This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
So this is where he came to hide
When he ran from you
In a private detective's overcoat
And dirty dead man's shoes
The pretty things of Knightsbridge
Lying for a minister of state
Is a far cry from the nod and wink
Here at traitor's gate
'Cause the high heel he used to be has been ground down
And he listens for the footsteps that would follow him around
To murder my love is a crime
But will you still love
A man out of time
There's a tuppeny hapenny millionaire
Looking for a fourpenny one
With a tight grip on the short hairs
Of the public imagination
But for his private wife and kids somehow
Real life becomes a rumor
Days of Dutch courage
Just three French letters and a German sense of humor
He's got a mind like a sewer and a heart like a fridge
He stands to be insulted and he pays for the privilege
To murder my love is a crime
But will you still love
A man out of time
The biggest wheels of industry
Retire sharp and short
And the after dinner overtures
Are nothing but an after thought
Somebody's creeping in the kitchen
There's a reputation to be made
Whose nerves are always on a knife's edge
Who's up late polishing the blade
Love is always scarpering or cowering or fawning
You drink yourself insensitive and hate yourself in the morning
To murder my love is a crime
But will you still love
A man out of time
Will you still love
A man out of time
Will you still love
A man out of time
When he ran from you
In a private detective's overcoat
And dirty dead man's shoes
The pretty things of Knightsbridge
Lying for a minister of state
Is a far cry from the nod and wink
Here at traitor's gate
'Cause the high heel he used to be has been ground down
And he listens for the footsteps that would follow him around
To murder my love is a crime
But will you still love
A man out of time
There's a tuppeny hapenny millionaire
Looking for a fourpenny one
With a tight grip on the short hairs
Of the public imagination
But for his private wife and kids somehow
Real life becomes a rumor
Days of Dutch courage
Just three French letters and a German sense of humor
He's got a mind like a sewer and a heart like a fridge
He stands to be insulted and he pays for the privilege
To murder my love is a crime
But will you still love
A man out of time
The biggest wheels of industry
Retire sharp and short
And the after dinner overtures
Are nothing but an after thought
Somebody's creeping in the kitchen
There's a reputation to be made
Whose nerves are always on a knife's edge
Who's up late polishing the blade
Love is always scarpering or cowering or fawning
You drink yourself insensitive and hate yourself in the morning
To murder my love is a crime
But will you still love
A man out of time
Will you still love
A man out of time
Will you still love
A man out of time
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
This is one of Elvis' most brilliant lyrics. That's saying a lot, he is an amazingly talented songwriter. The wordplay in this one still leaves me breathless, 25 or so years after it was released. "Whose nerves are always on a knife's edge Who's up late polishing the blade" There should be a medal awarded for that! This song seems to be a charecter study (like many of the songs on the essential masterpiece Imperial Bedroom) about a dried up shell of a man. He's dug his own grave for so long that there's nothing left to do but fall into it.
Straight from Elvis Costello in the liner notes of the 2002 Rhino reissue:
"Disgusted, disenchanted, and occasionally in love, "Man Out of Time" was the product of a troubling dialogue with myself that continued through my more regretful moments. I recall looking at my reflection in the frozen window of a Scandinavian tour bus without any idea who the hell I was supposed to be. I was trying to think or feel my way out of a defeated and exhausted frame of mind to something more glorious.
This was resolved in song, one shivering, hungover morning in the manicured gardens of a remote Scottish hotel. The house which we were staying had played a very minor part in one of Britain's most notorious political scandals, apparently serving briefly as a bolt-hole for one of the disgraced protagonists. I actually delighted at the thought of this sordid history; it suited my mood. I can't say that the words and ideas that emerged from these experiences were exactly welcome news to some of the band members. Like I could give a damn."
@ImperialBedroom
You drink yourself insensitive and hate yourself in the morning ...............................
Awesome !
How can people have not commented on this? I find that this song is so powerful, and is easily one of my favourite Costello songs. It's so relevant to me...
I'm with Zubby on this one.
But I will add a bit more. He's also accusing another person; a "man-eater"? Elvis levels lots of acid accusations in his songs. It probably has a lot to do with why, tho talented beyond the regular super pop star, he remains a cult figure.
But, in this regard, two images stick out: "So this is where he came to hide.": I'm your next fool, having run away to hide, just like your last poor sucker. I'm presuming the spiritual, psychological space I've run off to hide in is the same one your last beau had to run off to.
Finally, the bridge also hints at recrimination of his ex-love interest for abusing him: "To murder my love is a crime." A person can murder another person's love, IF THEY LET THEM. The person singing this song let this other person murder his love. I think he accepts blame for his passive role, but still wants to state his case. He has run out of time. Can he still find someone to love him? Is there hope in the promise of true love?
Lukasa said this song was so relevant to him/her. Really? My condolences. I hope you don't feel you're "out of time." This is a serious song, and, like Zubby said, this guy is pretty much ackowledging that he's botched it, perhaps terminally.
"he stands to be unsulted and he pays for the privilege"
a per usual with EC this is a pun - it has at least two meanings - MP's have to pay a deposit to stand in an election / paying a prostitute for physical abuse
It has always struck me as about a British politician embroiled in a sex scandal.
I heard that the chorus:-
"To murder my love is crime But will you still love A man out of time"
was in a love letter he wrote to Bebe Buell...
"Dutch courage" = acting brave while intoxicated. "French letters" = condoms. "German sense of humour" = Apparently Germans aren't known for having one.
It has always struck me as about a British politician embroiled in a sex scandal.