|
Romeo was restless, he was ready to kill
He jumped out the window 'cause he couldn't sit still
Juliet was waiting with a safety net
He said "Don't bury me 'cause I'm not dead yet"
Chorus:
Why don't you tell me 'bout the mystery dance
I wanna know about the mystery dance
Why don't you show me 'cause I've tried and I've tried,
and I'm still mystified
I can't do it anymore and I'm not satisfied
Well I remember when the lights went out
And I was tryin' to make it look like it was never in doubt
She thought that I knew, and I thought that she knew,
So both of us were willing, but we didn't know how to do it
(chorus)
Well I was down under the covers in the middle of the night,
Tryin' to discover my left foot from my right
You can see those pictures in any magazine
But what's the use of looking when you don't know what they mean
(chorus)
I can't do it anymore and I'm not satisfied
(repeats)
Alternate lyrics
Alternate third verse from Honky Tonk demo:
Romeo was restless, he was ready to kill
He jumped out the window 'cause he couldn't sit still
Juliet was waiting with a safety net
He said "Don't bury me 'cause I'm not dead yet"
Chorus:
Why don't you tell me 'bout the mystery dance
I wanna know about the mystery dance
Why don't you show me 'cause I've tried and I've tried,
and I'm still mystified
I can't do it anymore and I'm not satisfied
Well I remember when the lights went out
And I was tryin' to make it look like it was never in doubt
She thought that I knew, and I thought that she knew,
So both of us were willing, but we didn't know how to do it
(chorus)
Well I was down under the covers in the middle of the night,
Tryin' to discover my left foot from my right
You can see those pictures in any magazine
But what's the use of looking when you don't know what they mean
(chorus)
I'm gonna walk right up to heaven dodging lightning & rods
I'm gonna have this very personal conversation with god
I said "You've got the information why don't you say so?"
He said "Well I've been around and I still don't know"
(chorus)
I can't do it anymore and I'm not satisfied (repeats)
|
| Mystery Dance |
|---|
| Written by | Elvis Costello |
|---|
| Performed by | Elvis Costello |
|---|
| Produced by | Nick Lowe |
|---|
| Musicians | Elvis Costello - vocal, guitar, piano, drumsticks
John McFee - guitar
Nick Lowe - bass, piano, drumsticks
Mickey Shine - drums |
|---|
| Recorded | late 1976, Pathway Studios, London |
|---|
| Released | July 7, 1977 |
|---|
| Albums | My Aim Is True, 1977
Viva England, 1982 (Spain) |
|---|
| Singles | (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes, 1977
Mystery Dance, 1977 (Belgium) |
|---|
| Collections | Stiff Box Set No. 2, 1981
Girls Girls Girls, 1989 (CD/cassette only)
2½ Years, 1993
Singles, Volume 1, 2003 |
|---|
| Soundtracks | Zero Effect, 1998 |
|---|
| Various Artists collections | Heroes & Cowards, 1978 (Italy)
No Thanks! The '70s Punk Rebellion, 2003 |
|---|
| Promos | UK Elvis Costello (2006), 2006 |
|---|
| Length | 1:36 |
|---|
| Note | Most releases have a fadeout ending, but others end with a sudden stop, including Girls Girls Girls, My Aim Is True (Rykodisc/Demon reissue), and 2½ Years. |
|---|
Alternate versions
| Mystery Dance (Live 1977) |
|---|
| Performed by | Elvis Costello & The Attractions |
|---|
| Musicians | Elvis Costello - vocal, guitar
Steve Nieve - keyboards
Bruce Thomas - bass
Pete Thomas - drums |
|---|
| Recorded | August 7, 1977, London, England |
|---|
| Released | October 14, 1977 |
|---|
| Albums | My Aim Is True: Deluxe Edition, 2007 |
|---|
| Singles | Watching The Detectives, 1977 |
|---|
| Collections | Stiff Box Set No. 2, 1981
Singles, Volume 1, 2003 |
|---|
| Length | 3:34 |
|---|
|
|
