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Elvis Costello — Veronica
Album: Spike
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 818









Released: 1989
Length: 3:02
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Is it all in that pretty little head of yours?
What goes on in that place in the dark?
Well, I used to know a girl
And I could have sworn
That her name was Veronica
Well, she used to have
A carefree mind of her own
And a delicate look in her eye
These days, I'm afraid
She's not even sure
If her name is Veronica

Do you suppose that waiting hands on eyes
Veronica has gone to hide?
And all the time she laughs at those
Who shout her name and steal her clothes
Veronica
Veronica
Veronica, Veronica

Did her days drag by, did the favors wane?
Did he roam down the town all the while?
Will you wake from your dream
With a wolf at the door
Reaching out for Veronica?
Well, it was all of 65 years ago
When the world was the street
Where she lived
And a young man sailed
On a ship in the sea
With a picture of Veronica

On the ''Empress of India''
And as she closed her eyes upon the world
And picked upon the bones of last week's news
She spoke his name out loud again

Do you suppose that waiting hands on eyes
Veronica has gone to hide?
And all the time she laughs at those
Who shout her name and steal her clothes
Veronica
Veronica
Veronica, Veronica

Veronica sits in the favorite chair
She sits very quiet and still
And they call her a name
That they never get right
And if they don't, then nobody else will
But she used to have
A carefree mind of her own
With devilish look in her eye
Saying, "You can call me
Anything you like
But my name is Veronica"

Do you suppose that waiting hands on eyes
Veronica has gone to hide?
And all the time she laughs at those
Who shout her name and steal her clothes
Veronica
Veronica
Oh, oh
Veronica
Comments (107)add comment
Is it a smart song like Elvis would write? Yes.
Does it have the McCartney pep? Yes.
Are the musicians talented? Yes

But, it just doesn't fuse into a great tune. It's pretty annoying.
Posted 6 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:

Why not be happy that you're still alive and lucid enough to comprehend that fact? You might even enjoy the song along with it. 

 
Yes, indeed, but I only said the that it's "somewhat depressing" that this song is 25 years old, I didn't say it was "cripplingly depressing."
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Yes, Bill, please make this guy stop listening, (and commenting), by playing more Elvis Costello! 
Stefan_Lutz wrote:
Bill please make it stop!

 


Posted 7 years ago by Wilfrue    [ Reply ]
Bill please make it stop!
Posted 7 years ago by Stefan_Lutz    [ Reply ]
Elvis' first Album on Warner Bros
Posted 8 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
Declan Patrick MacManus is a songwriter that deserves to be mentioned in the same conversation with George Gershwin and Paul McCartney (who helped him write his song), This song was the most erudite, clever explanation of what my grandmother was going through WHILE she was going through it. Veronica sits in her favorite chair. That someone would even write a song about dementia makes Elvis better than most. Brilliant.


Posted 8 years ago by copymonkey    [ Reply ]
 Stefan_Lutz wrote:
Please make it stop! 

 
Nah... Let it rip!
Posted 8 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]
Please make it stop! 
Posted 8 years ago by Stefan_Lutz    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:

Why not be happy that you're still alive and lucid enough to comprehend that fact? You might even enjoy the song along with it. 

 
Chill!
Posted 8 years ago by tkosh    [ Reply ]
Some days I enjoy nothing better than taking a nice bubble bath, wrapping myself in a kimono, and doing my nails.
Posted 8 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

It's somewhat depressing to realize that this song is actually 25 years old.

 
Why not be happy that you're still alive and lucid enough to comprehend that fact? You might even enjoy the song along with it. 
Posted 9 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]


Ver-on-i-caaaa


Posted 9 years ago by zepher    [ Reply ]
 RPJunkie wrote:
Near perfection.
Might be my favorite song of the last 25 years.

 
It's somewhat depressing to realize that this song is actually 25 years old.
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
A true king of punk and pop.
Posted 10 years ago by Wizzo_oz    [ Reply ]
cover art ......{#Lol}{#Clap}
Posted 10 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
Near perfection.
Might be my favorite song of the last 25 years.
Posted 10 years ago by RPJunkie    [ Reply ]
Beautiful song.  I believe there's an "acoustic" alternate lyric version on the Rhino expanded edition of Spike.  The video is also excellent.  
Posted 11 years ago by hencini    [ Reply ]
 casey1024 wrote:

If there is such a thing.  This song makes me miss my Mom - her name was Claire.  She left us long before she passed away...

 
So sorry casey1024...I know the feeling and share it with you about my own mom.
Posted 11 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
VERONI-kuhhh. ugh, no thanks. Once again E.C. brings nothing to the table.
Posted 11 years ago by BikeCoachDave    [ Reply ]
The name of the next hurricane in December?

 
Posted 11 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
 Roverfish wrote:
Hands down my all-time favorite Alzheimer tune. Truly outstanding.
 

{#Yes} Oneother nominee God Knows I'm Good by Bowie
Posted 11 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
 midigitguy wrote:
Score a ten for a perfect pop song
 
{#High-five}
Posted 11 years ago by mindless    [ Reply ]
Great song from a forgotten, but still great, album.
Posted 12 years ago by GuiltyFeat    [ Reply ]
Love it !
Posted 12 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
we used to use this as a warmup tune...
brilliant!

Posted 12 years ago by MiracleDrug    [ Reply ]
Score a ten for a perfect pop song
Posted 12 years ago by midigitguy    [ Reply ]
Brilliant!
Posted 12 years ago by lshinkawa    [ Reply ]
Nice pick, Bill. My oldest sister's name. Life hasn't been always kind to her, but she still trudges on. Pretty much like the rest of us, huh?
Posted 12 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
 LowPhreak wrote:
ICK. Never liked this one from Costello.
 

That's so funny, because just before clicking on the comments, I was thinking how this was one of my favorite Elvis Costella songs.  Oh well!
Posted 13 years ago by tkosh    [ Reply ]
 LowPhreak wrote:
ICK. Never liked this one from Costello.
 
strange how tastes differ. i was never much into costello, but this is my favourite one...;-)

Posted 13 years ago by burkie    [ Reply ]
ICK. Never liked this one from Costello.
Posted 13 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:
Elvis and Sir Paul wrote this about Elvis's grandmother, who was sinking into dementia.
 

never knew that...puts a whole different spin on it for me now.
Posted 13 years ago by Rooney    [ Reply ]
This could be the 1950s.
Posted 13 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
Sort of a punk Hollies...

Posted 13 years ago by Jeff09    [ Reply ]
 bronorb wrote:
I like Elvis Costello, But I despise this song.
 
I had a hard time with this song when it came out... It didn't seem in the league of his great first 3 albums. I kinda like it now, though.

Posted 13 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
I love Elvis Costello and I like this song quite a bit.
Posted 14 years ago by Rick_V    [ Reply ]
 wrangler wrote:
i despise elvis costello.  but i like this song.
 

I like Elvis Costello, But I despise this song.
Posted 14 years ago by bronorb    [ Reply ]
 wrangler wrote:
i despise elvis costello.  but i like this song.
 
{#Yes}

Posted 14 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
 kaosmonkey wrote:
This video made me cry when I was a kid...actually, I think I was a teenager. What can I say? It really touched me.
 

Me too. Especially since my Granny was fading fast. Her last 10 years alive not knowing anyone or anything. I always wondered if it was peaceful or torture for her.
Posted 14 years ago by copymonkey    [ Reply ]
I like Rose Kennedy by Rasputina. But Veronica is a close second!

 Roverfish wrote:
Hands down my all-time favorite Alzheimer tune. Truly outstanding.
 


Posted 14 years ago by songbirdfemme    [ Reply ]
 Roverfish wrote:
Hands down my all-time favorite Alzheimer tune. Truly outstanding.
 
If there is such a thing.  This song makes me miss my Mom - her name was Claire.  She left us long before she passed away...

Posted 15 years ago by casey1024    [ Reply ]
 holborne wrote:
In my opinion, this is one of his weaker albums, but I think this is a great pop song.
 
Yep, easily the weakest from this period - but still a really nice song with the usual perfection from The Attractions.

Posted 15 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
i despise elvis costello.  but i like this song.
Posted 15 years ago by wrangler    [ Reply ]
In my opinion, this is one of his weaker albums, but I think this is a great pop song.
Posted 15 years ago by holborne    [ Reply ]
horstman wrote:
Elvis had such a great talent in his early years and then we get this crap. Such a waste.
Dude, it's called maturing.


Posted 15 years ago by TanteJensen    [ Reply ]
elvis is king
{#Crown}

Posted 15 years ago by bobcat1963    [ Reply ]
 Roverfish wrote:
Hands down my all-time favorite Alzheimer tune. Truly outstanding.

 

That's what I used to think.  I think?
Posted 15 years ago by Ulises    [ Reply ]
This video made me cry when I was a kid...actually, I think I was a teenager. What can I say? It really touched me.
Posted 15 years ago by kaosmonkey    [ Reply ]
Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
pop genius(es)
100% agree!
Posted 15 years ago by Captain-Fishy    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by geoffgeoffrey    [ Reply ]
Hands down my all-time favorite Alzheimer tune. Truly outstanding.
Posted 16 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
Wow, I was scrolling down to see all the negative flames about this song and saw mine the (hopefully!) last time this was played. Elvis had such a great talent in his early years and then we get this crap. Such a waste. Give me This Years Model, so much miss the angry man and his rantings. Made for such an entertaining artist.
Posted 16 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
Luna2 wrote:
So Good. Like gummy bears & Mt Dew for lunch
That might be the most disturbing visual of the day.
Posted 16 years ago by drtjdel    [ Reply ]
dixiedeb wrote:
I love anything he does.
I hate almost everything he's done since Armed Forces.
Posted 16 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
pop genius(es)
Posted 16 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
I remember the music video to this....was sweet and touching about the old lady thinking back on her life
Posted 17 years ago by Fiji5555    [ Reply ]
I love anything he does.
Posted 17 years ago by dixiedeb    [ Reply ]
One of the few songs where the harmony is just as important as the melody - they HAVE to be together. The only other song I can think of like that is "If I Fell" which shares a songwriter with this one. :)
Posted 17 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
meydele wrote:
I have a slightly different version of this song. . . Love it. Love this one too. Anyone know where an alternate take might have come from?
I have a bootleg demo that's just him and Paul (there's also tracks of them figuing out "My Brave Face" and "I Know that You Want Her Too." Other than that...I dunno. TJ
Posted 17 years ago by TJOpootertoot    [ Reply ]
I have a slightly different version of this song. . . Love it. Love this one too. Anyone know where an alternate take might have come from?
Posted 17 years ago by meydele    [ Reply ]
This is what all Pop music should sound like. co-written by Sir Paul by the way.
Posted 17 years ago by wally42    [ Reply ]
Elvis and Sir Paul wrote this about Elvis's grandmother, who was sinking into dementia.
Posted 17 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Next time play Oliver's Army ...
Posted 17 years ago by timrd    [ Reply ]
I've completely reversed my opinion of this song. I'm bumping my rating to an 8.
Posted 17 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
A great song. No doubt about it.
Posted 17 years ago by Rickvee    [ Reply ]
sweet glasses dude. not a big fan.
Posted 17 years ago by toddschmutz    [ Reply ]
MinMan wrote:
reminds me of what a pitty it is that we were never afforded the opportunity to refer to "John Lennon OBE". Then again, He may not have been one to accept such a title.
Lennon, along with the other Beatles, was given an MBE back in 1965. This was one of Prime Minister Harold Wilson's publicity stunts to stress the youthfulness and dynamism of his new Labour government after the Tory gerentocracy - Wilson gave honours out to sports people at the same time. Lennon returned his MBE in November 1969 as a symbolic protest over the UK's support role in Biafra and its failure to condemn the US's military involvement in Vietnam. Honours in the UK are really just about publicity and PR - there is no dignity involved, and everyone knows deep down that they are a pile of tack. I'm just glad that Lennon used his to make a statement.
Posted 17 years ago by Pazzat    [ Reply ]
WonderLizard wrote:
Sir Paul also plays bass on it.
reminds me of what a pitty it is that we were never afforded the opportunity to refer to "John Lennon OBE". Then again, He may not have been one to accept such a title.
Posted 17 years ago by MinMan    [ Reply ]
pianocomposer wrote:
This song was co-written by Paul McCartney. I'm not kidding. It gets a 10 from me b/c it is beautifully written in both melody and words.
Sir Paul also plays bass on it.
Posted 17 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
This song was co-written by Paul McCartney. I'm not kidding. It gets a 10 from me b/c it is beautifully written in both melody and words.
Posted 17 years ago by pianocomposer    [ Reply ]
I never paid any attention to this song. I never listened to the words, and thus passed it off as a girlfriend song and evidence that EC still created bouncy melodies to play with. It wasn't until I heard it here (and on headphones for probably the first time) and read the comments that I even knew what it was about. Leave it to EC to bury such serious thoughts and emotions within such a pop cloak. It definately reinforces my opinion regarding his songwriting.
Posted 17 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
Quatsch!
Posted 17 years ago by highwindows    [ Reply ]
Zygomatic wrote:
The song is about his grandmother, her worsening senility, and the memory of her past. It got airplay because it was well written.
As my mom sinks further into Alzheimer's, this becomes more and more poignant.
Posted 17 years ago by Zarba    [ Reply ]
My brother had this cassingle...i'm ruined from overexposure, methinks.
Posted 17 years ago by flyfree    [ Reply ]
I love it!
Posted 17 years ago by glassjawgrlxxx    [ Reply ]
One of the few songs I like by this band.
Posted 18 years ago by wade44    [ Reply ]
not diggin' elvis
Posted 18 years ago by nick_valensi    [ Reply ]
Zygomatic wrote:
She used to have a carefree mind of her own and a devilish look in her eye. These days I'm afraid she's not even sure that her name is Veronica. MY GOD what a wonderful song. I remember this getting a bit of play on MTV years ago.
Amazing, great song!
Posted 18 years ago by babygirl614    [ Reply ]
I never knew this song was about his grandmother. The way the lyrics are written and the passion in his voice let me know there was a personal link for him in this song. Learning the back story makes it an even better song to me.
Posted 18 years ago by cattgirl813    [ Reply ]
My step-grandfather was a Professor of family studies. If I recall, he used to play the video for this song for his intro class when they talked about aging and senility.
Posted 18 years ago by Harlan879    [ Reply ]
deceptively simple. genius.
Posted 18 years ago by rosedraws    [ Reply ]
So Good. Like gummy bears & Mt Dew for lunch
Posted 18 years ago by Luna2    [ Reply ]
Zygomatic wrote:
The song is about his grandmother, her worsening senility, and the memory of her past. It got airplay because it was well written.
Knowing that bit of information really improves my opinion of this song quite a lot. Unfortunately, EC made the bizarre choice to bury his vocal so thoroughly that I can only pick up fragments of what he's saying, even now that I know what the song is about. About 50% of it sounds like gibberish, which is probably a shame.
Posted 18 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
Pop Perfection.
Posted 18 years ago by Eagan    [ Reply ]
As Neil Young sings "a piece of crap" (is this guy). MEDIOCRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 18 years ago by pvcnote    [ Reply ]
Can you hear Sir Paul in this co-written song? Elvis loved his grannie: he wrote this song for her as she sank into senility.
Posted 18 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Costello's whiny voice has always irritated me, but for some reason, this song was even worse. Too bad he's popular. :-(
Posted 18 years ago by Govi    [ Reply ]
Art_Carnage wrote:
I've always liked Costello, but think this bit of pop triffle is way below him.
The song is about his grandmother, her worsening senility, and the memory of her past. It got airplay because it was well written.
Posted 18 years ago by Zygomatic    [ Reply ]
She used to have a carefree mind of her own and a devilish look in her eye. These days I'm afraid she's not even sure that her name is Veronica. MY GOD what a wonderful song. I remember this getting a bit of play on MTV years ago.
Posted 18 years ago by Zygomatic    [ Reply ]
This is a great tune which is catchy!
Posted 18 years ago by Drunkenlilacwine    [ Reply ]
...and that was also because the radio station with the name Veronica played it a lot ;)
Posted 18 years ago by lunar1963    [ Reply ]
Cyclehawk wrote:
Great to hear some of these lesser-known cuts.
Lesser known? IIRC this was a (hit-)single with lots and lots of airplay (at least over here in the Netherlands)
Posted 18 years ago by ce    [ Reply ]
Costello is one of the kings for sure... S.
Posted 18 years ago by Sean-E-Sean    [ Reply ]
Art_Carnage wrote:
I've always liked Costello, but think this bit of pop triffle is way below him.
Nothing wrong with a little triffle pop on occasion. But for some reason, this sounds speeded up even more than I remember it. Must be me?
Posted 19 years ago by radiojunkie    [ Reply ]
Great to hear some of these lesser-known cuts. Had this on vinyl, so it's been a while since I heard it. Thanks to whomever uploaded it.
Posted 19 years ago by Cyclehawk    [ Reply ]
I've always liked Costello, but think this bit of pop triffle is way below him.
Posted 19 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
kars wrote:
Ditto in general. I too have always really liked this particular song about his grandmother (I believe).
Yes, believe I read somewhere that this song was, in fact, about his own grandmother.
Posted 19 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
The_Pest wrote:
Normally I don't like Elvis Costello , maybe I'm the only one? But this fun to hear .
Ditto in general. I too have always really liked this particular song about his grandmother (I believe).
Posted 19 years ago by kars    [ Reply ]
I've loved this song since I first saw the video on MTV as a kid.
Posted 20 years ago by Zygomatic    [ Reply ]
Normally I don't like Elvis Costello , maybe I'm the only one? But this fun to hear .
Posted 20 years ago by The_Pest    [ Reply ]
jayladdin wrote:
Hooray! Elvis Costello + Paul McCartney = poppy goodness!
Heh heh heh... I believe "poppy goodness" is what Dorothy and friends "suffered" from at the hands of that green witchy woman in some land called Oz.... Oh yeah, I like this song very much!
Posted 20 years ago by skindy    [ Reply ]
Hooray! Elvis Costello + Paul McCartney = poppy goodness!
Posted 20 years ago by jayladdin    [ Reply ]
One of EC's most pop-like ditties. The title "girl" suffers from alzheimers. You just knew there had to be a dark side to this upbeat tune.
Posted 20 years ago by Soul_of_Wit    [ Reply ]
I think this may have been the first EC tune I ever heard, over on KOTR in SLO, CA... Always liked it.
Posted 20 years ago by TheLoneIguana    [ Reply ]
Good tune, but probably the only Elvis C song that I hear. Someone upload some deeper cuts for Bill!
Posted 20 years ago by FeatFanMike    [ Reply ]
One of Elvis\' finest collaborations...which is saying alot since he\'s \"played well with others\" so frequently. I wanna hear some Bacharach/Costello now!
Posted 21 years ago by rji3m    [ Reply ]
He was good back then, but he\'s even better now.
Posted 21 years ago by sd    [ Reply ]