End Of The Rainbow

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I feel for you, you little horror
Safe at your mother's breast
No lucky break for you around the corner
'Cos your father is a bully
And he thinks that you're a pest
And your sister she's no better than a whore

Life looks so rosy in the cradle
But I'll be a friend and I'll tell you what's in store
There's nothing at the end of the rainbow
There's nothing to grow up for anymore

Tycoons and barrow boys will rob you
And throw you on the side
And all because they love themselves sincerely
And a man holds a bread-knife
Up to your throat and it's four feet wide
And he's anxious just to show you what it's for

Life looks so rosy in the cradle
But I'll be a friend and I'll tell you what's in store
There's nothing at the end of the rainbow
There's nothing to grow up for anymore

All the sad and empty faces
That meet you on the street
All walking in their sleep or in a dream
Every loving handshake
Is just another man to beat
How your heart aches just to cut him to the core

Life looks so rosy in the cradle
But I'll be a friend and I'll tell you what's in store
There's nothing at the end of the rainbow
There's nothing to grow up for anymore

End Of The Rainbow
Written byRichard Thompson
Performed byElvis Costello
Produced byCharley Foskett
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocal, guitar
unknown - synth bass, backing vocal
Recorded1985, unknown location
ReleasedNovember 1986
CollectionsRT: The Life and Music of Richard Thompson, 2006 (bonus track)
Various Artists collectionsThe Anti-Heroin Project: It's A Live-In World, 1986
PromosEMI PSR 491, 1986
Length3:16
NoteThe synth bass and backing vocal were added without Elvis' permission.

First known performance:
August 15, 1984, Holmdel, NJ
Last known performance:
June 11, 2014, Chicago, IL
     (60 known performances)


Alternate versions

End Of The Rainbow (Solo Demo)
Performed byElvis Costello
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocal, guitar
RecordedJuly 21, 1985, Ocean Way, Los Angeles
ReleasedApril 25, 2005
AlbumsKing Of America (Rhino/Edsel reissue), 2005
Length3:25
The Anti-Heroin Project: It's A Live-In WorldThe Anti-Heroin Project It's A Live In World album cover.jpg

King Of America (Rhino/Edsel reissue)King Of America Rhino album cover.jpg


Recordings by other artists

 Artist  Year  Release  Links
Richard and Linda Thompson  1974 I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight WikipediaAllMusicAmazon

Internal links

External links