My Flame Burns Blue (Blood Count)

Lyrics

As the last light glimmers

And the evening hours dim

Maybe I'm too proud to utter it out loud

Even though my flame burns blue

As the night's descending

Once again I find I'll tarry and pretend

My confidential friend

Will suddenly appear in view

All my might

Between velvet and dynamite

Blow out the doors

Let in the light

Falling dust in the beam

And a small stifled scream

Alibis and decoys

Were his eyes so turquoise?

Covered with a lash

They flatter and they flash

Even though my flame burns blue

If I seem a stranger

I feel far from danger

We tamper and we toy

With passion over joy

Even though my flame burns blue

Even though the fire that once was desire

Doesn't look for trouble or dare to flare

Look now

And I won't be there

Credits

• Written by: Billy Strayhorn and Elvis Costello
• Produced by: Gert-Jan van den Dolder
• Arranged by: Vince Mendoza
• Musicians:

Elvis Costello - vocals

Steve Nieve - piano

The Metropole Orkest

Vince Mendoza - conductor

Marc Sholten - alto saxophone solo

Discography

Albums:

• My Flame Burns Blue, 2006

Singles:

• none

Collections:

• none

Soundtracks:

• none

Various Artists collections:

• none

Alternate Versions:

• My Flame Burns Blue (Blood Count) (from Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life)

Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life, 2007

Produced by: Robert Levi

Co-Produced by: George Seminara and Joshua Blum

Musicians:

Elvis Costello - vocal

Joe Lovano - tenor sax

Bill Charlap - piano

Covers

Recorded by:

• Duke Ellington ...And His Mother Called Him Bill
• Darius de Haas Day Dream - Variations On Strayhorn

Performed by:

• none

Bootlegs

• This section may be incomplete.