There's A Story In Your Voice
Elvis Costello & The Imposters Lyrics
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If you had the need
I'd step right in your shoes that you've been walking
'Cause someone put the hurt in you
For everyone to see
And you only have to speak to tell your fortune
There's a story in your voice
It tells of promises and pleasure
And a tale of wine and woe
The uneasy time to come
And the long way round we go to get there
Once you told me fairy tales
Everybody knows
But I didn't care for their prediction
Now you say you're leaving me
And packing up your clothes
I finally see you were a work of fiction
There's a story in your walk
Then you crumble just like chalk
And I could say that I was sorry
But I wouldn't mean it much
There are pages I can't touch
And something that's been torn out of this chapter
Far away, not far enough
'Cause I can still recall
How it felt when I read that last sentence
Now I go inside some rooms with Gideon in them all
And hide myself from all hope of repentance
There's a story in your eyes
Cheap sunglasses might disguise
But when the bedroom light reveals
All that bravado and that fright
That you cover up in spite
Attempts to strip away this fabrication
There's a story in your voice
Both by damage and by choice
It tells of promises and pleasure
And a tale of wine and woe
The uneasy time to come
And the long way round we go to get there
Elvis Costello's "There's A Story In Your Voice" is a reflective song that delves into the hurt, damage, and uncertainty of relationships. The lyrics begin with the artist wanting to step into someone's shoes to understand what they might be going through. The lines "and you only have to speak to tell your fortune" indicate that the person's pain is evident in their voice. The next stanza talks of a person's walk and how it crumbles just like chalk, again indicating their vulnerability. There is a sense of acceptance of the pain and hurt that is intrinsic to one's life journey, for the lines "It tells of promises and pleasure, and a tale of wine and woe, the uneasy times to come and the long way round we go to get there" highlight that life is a long journey with ups and downs.
The chorus talks of the 'story in your voice' once again and how it reveals damage and choice. It will tell you of the good and bad times and the results of our decisions. The third stanza talks about the journey away from the hurtful relationship and how the artist can still recall how he felt when he read the last sentence of the tale. He hides himself from all hope of repentance and dreads going into certain rooms that hold memories. Finally, the song talks about the person's eyes and how their "cheap sunglasses might disguise" their emotions, but when the bedroom light reveals all their bravado and fright, it strips away the fabrication of their façade.
Overall, this song is about the challenges of human relationships, the pain we all experience, and how it shapes our story. Despite the hurtful experiences, we may end up being stronger for having lived them.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon another time
In the past, at a different point in time
If you had the need
If you required assistance
I'd step right in your shoes that you've been walking
I would empathize and understand your situation
'Cause someone put the hurt in you
You were hurt by someone
For everyone to see
Your emotional pain is visible to others
And you only have to speak to tell your fortune
You can predict your future by the way you speak
There's a story in your voice
Your voice reveals your story
Both by damage and by choice
Your story is influenced by both external factors and personal decisions
It tells of promises and pleasure
Your story includes both promises and happiness
And a tale of wine and woe
Your story includes both joy and sorrow
The uneasy time to come
The future will be difficult and uncertain
And the long way round we go to get there
Our journey will be long and arduous
Once you told me fairy tales
You used to tell me unrealistic stories
Everybody knows
Your stories were widely known
But I didn't care for their prediction
I did not believe in the outcomes of these stories
Now you say you're leaving me
You indicate that you will depart from me
And packing up your clothes
You are gathering your belongings to leave
I finally see you were a work of fiction
I realize that you were not genuine or sincere
There's a story in your walk
Your gait reveals a narrative
Then you crumble just like chalk
Your demeanor quickly fades
And I could say that I was sorry
I could apologize
But I wouldn't mean it much
However, I would not truly regret my actions
There are pages I can't touch
There are parts of your life that I cannot access
And something that's been torn out of this chapter
A significant element has been removed from your current phase of life
Far away, not far enough
Although distant, it is not enough distance between us
'Cause I can still recall
I still remember vividly
How it felt when I read that last sentence
My emotions when I read the last sentence are still strong
Now I go inside some rooms with Gideon in them all
I retreat to spaces where I am at peace
And hide myself from all hope of repentance
I avoid any possibility of regret or remorse
There's a story in your eyes
Your eyes reveal your story
Cheap sunglasses might disguise
Sunglasses may conceal your true emotions
But when the bedroom light reveals
However, when you are in intimate settings
All that bravado and that fright
Your facade disappears and your vulnerability is exposed
That you cover up in spite
You purposely hide your true emotions
Attempts to strip away this fabrication
I aim to reveal your true self
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind