London's Brilliant Parade

Lyrics

Outside my window

Not long before sleep arrives

They come with their sirens

And they sweep away all the boys

Busy draining the joy from their lives

They never said their prayers out loud

And while I'm dreaming

There's a passing motor car

That broadcasts a popular song

And a girl appears to be saying

"Do you think that I'm going to go far?"

(Chorus:)

Just look at me

I'm having the time of my life

Or something quite like it

When I'm walking out and about

In London's brilliant parade

She's one of those girls that you just can't place

You feel guilty desiring such an innocent face

But of course they knew that when they cast her

Along with the red Routemaster

And the film takes place in an MGB

And a perfect re-creation of "The Speakeasy"

Everybody looks happy and twisted

Though she probably never existed

For old times' sake

Don't let me awake

I wouldn't want you to walk across Hungerford Bridge

Especially at twilight

Looking through the bolts and the girders

Into the water below

You'll never find your answer there

They sounded the "all-clear" in the occidental bazaar

They used to call Oxford Street

Now the bankrupt souls in the city

Are finally tasting defeat

Don't look at me

I'm having the time of my life

Or something quite like it

When I'm walking out and about

In London's brilliant parade

When I'm walking out and about

In London's brilliant parade

From the gates of St. Mary's

There were horses in Olympia

And a trolley bus in Fulham Broadway

The lions and the tigers in Regent's Park

Couldn't pay their way

And now they're not the only ones

At the Hammersmith Palais

In Kensington and Camden Town

There's a part that I used to play

The lovely Diorama is really part of the drama, I'd say

(Repeat Chorus Twice)

Credits

• Written by: D.P.A. MacManus
• Produced by: Mitchell Froom and Elvis Costello
• Musicians:

Elvis Costello - vocals, guitar

Pete Thomas - drums

Steve Nieve - grand piano, organ

Bruce Thomas - bass

Discography

Albums:

• Brutal Youth, 1994
• Brutal Youth (Deluxe Edition), Rhino, 2002
• This section may be incomplete.

Singles:

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Collections:

• Album Name, Year
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Alternate Versions:

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Soundtracks:

• none

Various Artists collections:

• none

Covers

Recorded by:

• none
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Performed by:

• none
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Bootlegs

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