[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
Elvis Costello — Living In Paradise
Album: This Year's Model
Avg rating:
6.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 730









Released: 1978
Length: 3:46
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I don't like those other guys looking at your curves
I don't like you walking 'round with physical jerks
Everything they say and do is getting on my nerves
Soon they will be lucky to be picking up the perks

'Cause when they pull the shutters down and throw up in the dark
They'll find that all the dogs outside bite much worse than they bark

Here we are living in paradise, living in luxury
Oh, the thrill is here but it won't last long
You better have your fun before it moves along
And you're already looking for another fool like me

I call you Betty Felon 'cause you are a pretty villain
And I think that I should tell them that you'd make a pretty killin'
'Cause meanwhile up in heaven they are waiting at the gate
Saying, "We always knew you'd make it, didn't think you'd come this late"

And now it's much too dangerous to stop what you've begun
When everyone in paradise carries a gun

Here we are living in paradise, living in luxury
Oh, the thrill is here but it won't last long
You better have your fun before it moves along
And you're already looking for another fool like me

Later in the evening when arrangements are made
I'll be at the keyhole outside your bedroom door
'Cause I'm the first to know whenever the plans are laid
That never go further than floor to floor

You think that I don't know the boy that you're touching
But I'll be at the video and I will be watching

Here we are living in paradise
Here we are living in paradise
Here we are living in paradise
Here we are living in paradise, living in luxury
Oh, the thrill is here but it won't last long
You better have your fun before it moves along
And you're already looking for another fool like me
And you're already looking for another fool like me
And you're already looking for another fool like me
And you're already looking for another fool like me
And you're already looking for another fool like me
And you're already looking for another fool like me
Comments (57)add comment
Can't help myself but that all sounds somehow the same.  Maybe it's because I don't like his music.
Jeez!!! He’s so freaking versatile and unique! Saw him open for Paul Simon a few years back here in Detroit area….WOW!! What a night!! 
He’s iconic, talented, and an inspiring, prolific musician!
 Edweirdo wrote:

Fantastic song; brilliant playing and production; killer lyrics.  What more do you want? A herd of rainbow unicorns?


Can I have an appreciation of Elvis Costello AND a herd of rainbow Unicorns ?  Can I Please??
 Stefan_Lutz wrote:

Please allow me to understand what makes this worthy of a recording contract. Please?


Fantastic song; brilliant playing and production; killer lyrics.  What more do you want? A herd of rainbow unicorns?
have to say I've spent too much time inside during a beautiful day - but the music has saved me from leaving my 'need to do's and saying 'f--- it'. this is a reminder of why I listen while doing things that i'd rather not
 Stefan_Lutz wrote:

So poor, so awful, I’m using the skip for this one.




Thanks for letting us know. 
You do know hes married to Diana Krall, the Jazz singer/pianist.
I think it´s interesting that when this came out I was in another musical world (teen boy, rock radio) and didn´t give this a second listen. Now, more than 40 years later(!) I actually appreciate it´s nuances, both lyrical and musical.  Saw Elvis a few years ago in NY with the Roots - great show!  Funny how those edgy weird punks become elder statesmen... 
You know, it's hard to imagine, but there was a time when Elvis was punk, and edgy.
So poor, so awful, I’m using the skip for this one.

'Cause meanwhile up in heaven they are waiting at the gate
Saying, "We always knew you'd make it, didn't think you'd come this late"
 below72 wrote:
Now - Elvis is a country singer...
Go figure. Costello and Presley ended up in the same garden.{#Surprised}

 

Path of least resistance, least innovation. Old dogs limited to old tricks. I don't like country, you guessed? :)
 Angry_Old_Man wrote:
Zzzzz.......

 
esty!
Deep track from a great album!
N.O.P.E.
Zzzzz.......
 Stefan_Lutz wrote:
Please allow me to understand what makes this worthy of a recording contract. Please?

 
No one is disallowing you from understanding, you are probably just refusing to do so.  Anyhow, your request is about forty years too late.
 kingart wrote:

Umm, pretty good lyrics?  

 
And a great catchy tune... 

 
 Stefan_Lutz wrote:
Please allow me to understand what makes this worthy of a recording contract. Please?

 
Umm, pretty good lyrics?  
Living in Paradise? Does Elvis bump into Bill and Rebecca at the market or coffee shop?
Please allow me to understand what makes this worthy of a recording contract. Please?
 pfreet wrote:
Great remeinder of what a tight band the Attractions were

 
{#Yes}

My brother pointed out that you can't really expect the current Elvis to write songs like this (he was 33-34, he's 62 now) but it'd be nice if he gave it the ol' college try once in a while. 
Now - Elvis is a country singer...
Go figure. Costello and Presley ended up in the same garden.{#Surprised}

 stalfnzo wrote:
Saw Elvis at Hollywood High back in the '70s. Drunk girl wearing a leopard skin body suit passed out at the front entrance. Great concert.

 
Mom?
Is this about the radio station itself?
 stalfnzo wrote:
Saw Elvis at Hollywood High back in the '70s. Drunk girl wearing a leopard skin body suit passed out at the front entrance. Great concert.

 
You should write concert reviews. I really did laugh out loud when I read your comment. What a visual....
Excellent! One of my all time favorite albums from this amazing artist.
Saw Elvis at Hollywood High back in the '70s. Drunk girl wearing a leopard skin body suit passed out at the front entrance. Great concert.
Please make it stop!
Great remeinder of what a tight band the Attractions were
There's No Action!
 twcarlin wrote:
A great song from an absolutely astounding album. Costellos first 3 albums were New Wave Pop magic.
 
Well said...true that except this song.
Love him but certainly not his best...
 daveesh wrote:
this album is a masterpiece.

 

Absolutely !!
 
 wgsu_1978 wrote:
EC at his snarky best.
 
{#Clap}
EC at his snarky best.
this album is a masterpiece.
I miss this Elvis so bad. 
Wearing his heart on his sleeve, and all his remarks are off the cuff. 
FIRST COMMENT IN 4 MONTHS?!?

Sorry, I couldn't resist.  Love that bass guitar! 
 upgal wrote:

I can tell you why, no noticible talent.  and he is played way too often.  even worse was CAKE.  so much good stuff is played tho. 

 
So upgal rates multiple songs by these four artists as a 1.  You can all get a handle on what she doesn't like:

Leonard Cohen, U2, the Clash and Elvis Costello.

Obviously I disagree massively on all 4. 
1ST COMMENT IN 4 YEARS?!?

Still a nice song.
Costello's first few albums can more than compete with just about anything else out there.
 lophrequa wrote:

why does everything from this man irritate me? it's not the voice, it's just the whole thing, the entire catalog. i don't know why.

 
I can tell you why, no noticible talent.  and he is played way too often.  even worse was CAKE.  so much good stuff is played tho. 


A great song from an absolutely astounding album. Costellos first 3 albums were New Wave Pop magic.

 Chi_Guy wrote:
{#Dancingbanana}{#Bananajam}The ONLY Elvis that counts!
 

{#Yes}
For me, it's his voice - it sounds so forced.  No sir, I don't like it.
Not the original version, but tasty indeed.
 lophrequa wrote:

why does everything from this man irritate me? it's not the voice, it's just the whole thing, the entire catalog. i don't know why.

 
I thought I was the only one.  If I had a nemesis he would be it.


why does everything from this man irritate me? it's not the voice, it's just the whole thing, the entire catalog. i don't know why.

This song has one of the best basslines ever...... It smokes!!
 frednic wrote:
We better live it up here in paradise while we still can.
 
You've got that right! {#Cowboy}
Living in Paradise on Radio Paradise...a coincidence, I don't think so.{#Bounce}
We better live it up here in paradise while we still can.
One of my very favorite artists, but not one of my very favorite tracks of his. Still, EC's mediocrities surpass most artists' very best. And this track has some very tasty bass playing by the Attractions' Bruce Thomas (my all-time fave bass player)
{#Dancingbanana}{#Bananajam}The ONLY Elvis that counts!
Really...I'm first. Well then

WTMECORP
5