The Random iTunes Fairy got cute today, serving up a second helping of Elvis Costello after yesterday’s belly-aching about not finding enough time to listen to all of his music.
She even went straight to one my favorite Costello albums, the sublime King of America, zeroing in on one of its signature sad ballads.
‘Indoor Fireworks’ is a mournful tale of a dissolving love affair. It utilizes a provocative metaphor that should be served up by cool English teachers everywhere.
We play at make believe
When we get to the part where I say that I’m going to leave
Everybody loves a happy ending but we don’t even try
We go straight past pretending
To the part where everybody loves to cry
Chorus:
Indoor fireworks
Can still burn your fingers
Indoor fireworks
We swore we were safe as houses
They’re not so spectacular
They don’t burn up in the sky
But they can dazzle or delight
Or bring a tear
When the smoke gets in your eyes
You were the spice of life
The gin in my vermouth
And though the sparks would fly
I thought our love was fireproof
Sometimes we’d fight in public darling
With very little cause
But different kinds of sparks would fly
When we got on our own behind closed doors
(Chorus)
It’s time to tell the truth
These things have to be faced
My fuse is burning out
And all that powder’s gone to waste
Don’t think for a moment dear that we’ll ever be through
I’ll build a bonfire of my dreams
And burn a broken effigy of me and you
(Chorus)
Meet Me In Montauk 
One of my favorite Costello songs from one of my favorite Costello albums (probably THE favorite album). Well done Random iTunes Fairy!
Yes, this is a beauty from a spectacular album. I admit I once hesitated to bring it into the classroom not wanting to have to delve into too deep a discussion about the “different kinds of sparks” that would fly behind closed doors. Reflecting on all the songs on the airwaves today that is such a quaint thought 🙂