmoil still lingered beneath the surface.

She finally fell and married well
Teddy found happiness in a new relationship and married someone financially secure.

But I knew it wouldn't last
The artist is skeptical of Teddy's ability to truly find happiness and peace, believing that her troubles will always catch up with her in the end.

Reversing back into the limelight
Teddy returned to the public eye, either by choice or circumstance, and resumed her career as a performer.

No one ever saw her even half-plastered
Despite her reputation for wild behavior and partying, Teddy was careful to never let her guard down and reveal her true emotions or vulnerabilities to others.

Then she saw those soldier boys
Teddy was moved by the sacrifices and dedication of the soldiers serving their country, finding inspiration in their bravery and patriotism.

Throw their bonnets in the air
The soldiers celebrated together, letting loose and enjoying life despite the dangers and uncertainties they faced.

Self-made men would pledge their fortunes
Teddy was admired and desired by successful, ambitious men who saw her as a symbol of their own accomplishment and aspirations.

And dream of her
Teddy became a fantasy for these men, embodying their dreams and desires for a better life.

Generals in the commissary opened up a case of wine
Even high-ranking military officers enjoyed the pleasures of life and indulged in alcohol and luxury when they could.

Checked the perfume of the cork
The generals savored the finer details of their luxurious lifestyle, down to the smallest sensory experiences.

Said "Made in 1929"...
The generals appreciated the history and tradition behind their wine, recognizing its age and value as a symbol of quality and refinement.

They used her up, to raise morale for money
Teddy's talents were exploited by those in power, who saw her as a means of boosting morale and patriotism for their own financial gain.

And Old Glory
Teddy's performances were used to rally support for the American flag and the country's military efforts abroad.

Her voice was shot beyond repair
Teddy's voice was damaged or worn out from years of performing and living a hard life.

But this is not the last act of this story
The song suggests that despite all of Teddy's struggles and setbacks, there is still hope for a better outcome in the future.

The night is black as cracked shellac
The darkness of the night is compared to an old, brittle record that has seen better days.

Abandoned in an attic
Teddy is alone and forgotten, left to rot in a dusty, unused corner of someone's home.

Stella is silent as the grave
Teddy is dead and gone, with no more voice or presence in the world.

Until the needle drags her through the static
Despite her death, Teddy's music and memory live on, preserved in the grooves of a vinyl record that is still played and enjoyed by listeners today.

Who made Stella Hurt?
The question of who or what caused Teddy's pain and suffering is still unanswered, a mystery that will never be fully solved or understood.

Don't bring me down
The song's final refrain emphasizes the importance of not letting life's struggles and hardships bring us down or defeat us.

I'm trouble bound
No matter what life throws our way, we must be determined to stay strong, persevere, and keep fighting.