Distorted Angel

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Strange things seem to occur, somewhere behind the nursery door
Though I was just a bit of a kid, it was the bit that she was looking for
Now I don't know where to begin confessing
The way she's making me feel it can't be a sin

I was taught to believe you were looking down on everyone
And your benevolent face is beautiful to gaze upon
Now I just don't know who to tell to go to hell
Who put the old devil in the distorted angel?

Distorted Angel
Pure illuminated sweetness
Frightening small children is just about your only weakness
I thought that you would tell me what I'm living for
But I can't see you anymore

I don't know what we did but I'm sorry if it made you cry
And if there's any justice at all I'd be punished for it I'd surmise
It will mark the spot very well where I fell
Under the shadow of the distorted angel
Beneath the shadow of the distorted angel
Below the shadow of the distorted angel
Angel
Beneath the shadow of the distorted angel
Below the shadow of the distorted angel
Angel

Distorted Angel
Written byDeclan MacManus
Performed byElvis Costello & The Attractions
Produced byGeoff Emerick & Elvis Costello
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocals, guitar
Steve Nieve - keyboards
Bruce Thomas - bass
Pete Thomas - drums
RecordedAugust-September 1995, Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin
February 1996, Westside Studios, London
ReleasedMay 13, 1996
AlbumsAll This Useless Beauty, 1996
SinglesDistorted Angel, 1996
PromosWEA 1996 Top Hits Selection, 1996
Length4:31

First known performance:
March 31, 1995, London, England
Last known performance:
February 20, 2023, New York, NY
     (69 known performances)


Alternate versions

Distorted Angel (Demo)
Performed byElvis Costello
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocals, guitar
Recorded1992-1993, Elvis' home
ReleasedAugust 21, 2001
AlbumsAll This Useless Beauty (Rhino reissue), 2001
Length2:31

Distorted Angel (Tricky Remix)
Performed byElvis Costello & The Attractions
Remixed byTricky
ReleasedJuly 29, 1996
AlbumsAll This Useless Beauty (Rhino reissue), 2001
SinglesAll This Useless Beauty, 1996
You Bowed Down, 1996
Various Artists collectionsWEA NME 3, 1996
Remixed By Tricky, 2001
Length5:35

Distorted Angel (Live 1996)
Performed byCostello & Nieve
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocal, guitar
Steve Nieve - piano
RecordedMay 20, 1996, Boston, MA
ReleasedDecember 3, 1996
AlbumsCostello & Nieve, 1996
PromosLive At The Paradise, Boston, 1996
Length4:45
All This Useless BeautyATUB album cover large.jpg

Distorted Angel singleDistorted Angel UK CD single front cover.jpg

All This Useless Beauty singleAll This Useless Beauty UK CD single front cover.jpg

You Bowed Down singleYou Bowed Down US CD single front cover.jpg

Costello & NieveCostello & Nieve album cover.jpg

Covers

Erich Sellheim home studio production, sung in German 2021 YouTube

Internal links

External links