End Of The Rainbow

From The Elvis Costello Wiki

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 by	Richard Thompson
Performed by	Elvis Costello
Produced by	Charley Foskett
Musicians	Elvis Costello - vocal, guitar unknown - synth bass, backing vocal
Recorded	1985, unknown location
Released	November 1986
Collections	RT: The Life and Music of Richard Thompson, 2006 (bonus track)
Various Artists collections	The Anti-Heroin Project: It's A Live-In World, 1986
Promos	EMI PSR 491, 1986
Length	3:16
Note	The 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 by	Elvis Costello
Musicians	Elvis Costello - vocal, guitar
Recorded	July 21, 1985, Ocean Way, Los Angeles
Released	April 25, 2005
Albums	King Of America (Rhino/Edsel reissue), 2005
Length	3:25