Costello, Elvis - Blame It On Cain Lyrics






Once upon a time, I had a little money.
Government burglars took it long
before I could mail it to you.
Still, you are the only one.
Now I can't let it slip away.
So if the man with the ticker tape,
he tries to take it,
well this is what I'm gonna say.

[Chorus:]
Blame it on Cain.
Don't blame it on me.
Oh, oh, it's nobody's fault,
but we need somebody to burn.

Well if I was a saint with
a silver cup
and the money got low
we could always heat it up
or trade it in.
But then the radio that heaven will be wired to your purse.
And then you can run down the wave band,
coast to coast, hand in hand.
Bad to worse, curse for curse,
don't be dissatisfied.
So you're not satisfied.

[Chorus]

I think I've lived a little too long
on the outskirts of town
I think I'm going insane
from talking to myself for so long.
Oh but I've never been accused.
When they step on your face,
you wear that good look grin.
I gotta break out one weekend
if I do somebody in.
But every single time
I feel a little stronger,
they tell me it's a crime.
Well how much longer?

[Chorus]





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Costello, Elvis Blame It On Cain Comments
  1. J.... C....

    Still playin' in jukeboxes today! - Joey From Seattle

  2. K.... K....

    More than decent courageous to have written "Elvis is king" repeatedly over the entire cover of his debut album (and in all likelihood mean himself) just a month before Presley took down the sign (though that was hardly Costello's knowledge of).

  3. R.... C....

    You do not know how different this sounded to my ears in 1977 at Sam the Record Man in Toronto!

    R.... C....

    Toronto i saw him at Rhode Island college in 78 when i was 15 it was great!!!

  4. t.... ....

    Had a dream last night I was a part of a flash mob in Chicago dancing to this song in the street in the loop. We were all wearing zoot suits. Best dream ever

  5. M.... G....

    Van Morrison on crack:)

  6. P.... M....

    In an alternate universe, the Beatles were still together when poor John was killed, and Costello filled in. A genius of lyrics, a living encyclopedia of pop, and a willing provocateur. John would've been pleased.

  7. D.... M....

    Sound quality blows me Away had it on a cassette as a kid

    D.... M....

    Saw him at Rhode Island college 78 i was 15 it was great!!!

  8. p.... k....

    fucking cain!

    p.... k....

    Yep, killed his brother Able

  9. L.... G....

    Saw this guy and his band back in '78 for a $1 at pogo's in KC

    L.... G....

    I saw the cars for $2.50 at Providence Civic Center in '78 now I feel ripped off.

  10. J.... B....

    Elvis Lives!! I just woke up outta the Ether with this R&R classic blasting in me fool hayd

  11. D.... k....

    The young Elvis did resemble the young Buddy Holley .Same horn- rims etc. Nerdy- dynastic stance w / Holley's pop chops at his command, & showmanship.I think it was an intentional throw- back, as 50' s throw- backs were aucurant back in the 1970' s. There was a huge 50' s movement back then. That decade came back from the grave w/ a vengeance. Woody Allen who was big than had a similar look. Both men hilarious, & putting one instantly in mind of that earlier era. And people were still smarting from losing Buddy so young back then ,also It was a heavy, heavy loss that took decades 2 get over.( & than they took John Lennon 3 years later,) another Holley acolyte & Costello influence. Who looked Holley esques w/ his horn- rims ( I guess, every white- guy looks Holley- like w/ horn- rim glasses. - or Clark Kent.)

  12. T.... F....

    definitely possessed or sitting on an insane catalog of music

  13. R.... S....

    I think he's the best lyricist I've ever heard. No equal.

    R.... S....

    Bob Dylan?

    R.... S....

    You heard him.

  14. p.... ....

    Untouchable

  15. C.... K....

    rdrhhhdkurhyfhshrhjdudccccxxxzsfggg chopperswapper d bc hfh f2f f tree be

  16. w.... ....

    Rolling Stone Mag. best album of '77 - well deserved! Elvis IS King!

  17. S.... M....

    Nobody can touch this guy for songwriting. And no one ever talks about what a great lyricist he is.

    S.... M....

    A never ending fountain of brilliance.

    S.... M....

    There are more than handful of guys who can beat him easily in terms of songwriting. But, Elvis in a very short moment put together some very real sh!t. This song being as an example.

    S.... M....

    Rick Snyder That’s how it goes, put your heart into something and nobody gave a shit, he’s still popular in the European country’s but he deserves way more.

    S.... M....

    @Rick Snyder he was awesome early, I hear he's still good but what I've sampled doesn't move me. Followed him up to Imperial Bedroom, King of America and Blood And Chocolate had some decent stuff but..the first 4 albums are the meat of his catalog, for me anyway.

    S.... M....

    He's a good songwriter but I find him extremely overrated by music critics

  18. J.... S....

    Blame It on Cane!! What a fucking song.!!!!!!!!!!!!That fucking back beat.

  19. R.... E....

    You spelt Blame wrong fool

    R.... E....

    Blaim it on Cane

    R.... E....

    Blaime it on Caine

    R.... E....

    Cain it on Blaim

    R.... E....

    🎼 Don’t blame it on me 🎼

  20. d.... d....

    He did not steal Buddy Holly's "look". He looks just like his father.

  21. p.... ....

    I love the simple arrangement with no rhythm and only lead (or arpeggios), bass, and drums. Classic '50s-style rock sound, and, of course, Elvis's brilliant songwriting.

    p.... ....

    yep - This is one of his many classics..... my other favorites are: Waiting for the end of the world, red shoes, The Beat, You belong to me, Beyond Belief, Man out of Time, Human Hands, Good year for the roses, You'll never be a man, Brilliant mistake, Riot Act, Shabby Doll, Senior Service, Green Shirt, Clean Money, Charm school and the Greatest Thing and Alison.

    p.... ....

    @patsghost Not to burst your bubble, but there are is a keyboard and rhythm guitar here.

  22. B.... P....

    Love this album... Elvis knows the score, dude! Whatcha think? Thats the start of a poem... No one needs to blame anyone anymore...why keep score? Let his aim be true...true love for all...let the bouncing ball lie still... anyone want to collaborate with me and write a poem... ill check out cliffy buglione but I am new to this you tube stuff and dont really know how things work around here!

  23. b.... h....

    LOVE the roots of rock n roll feel to this one..!!

  24. j.... c....

    I bought this album second hand ..... still one of my all time favorites !!!!!!!

  25. B.... J....

    Funny how nobody ever mentions Nick Lowe when talking about Elvis Costello, they were pretty much on a rock and roll see saw for most of their careers.

  26. c.... B....

    Since 1977 I've been bringing out small books of poetry, there are approx 20 poems in each. I've published 27 so far and Elvis Costello, year after year, as been my main inspiration and influence. There's no one like him.

  27. l.... ....

    Both Elvis Costello and Buddy Holly were terrific singer songwriters. Their influence on rock is huge.

  28. l.... s....

    thanks so much for having this out there.Needed to hear r&b !!

  29. t.... ....

    Blame, actually

  30. F.... T....

    Okay, keep fooling yourself

  31. S.... C....

    NOT! Nice try...

  32. M.... R....

    Yeah, those jerks from Weezer, or did they steal the Elvis Costello look?

    So hard to tell anymore...

  33. 6.... ....

    the American backing band "Clover" on this album featured a couple of musicians who later retured to America and became the newz.Huey Lewis was also in "Clover".

  34. b.... ....

    EC's name comes from Elvis Presley (first name) and EC's mother's family (Costello). And it wasn't so much his idea as the people at Stiff Records. Common documented fact.

  35. S.... C....

    My Aim is his best album as it was recorded with an American country band Clover. It is also his best selling album for good reasons, the band Clover is VERY laid back which counters EC's ANGRY tendency. The Attractions are EC's band which is why they play on top of the beat and propel the songs. I prefer, like most people, this album for that reason, as there is a sweetness here. EC is just too smart by half. His brain just "talks all night." Scrappy 'lil bugger too. NASTY!

  36. F.... T....

    He's still WAY better than Buddy Holly

  37. R.... ....

    Uh... that's the point. He stole the look from Buddy Holly and the name from Elvis Presley. They were both dead by this first album in 77.

  38. m.... ....

    Nope. Doesn't matter a bit. Bit like saying Jesse Jackson stole his material from MLK.

  39. m.... ....

    Oh that's right --because Buddy Holly was the only guy who ever wore glasses and played rock and roll. Genius.



  40. J.... S....

    This music changed my life. Couldn't get enough of it..a new sound compared to all the other shit out at the time. I turned all of my friends onto it..They didn't get it.. I still do. This song is on a list of mine called " The Best There Is. "

  41. F.... K....

    ONLY GOOD VERSION, THANNK YOU
    thumbs up if you agree

  42. M.... G....

    love this song