Black Sails In The Sunset

From The Elvis Costello Wiki

Vain boys are gonna have to swallow their pride this time
So let the punishment fit the crime
It's under the table
Under your skin
Into the cable
Is this the death of the glory you're in?

Chorus:
Black sails in the sunset
White noise going yakety-yak
All the money in the world will never bring your body back
Is it some mysterious dance nobody can do?
Thought I knew all the steps quite clearly
I don't have a clue
Oooh

You're Cinderella with a ball and chain
And the shoe seems to fit you
You tell the truth sometimes
But you wouldn't know it if it hit you
Is this some new trick
Wired up in your head?
Do you make me sick
Or was I just force fed?

(Chorus)

Black Sails In The Sunset
Written by	Elvis Costello
Performed by	Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Produced by	Nick Lowe in association with Roger Bechirian
Musicians	Elvis Costello - vocals, guitar Steve Nieve - keyboards Bruce Thomas - bass Pete Thomas - drums
Recorded	late 1980-early 1981, Eden Studios, London
Released	August 1986
Albums	Trust (Rykodisc/Demon reissue), 1994 (fades early) Trust (Rhino/Edsel reissue), 2003
Singles	Tokyo Storm Warning, 1986
Collections	Out Of Our Idiot, 1987 Singles, Volume 3, 2003
Promos	Punch The Clock, Trust & Get Happy!! Sampler, 2003
Length	3:07

First known performance:
January 28, 1981, College Park, MD
Last known performance:
February 19, 2023, New York, NY
(13 known performances)

Alternate versions

Black Sails In The Sunset (Alternate Version)
Performed by	Elvis Costello
Musicians	Elvis Costello - vocals Steve Nieve - piano
Recorded	October 1979, Eden Studios, London
Released	July 28, 2003
Albums	Trust (Rhino/Edsel reissue), 2003
Length	3:05

Black Sails In The Sunset (Live 1996)
Performed by	Costello & Nieve
Musicians	Elvis Costello - vocal, guitar Steve Nieve - piano
Recorded	May 22, 1996, New York, NY
Released	December 3, 1996
Albums	Costello & Nieve, 1996
Promos	Live At The Supper Club, New York, 1996
Length	3:17