The Fall Of The World's Own Optimist

Lyrics

As recorded by Aimee Mann on Bachelor No. 2 (1999)

There's no charity in you and that surprises me

I guess I thought you were a golden idol 'cause I called you majesty

On the ballustrade, you watched me hunt for tips

I was obliged to pick up from the passing trade

Chorus:

Hey, kids -- look at this

It's the fall of the world's own optimist

I could get back up if you insist

But you'll have to ask politely

'Cause the eggshells I've been treading

Couldn't spare me a beheading

And I'll know I had it coming

From a Caesar who was only slumming

Hey, kids -- look at this

It's the fall of the world's own optimist

Well, I could have objections which you could override

But what's the point -- we're only flogging the horse

When the horseman has up and died

Once I testified

And swore I'd never leave a stone unturned

I bet you're really glad that I lied

(Repeat chorus)

Hey, kids -- look at this

It's the fall of the world's own optimist

I could get back up if you insist

But you'll have to ask politely

Yes, you'll have to ask politely

Yes, you'll have to ask

Alternate Lyrics

From the Elvis Costello demo on All This Useless Beauty (Deluxe Edition) (2001)

There's no charity in you

You took the eye in me

I never said you were a golden idol

With one extra arm or three or four

As you preyed upon mere mortals

That you were obliged to pick up

From the passing trade

Chorus:

Hey, kids -- look at this

Can't you see I'm the world's great optimist

I could get up now if you insist

But you'll have to ask politely

If by chance I feel insulted

And by fortune I've been halted

When in time I've catapulted

Into heaven I've been vaulted

Hey, kids -- look at this

Can't you see I'm the world's great optimist

There's no vanity in me

Because I'm quite convinced

I think I've finally got you out of my hair now

And I didn't have to rinse

Remember when I cried

And swore I'd never wash the lips you kissed

I bet you're really glad that I lied

(Repeat Chorus)

Credits

• Written by: Elvis Costello and Aimee Mann
• Produced by: Jon Brion (Aimee Mann version), Elvis Costello (E.C. demo)
• Musicians:

Aimee Mann official release:

Aimee Mann - vocals, bass

John Sands - drums

Jon Brion - electric guitar, keyboards

Clayton Scoble - electric guitar

Michael Lockwood - electric guitar

Buddy Judge - vocals

Elvis Costello demo version:

Elvis Costello - vocals, all instruments

Discography

Albums:

• All This Useless Beauty (Deluxe Edition), Rhino, 2001
• This section may be incomplete.

Singles:

• This section may be incomplete.

Collections:

• Album Name, Year
• This section may be incomplete.

Alternate Versions:

• This section may be incomplete.

Soundtracks:

• none

Various Artists collections:

• none

Covers

Recorded by:

• Aimee Mann, on Bachelor No. 2 (1999)
• This section may be incomplete.

Performed by:

• none
• This section may be incomplete.

Bootlegs

• This section is incomplete.