Declan Patrick MacManus was born August 25, 1954, in St Mary's Hospital, Paddington in London, England, moving to Birkenhead (the birthplace of his father, musician Ronald "Russ" MacManus) with his widowed mother at age 16. He is better known by his stage name, Elvis Costello, a popular British musician, singer, and songwriter of Irish ancestry. Some sources list his full given name as Declan Patrick Aloysius MacManus, however Aloysius was not one of his names at birth, being added years later. Costello was an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s, and alongside Nick Loweand Ian Durymade his first releases on the independant label Stiff, tailoring his work towards the punkand new wavescenes. From 1980's Armed Forcesonwards, however, other influences including soul, country, 60s pop and classical music began to re-emerge, and he soon became established as a unique and original voice.
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American Without Tears #2 Lyrics
Elvis Costello
December 1965 in caracas
When arnie laflem took a piece of the pie
When he packed up the casino chips, the iou and the abacus
And switched off the jukebox in a a fool such as i
He was a leg man who was open to offers
But he couldnt get her off his mind as he passed the tourist office
And as he entertained himself singing just like sammy davis junior
He toyed with her trip to miami
For money like that
He could have sweet talk in her ear
Now they dont speak any english
Just american without tears
It was an idea that he dangled on his knee
And nursed it like his coffee cup
When he couldnt find any other way
It always seemed to come to him
While the day was dipping down
And sun was like a lightbulb
Being swallowed by a clown
He took her for everything
He took her for his only one
He took her out of coventry and over to idaho
But the war wound that he carried home
Wasnt really visable
When bullets were forgotton
She lived dowdry, down, and miserable
And she seemed to be crying for year after year
And says, you dont speak any english
Just american between tears.
Honey she said to me will you turn down the radio.
You havent slept a wink since we came to havana
When youre gonna get the strength to go over to florida
All you ever listen to is the voice of america.
It was the story of a young english puppet
Who took up with a soldier boy
And thought she would profit.
Just like me she found out what true love is about
Anyway shes in new orleans it would never work out
Oh she seemed to be crying for year after year
Now you dont speak any english
Just american between tears.
Just american without tears.
For you seem to be crying year after year
Now you dont speak any english
Just american without tears.
Just american without tears.