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

Your rating:
Total ratings: 381









Released: 2009
Length: 2:48
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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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 (49)add comment
 Shesdifferent wrote:

Don't mind EC but hate the country hick sound



Love 'em both!!
Posted 3 years ago by alux    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 3 years ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]
Haters gotta hate. 1 for the overwrought vocal stylings.
Posted 14 years ago by FlatCat    [ Reply ]
Don't mind EC but hate the country hick sound
Posted 14 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Like Radiohead I believe he is very-very much overrated!
Not that he is bad!
Did not say so!

SR
Posted 14 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
I have always, and will always, love Elvis Costello.  He does the best snap-and-snarl vocals ever.
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
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}
 


Posted 14 years ago by bbryan    [ Reply ]
Good stuff!! Elvis is one of those rare artists that has remained relevant through his entire career!!{#Cheers}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
I can put up with his voice now that it's old and croaky.
Posted 14 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
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.


Posted 14 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
Elvis Costello has been seriously underrated/underplayed ~ thanks again Bill
Posted 14 years ago by peacockangel    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 14 years ago by MoreElvCostello    [ Reply ]
 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.

Posted 14 years ago by SweTex    [ Reply ]
I dig the album cover and title but the song, eh?
Posted 14 years ago by Wisecrowe    [ Reply ]
Great, what a man! {#Dancingbanana}
Posted 15 years ago by nalle    [ Reply ]
Funny how I didn't like Elvis Costello at first and how his music grows on me. I really like this one!
Posted 15 years ago by ambrebalte    [ Reply ]
Was never much of an Elvis Costello fan, but I really love this record. Been enjoying his show on Sundance as well.
Posted 15 years ago by Marley    [ Reply ]
 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.

Posted 15 years ago by justlistening    [ Reply ]
I wonder how this untalented guy is so highly ranked...
Posted 15 years ago by namp    [ Reply ]
So is that E C or David Essex? 8
Posted 15 years ago by gumbo73039    [ Reply ]
 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.

Posted 15 years ago by Shimmer    [ Reply ]
 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?

Posted 15 years ago by Fredrikson    [ Reply ]
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.

Posted 15 years ago by papaman    [ Reply ]

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. 


Posted 15 years ago by wirefixer    [ Reply ]
 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. 


Posted 15 years ago by spigolli    [ Reply ]

Good lyrics.

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


Posted 15 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
He sounds like Jim Kweskin.  And thus, the better for it.
Posted 15 years ago by Govi    [ Reply ]
such a great songwriter!
Posted 15 years ago by bobcat1963    [ Reply ]
Go back to sleep EC
Posted 15 years ago by mrdak    [ Reply ]
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?
Posted 15 years ago by Marley    [ Reply ]
This song (possibly a more plugged-in version) was used on the Sopranos.
Posted 15 years ago by BostonGameDev    [ Reply ]
Nice!
Posted 15 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
Elvis and/or Jethro Tull should never do blues-never.
Posted 15 years ago by skyguy    [ Reply ]
This is by far the best Elvis Costello I've heard on RP.
Posted 15 years ago by Otomi    [ Reply ]
 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!!!!

Posted 15 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Would definitely like to hear this one some more!
Posted 15 years ago by paulmack    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite these days!{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 15 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
Not bad, guys ! Not bad!
Posted 15 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
that's just joined my albums to buy list.
Posted 15 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit    [ Reply ]
This is much cooler than the first one I think
awesome
Posted 15 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
Still too much Elvis in this song for my taste...
Posted 15 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
I've always been rather lukewarm concerning Elvis Costello, but this one is pretty catchy. His singing is even getting tolerable.

Posted 15 years ago by sharkartist    [ Reply ]
Blimey: that was Elvis Costello?  He's learned to sing?!!  Great stuff.
Posted 15 years ago by lawman    [ Reply ]
cool ! :D
Posted 15 years ago by gorgi    [ Reply ]
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}
Posted 15 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
This is great!
Posted 15 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
This was originally on his "All This Useless Beauty" album.  I think that version was better.
Posted 15 years ago by jkolin    [ Reply ]
excellent, vocals, slide, good stuff.
Posted 15 years ago by dBdwg    [ Reply ]
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
Posted 15 years ago by glydev    [ Reply ]