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Elvis Costello — Complicated Shadows
Album: Secret, Profane and Sugarcane
Avg rating:
6.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 379









Released: 2009
Length: 2:47
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Well you know your time has come and you're sorry for what you've done
You should've never have been playing with a gun
In those Complicated Shadows
Well there's a line that you must toe
and it'll soon be time to go
but it's darker than you know in those Complicated Shadows

All you gangsters and rude clowns
Who were shooting up the town
When you should have found someone to put the blame on
Though the fury's hot and hard
I still see that cold graveyard
There's a solitary stone that's got your name on

You don't have to take it from me
But I know what I spake
You think you're like iron and steel
But iron and steel will bend and break
In those Complicated Shadows

Go!

Sometimes justice you will find
Is just dumb not colour-blind
And your poor shattered mind can't take it all in
All those phantoms and those shades
Should Jump up on Judgement Day
And say to the Almighty "I'm still stinking of sin"

But the jury was dismissed
Took his neck and they give it a twist
So you see you won't be missed in those Complicated Shadows

You can say just what you like in a voice like a John Ford film
Take the law into your hands
You will soon get tired of killing
In those Complicated Shadows
Complicated Shadows
Complicated Shadows
Complicated Shadows

Go!
Comments (50)add comment
wow wow so amazing (I was gonna post the "f" word) but so good RP.
 Shesdifferent wrote:

Don't mind EC but hate the country hick sound



Love 'em both!!
I hear a bit of Corb Lund in this western style delivery. Very cool Declan. Glad Some of the Alberta style is migrating east and west.
Haters gotta hate. 1 for the overwrought vocal stylings.
Don't mind EC but hate the country hick sound
Like Radiohead I believe he is very-very much overrated!
Not that he is bad!
Did not say so!

SR
I have always, and will always, love Elvis Costello.  He does the best snap-and-snarl vocals ever.
I think it has to do with the fact that he is as big a fan as an artist. It's probably easier to keep the artistic juices when you have a love affair with the art form. You would think that would be the rule rather than the exception for artisits of Elvis's caliber, but I'm not so sure that is the case.

sirdroseph wrote:
Good stuff!! Elvis is one of those rare artists that has remained relevant through his entire career!!{#Cheers}
 


Good stuff!! Elvis is one of those rare artists that has remained relevant through his entire career!!{#Cheers}
I can put up with his voice now that it's old and croaky.
Wisecrowe wrote:
I dig the album cover and title but the song, eh?
That illustration is by Tony Millionaire, the guy who does the weekly MAAKIES comic strip. He is a really skilled old school draftsman, with a love of architectural proportion. The comic is pretty uneven and can be crude, but occasionally sublime. I like the song as well. Jerry Douglas on the Dobro in this version.


Elvis Costello has been seriously underrated/underplayed ~ thanks again Bill
Still haven't totally gotten into this album (of course I own it) but the song sounds good in context of Radio Paradise. Thanks for playing Elvis Costello for me!
 jkolin wrote:
This was originally on his "All This Useless Beauty" album.  I think that version was better.
 

I agree, but this is pretty good too. But yeah, you're right. In fact, after listening to this whole version...you're VERY right.

I dig the album cover and title but the song, eh?
Great, what a man! {#Dancingbanana}
Funny how I didn't like Elvis Costello at first and how his music grows on me. I really like this one!
Was never much of an Elvis Costello fan, but I really love this record. Been enjoying his show on Sundance as well.
 namp wrote:
I wonder how this untalented guy is so highly ranked...
 
When you consider his place in rock history, and the fact that he continually reinvents his style (compare this song to this) it does garner some respect.  His music during the era of My Aim is True and Armed Forces, etc. was groundbreaking and helped usher in New Wave.   I'm hot and cold on Elvis.  For instance I have a real love hate relationship with this CD.  Borrowed it from my local library to see if I'd like it.  It's slowly growing on me.

I wonder how this untalented guy is so highly ranked...
So is that E C or David Essex? 8
 jkolin wrote:
This was originally on his "All This Useless Beauty" album.  I think that version was better.
 
Thank you - I knew I recognized this, although I don't have this album.

 papaman wrote:
I know there is a balance to everything in life.  So in order to get the copious helpings of Neko Case on RP I have to endure extensive abuse by way of Elve Costello.  Such is life.

 
Wait, what?

I know there is a balance to everything in life.  So in order to get the copious helpings of Neko Case on RP I have to endure extensive abuse by way of Elve Costello.  Such is life.

This song can grow on you, I like it! Have always been an Elvis Costello fan, love his originality and this time he captured the Americana genre. A bonus for me and my wife is her cousin Jim Lauderdale sings harmony with him. 


 lemmoth wrote:

....coming into his own.  After 30 years......of being one of the most important singer songwriter's of all time... Yeah  right!!!!

 
Be serious.  A group of monkeys living in a studio for 30 years will eventually create something good by this same accident. 


Good lyrics.

Am I enjoying a Costello song?  What the..... ?


He sounds like Jim Kweskin.  And thus, the better for it.
such a great songwriter!
Go back to sleep EC
Never was much of an Elvis Costello fan, but I'm really liking his new one. I see another CD purchase in my future.

Been enjoying his show too, but it always seems to be reruns. Anyone know if he's doing Spectacle anymore?
This song (possibly a more plugged-in version) was used on the Sopranos.
Nice!
Elvis and/or Jethro Tull should never do blues-never.
This is by far the best Elvis Costello I've heard on RP.
 toterola wrote:
T-Bone Burnett strikes again! This is a great song, and a great album. Elvis is coming into his own as an iconic artist. {#Clap}
 
....coming into his own.  After 30 years......of being one of the most important singer songwriter's of all time... Yeah  right!!!!

Would definitely like to hear this one some more!
One of my favorite these days!{#Dancingbanana}
Not bad, guys ! Not bad!
that's just joined my albums to buy list.
This is much cooler than the first one I think
awesome
Still too much Elvis in this song for my taste...
I've always been rather lukewarm concerning Elvis Costello, but this one is pretty catchy. His singing is even getting tolerable.

Blimey: that was Elvis Costello?  He's learned to sing?!!  Great stuff.
cool ! :D
T-Bone Burnett strikes again! This is a great song, and a great album. Elvis is coming into his own as an iconic artist. {#Clap}
This is great!
This was originally on his "All This Useless Beauty" album.  I think that version was better.
excellent, vocals, slide, good stuff.
I absolutely love this (although it reminds me slightly of an old Ron (not Ray) Davies song called "It Ain't Easy"
Elvis hasn't sounded this good in a long time......Maybe it's T-Bones influence
I give it a 9