Elvis Costello - Back On My Feet Lyrics






How many days does the wet weather lack?
I wanna go where the clouds when they roll back
Reveal a man in an old mack
Living on a park bench
Sitting on his own

Cut to the rain as it rolls down the glass
But then she leaves through the lightning and thunder
You see a man going under
This is how it happens
This is what he said

"I don't need love
Temptation is sweet
Give me your hand
Till I'm back on my feet
You're always telling me
About my misery
I'll see things you'll never see
Don't pity me"

Focus in on the breath of a man
Takes a brown paper bag from his knapsack
Between his whispers and wisecracks
He's looking for the wishing
Screaming at the sky

"I don't need love
Temptation is sweet
Give me your hand
Till I'm back on my feet
You're always telling me
About my misery
I'll see things you'll never see
Don't pity me"

"I'll be fine again,
Be all right without you
I'll stand up again
Kick off the puzzlement, too"

Cut back again to a girl walking by
To the beat of her old shoes and rolled socks
Climb on an invisible soapbox
Laughing at the traffic
Shouting at the word

"I don't need love
Temptation is sweet
Give me your hand
Till I'm back on my feet
You're always telling me
About my misery
I'll see things you'll never see
Don't pity me"

"I'll be fine again,
Be all right without you
I'll stand up again
Kick off the puzzlement, too"

Seeing life through the eyes of a man
As he lives and he dies by a simple titan
Well there you go, though you trying hard to know
When he's there on his legs
Sees the kinks where the people all go
Things start to fade as he pulls down the shade
And the picture made is in glorious cinemascope





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Elvis Costello Back On My Feet Comments
  1. k.... m....

    One of Paul,s great songs,in my view

  2. D.... I....

    Love this song, just piano and vocals so pure.
    Must admit never heard it before.

  3. C.... M....

    I’d love to see Paul and Elvis team up one more time. He helped McCartney to write some of his best post-Beatles songs.

  4. M.... C....

    His demos are better than most people's records. Even his own sometimes.

  5. m.... r....

    thank you for every thing xo

  6. J.... C....

    Hard to hear what part Elvis Costello played to earn a co-write here as this sounds pretty much fully formed here, unless he helped with the middle eight. Fantastic song, ridiculously buried away on the weak "Once Upon A Long Ago" single.

  7. J.... G....

    Love These Simple Songs, The Kind 1 Can Kick Back & Let It
    Roll Through Your Mind.. Easy
    Pleasing, With Meaning I Provide..You're Fantastic
    Macca:!!🙆‍♂️ I Love You..🍎

  8. J.... �....

    This song (very very nice) we can´t buy now… no CD...no digital download...this version or single B-side version...nothing...WHY? It´s horrible

  9. A.... A....

    Thank you Paul for sharing this demo with us, if i can make one request? please release Boil Crisis on you tube from the tape on the 2 cds you released (see tug of war and pipes of peace). thank you, all my best wishes to you, arno

  10. P.... B....

    Absolutely perfect! <3

  11. D.... Z....

    A very talented artist. With persistence he will get a contract!

    D.... Z....

    I'm pretty sure he is already kind of famous, apparently he was in a rock'n roll band in the 50's or 60's something like that

  12. L.... M....

    So glad your still singing! Awesome Sir Paul. 🎼🎶💕🎧

  13. I.... ....

    Fuckin love it. Why did this become a crappy 80s production b-side?

  14. W.... T....

    More of this please! You still write great songs! I was at your concert in Atlanta last year... it was the best concert I've ever seen. I saw Rolling Stones in Hyde Park when Mick Taylor was introduced: 2nd Atlanta Pop Festival in 1971 with all the Woodstock acts, Moody Blues, Beach Boys at their peak in 63, Peter,Paul and Mary in their peak in 64, Allman Brothers in their peak in 1968, and many, many more. Your concert topped them all. You've still got it. Keep it up for another decade, there's no reason to stop.

  15. P.... S....

    I think John would have really liked this one..............or call it just another silly song. God, I miss him. I cannot even begin to understand how you feel. Great, great song!

  16. S.... B....

    The Demos from this era are simple amazing. It's a shame the album versions fell victim to the fads and trends of popular music of the 80s' and early 90s'

  17. S.... G....

    Come si chiama LP? Non l'ho mai sentita, dolce e delicata

  18. e.... (....

    Honestly, this sounds completed. I prefer songs like this, just piano and vocals. Sounds so simple, yet so mesmerizing at the same time.

  19. D.... R....

    How many days will the wet weather last?
    I want know will the clouds
    When they roll back
    Reveal a man in an old mac
    Sitting on a park bench
    Living on his own?

    Cut to the rain as it runs down the glass
    Eventually through the lightning and thunder
    We see a man going under
    This is how it happen
    This is what he said

    He said: I don't need love
    I was born on the street
    Give me your hand
    'Til I'm back on my feet
    So, I don't need love
    I was born on the street
    I need a hand
    'Til I'm back on my feet

    How many days will the wet weather last?
    I want know will the clouds
    When they roll back
    Reveal a man in an old mac
    Sitting on a park bench
    Living on his own?

    Cut to the rain as it runs down the glass
    Eventually through the lightning and thunder
    We see a man going under
    This is how it happen
    This is what he said

    He said: I don't need love
    I was born on the street
    Give me your hand
    'Til I'm back on my feet
    I don't need love
    I was born on the street
    I need a hand
    'Til I'm back on my feet

    I don't need love
    I was born on the street
    Give me your hand
    'Til I'm back on my feet
    Tell you that I don't need love
    I was born down on the street
    Give me your hand
    'Til I'm back on my feet

  20. e.... ....

    Genious! "Forever Young" Dylan and Brian Wilson.👏👏👏

  21. M.... P....

    What gem!

  22. G.... Z....

    o Paul era lindão

  23. G.... Z....

    cara, eu amava os Beatles 😭😭😭😭 ressuscitem o Lennon e o George e voltem a ser quem eram 😭😭😭😭😭

  24. F.... L....

    love!❤

  25. J.... M....

    Paul,  Happy 75th Birthday!
    Thanks for all you have done and continue to do for the music world.  
    Great song!
    Take Care!
    Jim

  26. �.... �....

    eeeeeeeeeeee

  27. e.... m....

    Repeat button in order, how I love your music... For all my life 😊

  28. T.... U....

    Beautiful Paul! You're awesome musician and I love your new music! You are inspiration to many! :)

  29. A.... R....

    Thank you for this new song dear Paul.

    A.... R....

    technically It isn't a new song ;)

  30. T.... ....

    Where my fellow 13yr old Paul fans at? I've been obsessed with Paul since I was little.

  31. W.... S....

    go paul go

  32. S.... ....

    good chord progression.

  33. L.... M....

    I know the feelings paul....beautiful

  34. I.... G....

    A-dur - Asus2 is it first chord?

  35. N.... ....

    You're wonderful!

  36. G.... ....

    Paul McCartney ist really cool😉

  37. R.... L....

    Just he is the 'BESTIEST'!

  38. H.... e....

    I think this Demo version is better and more favorite than official one for me .

  39. �.... �....

    Miss songs like these. We love You, Paul!!!

  40. D.... L....

    Vaya joya, una de mis canciones favoritas, este demo es genial. Sin duda Flowers in The Dirt es un álbum que raya en lo sublime, el genio de McCartney sumado al del señor Elvis Costello, sin precedentes.

  41. F.... A....

    This is the first song that Paul checked with Elvis Costello. And it shows in the released version. Improved lyrics.

  42. �.... �....

    Музыка, поднимающая настроение, придающая силы, дарящая веру во что-то настоящее...

  43. A.... M....

    👍🎶🎶🎸👏
    So nice and beautiful song🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹😍😘❤

  44. B.... ....

    he should release this

  45. c.... ....

    Thanks for releasing. Now, Paul, please demand Capitol Records to release the 16 songs as an additional cd as a physical format, not a download only. I've bought all your Archive Collections, except for this one as it's an insult to the fans to force us to download each song individually and then burn to a separate disc. The persons buying the physical format want all songs on a physical format. Not some songs or a few songs, but all the songs. The "suit" who thought up this brainchild needs to be put out to pasture.

  46. E.... C....

    They should included this demo in the re-issue of Flowers in the Dirt....

  47. R.... E....

    Excelente, exquisito, maravilloso!!!!!!!

  48. S.... ....

    Should have been on the album, great song and wasted as a B-side

  49. M.... O....

    Well he was born on a street...that is new to me!

  50. P.... ....

    Beautiful!!! <3

    P.... ....

    PaulMyCandy like your profile 😍👌

    P.... ....

    PaulMyCandy Macca squad unite

  51. P.... ....

    Love both this and the studio cut. Wish I could listen to them on Spotify!

  52. P.... S....

    Thanks Paul- good song!

  53. L.... C....

    Perfect day to be listening - itès raining outside... Love listening to Paul and then it is a great song, with truths in it..

  54. W.... ....

    Great song

  55. N.... P....

    wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! yes!! ta! i enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  56. J.... C....

    Brilliant song as usual from the one and only Paul. Got them all.

  57. P.... K....

    Those low notes are kind of awkward and flat sounding. Thumbs down.

    P.... K....

    It was just a demo, mate. It was never intended to be heard by anyone but him.

  58. B.... G....

    Sounds great to me.

  59. E.... R....

    Olá, Amei!

  60. L.... A....

    Nice song

  61. u.... e....

    Cool song!

  62. B.... J....

    If you like this track, why not buy the £134.99 deluxe edition that it doesn't appear on.

    B.... J....

    Oh damn.

    B.... J....

    Exactly. I just wrote on comment on that!! Ridiculous. You can download but you can't burn it to a CD. Ugh.

  63. N.... d....

    Un placer siempre oírte Paul, una canción bonita en su sencillez. .

  64. D.... H....

    I miss songs like these. No bells and whistles. Just the good stuff. How many songs nowadays can come across with just piano and vocals. That's the true mark of a good song. Like Ringo said, 'People don't whistle Paul's bass, it's the melody.' Love this song. Carry on Paul.

    D.... H....

    His bass is incredibly melodic though.

    D.... H....

    Excellent song!

  65. g.... ....

    Thanks Dear Paul, such a beautiful Demo ! Your music, Your words and Your voice.... here like the first drop of a river !

  66. S.... G....

    great song.Sir Paul you go back so far you're in front of you. forever your fan.

  67. �.... �....

    Do not cease to surprise me. THANK YOU

  68. A.... S....

    ANOTHER TERRIBLE SONG FROM SUCH A USE TO BE TALENT......TERRIBLE....ABSOLUTLY TERRIBLE SONG......NOT A GOOD SONG IN 20 YEARS!!!!!

    A.... S....

    What have you done in your life time, loser. How many songs or millions do you have?

    A.... S....

    listen here you shit starting piece of Paul hating shit. "Sir Paul" is a music genius. always will and his music will last for many many many years to come. Thanks Paul.

    A.... S....

    "NOT A GOOD SONG IN 20 YEARS"

    You commented this on a recording made 31 years ago. Dumbass

  69. A.... ....

    Is this available on Paul's site for download? Great song!

  70. J.... L....

    A great song. should have done an album Mccartney/Mcmanus.

  71. l.... ....

    Hey, a picture of the Rickenbacker I didn't know! I wish he'd use it again...

    l.... ....

    Paul often used that Rickenbacker from 1965 ( from the album Rubber Soul) to 1987 or 1988.

    According to the rumor, that guitar doesn't work at all now because of the neck warp.

    By the way, Paul came back to Japan last week. I was enchanted by his guitar sounds and all his performance again.

    What a great and powerful 76 years old man!! ( From Japan, Tokyo )

  72. N.... Y....

    fucking great song!!!👍😉

  73. C.... W....

    I prefer Macca on his own skills .

  74. m.... ....

    Great to finally hear the demo for one of Paul's finest b sides!

  75. l.... g....

    Thank you paul, blessed with so much joy to share! !!:)😘

  76. p.... ....

    Beautiful!!! Thank you, Paul, I really really love your music!!! idol!

  77. t.... b....

    it would be helpful to have George Martin for this--I can almost hear his arrangement inputs.

    t.... b....

    Absolutely, apart from the fact that GM is dead and the song was already released thirty years ago.

    t.... b....

    interesting--I mean the part about 30 yrs ago

    t.... b....

    Your cover of Mr. Kite is quite charming!

  78. M.... H....

    Very nice song!😄

  79. E.... V....

    We love you Paul! 💕

  80. M.... ....

    It sounds good❤️

  81. A.... ....

    He's still got it. Love it!

  82. J.... J....

    long time no see paul.. thank you so much for sharing with me.. 😄🎶🙏

  83. l.... ....

    Love it!

  84. J.... G....

    Awesome. Always loved this b-side - this demo available only as FREE download (studio release on Flower Deluxe). Thank you Sir Paul and Co.!: https://www.paulmccartney.com/downloads

  85. D.... M....

    Good timing for this song to arrive. The line "How many days will the wet weather last" is playing while it's pouring down. Love the demo version. Paul, You're the man!

    D.... M....

    Como nadie lo dice, ni lo va a decir, tendré que decirlo yo. Esta canción es una puta mierda. Ciao.

    D.... M....

    Que va a saber un burro de chicle si lo que come es pura mierda....!

    D.... M....

    Me reitero. Una puta mierda.

    D.... M....

    Oregon man, it's never ending.

    D.... M....

    J.C. S. Sod off

  86. P.... S....

    Great Song, Paul! I love your music-I know all of your Songs, and im only 13 years old.

    P.... S....

    Yeah I was around that age of 13 when I got into his music. Wow time flies...

    P.... S....

    Not as good as the released version but good

    P.... S....

    I feel the same

    P.... S....

    This is almost exactly what I told Paul in a letter. About 27 years ago!!! The song was Off the Ground.

  87. D.... C....

    Wonderful Paul!

  88. M.... M....

    👏👏

  89. T.... ....

    Better than the released version

    T.... ....

    I agree

  90. l.... 1....

    nice song!!❤

  91. e.... s....

    You always make my day 😍😄😘

  92. S.... M....

    MOST EXCELLENT!!

  93. e.... a....

    its a new song?

    e.... a....

    The full studio version was originally a B Side of "Once Upon A Long Ago" in 1987. This is a demo of that song.

    e.... a....

    oooo tanks men

  94. T.... P....

    what a amazing song.