Song of the Day #1,766: ‘Motel Matches (Live)’ – Elvis Costello

goodbyecruelwordFrom one of the reissues of Elvis Costello’s Goodbye Cruel World comes this live rendition of a standout track from a much better album, Get Happy!

In an uncharacteristically brief mention in the album’s liner notes, Costello explains that today’s track — along with a few others — was recorded during his first-ever solo tour.

Somewhere in the distance I can hear “Who Shot Sam?”
This is my conviction, that I am an innocent man
Though you say I’m unkind
I’m being as nice as I can

Boys everywhere, fumbling with the catches
I struck lucky with motel matches
Falling for you without a second look
Falling out of your open pocketbook
Giving you away like motel matches

I wake with the siren in an emergency
Though your mind is full of love
In your eyes there is a vacancy
And you know what I’ll do
When the light outside changes from red to blue

Boys everywhere, fumbling with the catches
I struck lucky with motel matches
Falling for you without a second look
Falling out of your open pocketbook
Giving you away like motel matches

One thought on “Song of the Day #1,766: ‘Motel Matches (Live)’ – Elvis Costello

  1. Dana says:

    Haven’t heard this version before. Nice.

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