Tears At The Birthday Party

Lyrics

Think back now when we were young

There were always tears at the birthday party

You know how children can be so cruel

That's how it starts

But what if we never learn how to behave?

I did something, and you never forgave me

I never thought that it could be like this

But now I see

I see you share your cake with him

Unwrapping presents that I should have sent

What can I do?

Must I watch you?

Close the door, dim the lights, blow out the candles

So Happy Birthday again

And it's the same every year

Seems that I remember it as something more

But you know how children can grow so strange

I still adore you

What if we never learn from our mistakes?

But then, you'll never know how my heart aches

I never thought that it would be like this

But now I see

I see you share your cake with him

Unwrapping presents that I should have sent

What can I do?

Must I watch you?

Close the door, dim the lights, blow out the candles

So Happy Birthday again

Close the door, dim the lights, blow out the candles

So Happy Birthday again

One day I know he'll forget

To pay you the compliments you're after

You'll hang your sad, aching head

Behind a brittle smile or a shrill of laughter

What if we only get what we deserve?

Somehow I couldn't quite summon the nerve

Upon each anniversary

Then do you ever think of me?

Unwrapping presents that I should have sent

What can I do?

Must I watch you?

Close the door, dim the lights, blow out the candles

So Happy Birthday again

Close the door, dim the lights, blow out the candles

So Happy Birthday again

Close the door, dim the lights, blow out the candles

So Happy Birthday again

Close the door, dim the lights, blow out the candles

So Happy Birthday again

Credits

• Written by: Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello
• Produced by: Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello
• Arranged and Conducted by: Burt Bacharach
• Featured Musicians:

Elvis Costello - voice

Burt Bacharach - piano

Steve Nieve - keyboards

Jim Keltner - drums

Greg Cohen - bass

Dean Parks - guitar

Dan Higgins - baritone sax

Donna Taylor - vocals

Lisa Taylor - vocals

Sue-Ann Carwell - vocals

Discography

Albums:

• Painted From Memory, 1998
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Singles:

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Collections:

• Album Name, Year
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Alternate Versions:

• Tears At The Birthday Party (instrumental)

The Sweetest Punch, 1999

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Soundtracks:

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Various Artists collections:

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Covers

Recorded by:

• none
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Performed by:

• none
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Bootlegs

• This section is incomplete.