15 Petals

From The Elvis Costello Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search

15 Petals
One for every year I spent with you
Jewels and precious metals will never do

I love you twisted
And I love you straight
I'd write it down but I can't concentrate
Words won't obey they do as they please
And all I am left with are these…

15 Petals
One for every year I spent with you
Jewels and precious metals will never do

The thorn is blunted
The perfume will fade
I stand where sun is set
I crave the shade
Down in the tavern with Mary and Joe
Palms reached for alms as they throw

15 Petals…
One for every hour that we're apart
Tears and useless battles
I'll never start

Mussolini highway
There's a frankincense tree
I picked some up there to carry with me
You take me to places where I'd never go
I love you more than you know

15 Petals
Scattered in the path where you will tread
15 Petals
Of vivid red

One wine-bar vamp with the polythene face
Ein Panzer Kommander with no hair in place
he crooked battalions drilled holes in the square

15 Petals
Written byElvis Costello
Performed byElvis Costello
Produced byThe Imposter: Elvis Costello, Ciaran Cahill, Leo Pearson & Kieran Lynch
Horn arrangementElvis Costello
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocals, 1914 Gibson Arch-Top & Magnatone Typhoon guitars, DR-202, harmonium loop, Hofner electric bass
Pete Thomas - drums, percussion
Steve Nieve - Hammond organ
Ku-umba Frank Lacy - trumpet
Curtis Fowlkes - trombone
Jay Rodriguez - tenor saxophone
Roy Nathanson - alto saxophone
Recorded2001, Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin
Horns recorded September 24, 2001, Avatar Studios, New York
ReleasedApril 15, 2002
AlbumsWhen I Was Cruel, 2002
Length4:01

First known performance:
April 15, 2002, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Last known performance:
November 6, 2002, Atlanta, GA
     (89 known performances)


Alternate versions

The Imposter Vs The Floodtide (Dust And Petals)
Performed byElvis Costello
Produced byThe Imposter: Elvis Costello, Ciaran Cahill, Leo Pearson & Kieran Lynch
ReleasedApril 8, 2002
AlbumsCruel Smile, 2002
SinglesTear Off Your Own Head (It's A Doll Revolution), 2002
Length3:58
NoteThis remix also includes elements of Dust 2....

15 Petals (Live in Sydney)
Performed byElvis Costello & The Imposters
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocal, guitar
Steve Nieve - keyboards
Davey Faragher - bass
Pete Thomas - drums
RecordedJuly 13, 2002, Sydney, Australia
ReleasedSeptember 23, 2002
AlbumsWhen I Was Cruel - Collectors Edition, 2002
Cruel Smile, 2002
PromosSunday Times CD, 2002 (PC audio track)
Length5:35
When I Was CruelWIWC album cover 400.jpg

Tear Off Your Own Head (It's A Doll Revolution) singleTear Off Your Own Head (It's A Doll Revolution) UK 7" single front sleeve.jpg

Cruel Smile2002 Cruel Smile Album small.jpg

Sunday Times CDSunday Times CD.jpg

Covers

Jamie N Commons The Baron EP 2011 Amazon.deYouTube
Norma Winstone It's Later Than You Think 2006 AmazonAmazon.uk
Erich Sellheim home studio production, sung in German 2021 YouTube

Internal links

External links