Almost Blue
Elvis Costello \/ The Attractions Lyrics
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Almost doing things we used to do
There's a girl here and she's almost you, almost
All the things that your eyes once promised
I see in hers too
Now your eyes are red from crying
Almost blue
It named me as the fool who only aimed to be
Almost blue
It's almost touching; it will almost do
There's a part of me that's always true, always
Not all good things come to an end now; it is only a chosen few
I have seen such an unhappy couple
Almost me
Almost you
Almost blue
The lyrics of Almost Blue by Elvis Costello & The Attractions portray an individual in a state of emotional turmoil. The song suggests that the singer is trying to move on from a past relationship, but the memories of that person linger on. The lyrics convey the feeling of the singer wanting to relive the past, but knowing deep inside that it is impossible. The idea of "Almost Blue" meaning an experience or a memory that is almost there but never fully attainable is prevalent throughout the song.
The line "There's a girl here and she's almost you, almost" refers to the singer seeing someone who resembles the person they previously had a relationship with. The idea of almost having something but not quite is emphasized here, leading the singer to make a comparison between the girl they see and the person they used to know. The lyrics "Flirting with this disaster became me, it named me as the fool who only aimed to be Almost Blue" shows the singer recognizing that they are setting themselves up for heartbreak by continuing to entertain the idea of reconnecting with the person from their past.
In conclusion, Almost Blue is a song about dealing with the bittersweet memories that linger in one's heart even after letting go of a past relationship. The lyrics convey the pain and confusion experienced by someone who is trying to move on from a past love but finding it difficult to do so.
Line by Line Meaning
Almost blue
The feeling of nostalgic sadness and melancholy.
Almost doing things we used to do
Trying to relive the moments of the past but not quite succeeding.
There's a girl here and she's almost you, almost
Trying to find a replacement for someone who is almost impossible to replace.
All the things that your eyes once promised
Remembering the promises made by someone who has gone away.
I see in hers too
Seeing the same promises in someone else's eyes.
Now your eyes are red from crying
Realizing the pain someone else must have gone through after leaving.
Flirting with this disaster became me
Knowing that trying to replace someone can only end in disaster.
It named me as the fool who only aimed to be
Feeling like a fool for trying to replace someone who cannot be replaced.
It's almost touching; it will almost do
Feeling like something is almost perfect, but not quite.
There's a part of me that's always true, always
Knowing that there will always be a part of oneself that will remain true to the past.
Not all good things come to an end now; it is only a chosen few
Realizing that some good things will last forever, while others are meant to end.
I have seen such an unhappy couple
Witnessing the pain and sorrow of others who have lost someone special.
Almost me
Feeling like a different person after experiencing heartache and loss.
Almost you
Trying to find a replacement for someone who cannot be replaced.
Almost blue
Returning to the feeling of nostalgic sadness and melancholy.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@valdomasuero9029
this song is awesome.......but the version of Chet Baker......my gosh!.....i can´t describe how beautiful is
@jessebodenmusic8885
Chet's singing on this one is one of the most remarkable uses of the human voice as an instrument I've ever heard.
@danieldirand4702
No. Too much mannerism. Costello's version is far better.
@ipsurvivor
They both blow me away... Hit that sweet spot in the center of my soul...
Elvis wrote this inspired by several haunting songs performed by Chet Baker. If I had to choose I would probably take Chet’s Version.... he goes to places that are almost ineffable...
@francescomalmsteen1
agreed, both beautiful
@ipsurvivor
Dr. killpatient - Sorry, but it was inspired by Baker’s renditions of “The Thrill Is Gone” and “Leaving”.
The following is from Wikipedia:
{After listening to Chet Baker's version of the 1931 Ray Henderson/Lew Brown song "The Thrill Is Gone" from the 1954 Pacific Jazz record Chet Baker Sings, Costello became inspired to create similar-sounding music. He noted that the recording's "eeriness" and "haunted" qualities persuaded him to create his own take on it.[1] In a 2015 memoir Costello wrote that Baker's version of the Richie Beirach song Leaving "had provoked my song 'Almost Blue' as much as Chet's recording of the Brown and Henderson song 'The Thrill is Gone.' "[2] Costello wrote the ballad that shared the same name as his previous 1981 studio album, and wrote and recorded it with a "British pop" perspective.[1]}
@domenick94
God, this is poetry... Wonderful lyrics.
@BenBudd6
Classic example of an extraordinary composer... for other musicians. Like Leonard Cohen. Chet Baker rocked this like no one can.
@jessebodenmusic8885
Never really dug Costello, but this changes that. Respect for writing this and for singing the living daylights out of it. Great! Chet's version is the gold standard, it is otherworldly good, his voice is an instrument played by a master musician. To write a song that Chet Baker did? More respect.
@hamdelsun68
Except that Elvis wrote the song for Chet....
This is hauntingly beautiful...as is Chet's cover of it, in his way.
Mad respect for both artist's interpretations. 🎺💜💖