Living In Paradise

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I don't like those other guys looking at your curves
I don't like you walking 'round with physical jerks
Everything they say and do is getting on my nerves
Soon they will be lucky to be picking up the perks
'Cause when they pull the shutters down and throw up in the dark
They'll find that all the dogs outside bite much worse than they bark

Here we are living in paradise, living in luxury
Oh, the thrill is here but it won't last long
You better have your fun before it moves along
And you're already looking for another fool like me

I call you Betty Felon 'cause you are a pretty villain
And I think that I should tell them that you'd make a pretty killing
'Cause meanwhile up in heaven they are waiting at the gate
Saying "We always knew you'd make it, didn't think you'd come this late"
And now it's much too dangerous to stop what you've begun
When everyone in paradise carries a gun

Here we are living in paradise, living in luxury
Oh, the thrill is here but it won't last long
You better have your fun before it moves along
And you're already looking for another fool like me

Later in the evening when arrangements are made
I'll be at the keyhole outside your bedroom door
'Cause I'm the first to know whenever the plans are laid
That never go further than floor to floor
You think that I don't know the boy that you're touching
But I'll be at the video and I will be watching

Here we are living in paradise
Here we are living in paradise
Here we are living in paradise
Here we are living in paradise, living in luxury
Oh, the thrill is here but it won't last long
You better have your fun before it moves along
And you're already looking for another fool like me



Alternate lyrics

Early version from My Aim Is True sessions:

Every day I see a rich man in a poor man's disguise
He's counting on the future while the past plays on his mind
Once when he had diamonds replaced in his eyes
He couldn't see so well, but ooh how they shined
And when they pull the shutters down and throw up in the dark
He finds that all the dogs outside bite much worse than they bark

Here we are living in paradise, living in luxury
Oh, the thrill is here, but it won't last long
You better have your fun before it moves along
And you're already looking for another fool like me

Well place your hand upon your heart and tell me you won't lie
Are you holding out for guarantees before you go to die
But meanwhile up in heaven they are waiting at the gate
Saying, "We always knew you'd make it, didn't think you'd come this late"
And now it's much too dangerous to stop what you've begun
When everyone in paradise carries a gun

Here we are living in paradise, living in luxury
Oh, the thrill is here, but it won't last long
You better have your fun before it moves along
And you're already looking for another fool like me

Looking down upon the earth you still can't understand
How I can't argue with the man who's got the money in his hand
You talk as if you had no choice, you took all you could grab
But it looks just like a bed, but it must feel just like a slab
You don't have to worry and you don't have to try
Just lay down your body, it's a lullaby

Oh, here we are living in paradise, living in luxury
Oh, the thrill is here, but it won't last long
You better have your fun before it moves along
And you're already looking for another fool like me
And you're already looking for another fool like me
And you're already looking for another fool like me
And you're already looking for another fool like me
And you're already looking for another fool like me
And you're already looking for another fool like me
And you're already looking for another fool like me



Viviendo En El Paraíso (Spanish Model) lyrics

No me gusta que otros ojos te miren pasar
No me gusta que camines con idiotas
Me pone de nervios lo que dicen, lo que harán.
Y que tengan beneficios que les puedas dar
Cuando bajen las cortinas en la oscuridad.
Ya abra aca que los perros ladran pueden muerden mas.

Viviendo en el paraiso ya,
Viviendo como un rey
Oh, la euphoria existe pero no te durara
Mejor que te diviertas antes que vaya a acabar
Te vi buscando a otro tonto, como yo.

Te llamo Betty Felon por ser tan bella villana
Seductora y asesina de eso tienes fama
En las puertas del cielo se han sentado ya a esperarte
Porque hasta ellos saben que te encanta demorarte

Y es tan peligroso el juego que empezaste
Si un revolver en cielo ya es muy normal.

Viviendo en el paraiso ya,
Viviendo como un rey
Oh, la euphoria existe pero no te durara
Mejor que te diviertas antes que vaya a acabar
Y ya te vi buscando a otro tonto, como yo.

Tarde por la noche cuando suele oscureser
Te espiare por el cerrojo de tu habitación
Por si tienes planes ser primero en saber.
Te seguire por el corredor.

Piensas que no se a quien estas tocando
Pero estaré en el bar y te estaré mirando.

Viviendo en el paraiso ya,
Viviendo en el paraiso ya,
Viviendo en el paraiso ya,
Viviendo en el paraiso ya,
Viviendo como un rey
Oh, la euphoria existe pero no te durara
Mejor que te diviertas antes que vaya a acabar
Te vi buscando a otro tonto, como yo.
Te vi buscando a otro tonto, como yo.
Te vi buscando a otro tonto, como yo.

Living In Paradise
Written byElvis Costello
Performed byElvis Costello & The Attractions
Produced byNick Lowe
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocals, guitar
Steve Nieve - keyboards
Bruce Thomas - bass
Pete Thomas - drums
RecordedNovember 1977-January 1978, Eden Studios, London
ReleasedMarch 17, 1978
AlbumsThis Year's Model, 1978
Collections2½ Years, 1993
PromosOur Aim Is True, 1978
Length3:46

First known performance:
November 15, 1977, San Francisco, CA
Last known performance:
February 9, 2023, New York, NY
     (25 known performances)


Alternate versions

Living In Paradise (Early Version)
Performed byElvis Costello
Produced byNick Lowe
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocals, guitar
John McFee - pedal steel guitar
Sean Hopper - keyboards
Johnny Ciambotti - bass
Mickey Shine - drums
Recordedlate 1976-early 1977, Pathway Studios, London
ReleasedAugust 21, 2001
AlbumsMy Aim Is True (Rhino/Edsel reissue), 2001
My Aim Is True: Deluxe Edition, 2007
PromosSelections From My Aim Is True, Spike, And All This Useless Beauty, 2001
Length3:00

Viviendo En El Paraíso (Spanish Model Version)
Performed byJesse & Joy, Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Produced bySebastian Krys from an original idea by Elvis Costello
Spanish adaptationJesse & Joy & Ximena Muñoz
MusiciansJesse & Joy - vocals
Elvis Costello - guitar
Steve Nieve - keyboards
Bruce Thomas - bass
Pete Thomas - drums
RecordedOctober 2019, Mexico City (Jesse & Joy), November 1977-January 1978, Eden Studios, London (Elvis Costello & The Attractions)
ReleasedSeptember 10, 2021
AlbumsSpanish Model, 2021
Length3:59
This Year's ModelTYM album cover large.jpg

2½ Years2½ Years album cover.jpg

My Aim Is TrueMAIT UK initial album cover large.jpg

Spanish ModelSpanish Model album cover.jpg

Covers

In One Ear performed live, 1979-06-xx, Canberra, Australia 1979 trove.nla.gov.au
Zachary Scot Johnson performed live, home studio production 2022 YouTube
Erich Sellheim home studio production, sung in German 2013 YouTube
Pat Veil recorded Summer 2020, "as a means of testing amps and recording equipment" 2022 YouTube

Internal links

External links