Tears At The Birthday Party
Elvis Costello with Burt Bacharach Lyrics

Think back now when we were young
Remember when we were kids

There were always tears at the birthday party
Birthdays always brought tears, even then

You know how children can be
Kids can be cruel sometimes

So cruel
Mean and hurtful

That's how it starts, but
That's where it all begins

What if we never learn how to behave?
What if we never learn how to be kind?

I did something, and you never forgave me
I hurt you once and you've never let it go

I never thought that it could be like this
I never imagined it would end up like this

But now I see
But now I understand

I see you share your cake with him
I see you're sharing your life with someone else

Unwrapping presents that I should have sent
Opening gifts I never gave

What can I do?
What can I possibly do now?

Must I watch you?
Do I have to see this?

Close the door, dim the lights, blow out the candles
Let's close the chapter, extinguish the memories, and move on

So Happy Birthday again
Another year older, another celebration alone

And it's the same every year
Every birthday is the same

Seems that I remember it as something more, but
I used to think it was more special

You know how children can grow
People change over time

So strange
It's all so different now

I still adore you
I still love you

What if we never learn from our mistakes?
What if we keep making the same mistakes?

But then, you'll never know how my heart aches
But you won't know the pain it causes me

One day I know he'll forget
One day he'll take you for granted

To pay you the compliments you're after
To give you the praise you crave

You'll hang your sad, aching head
You'll feel sad and unsatisfied

Behind a brittle smile or a shrill of laughter
You'll try to hide it with a fake smile or nervous laugh

What if we only get what we deserve?
What if we get what we earn?

Somehow I couldn't quite summon the nerve
I couldn't find the courage to say or do anything

Upon each anniversary
Each year when this day comes around

Then do you ever think of me?
Do you ever remember me?

Close the door, dim the lights, blow out the candles
Let's end this once and for all

So Happy Birthday again
Another year gone, another birthday alone

Close the door, dim the lights, blow out the candles
Let's say goodbye and move on

So Happy Birthday again
Happy Birthday without me

Close the door, dim the lights, blow out the candles
Let's close the book on this chapter and move on

So Happy Birthday again
Another year without you