The Fall Of The World's Own Optimist

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As recorded by Aimee Mann on Bachelor No. 2

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 balustrade,
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


From the Elvis Costello demo on All This Useless Beauty (Rhino reissue)

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)

World's Great Optimist (Demo)
Written byElvis Costello & Aimee Mann
Performed byElvis Costello
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocal, piano
Recordedca. 1994, unknown location
ReleasedAugust 21, 2001
AlbumsAll This Useless Beauty (Rhino reissue), 2001
Length2:32

Only known performance:
June 4, 2015, Southend-on-Sea, England
     (1 known performance)


Eye.jpg
“What a joust of verses to sing and tangle of fingers to play. Must practice and reprise quite soon. Your humble co-writer” — EC in Twitter exchange with Aimee Mann, June 2015

Aimee Mann version

The Fall Of The World's Own Optimist
Performed byAimee Mann
Produced byJon Brion
MusiciansAimee Mann - lead & backing vocals, bass
John Sands - drums
Jon Brion - electric guitar, keyboards
Clayton Scoble - electric guitar
Michael Lockwood - electric guitar
Buddy Judge - backing vocals
AlbumsBachelor No. 2 (Limited Preview Edition), 1999
Bachelor No. 2, 2000
Length3:06

Eye.jpg
“I wrote this song with Elvis Costello, one of my musical heroes. I'm the optimist in the song, and I'm having a sad realization that someone who was on a pedestal has fallen off.” — Aimee Mann - in liner notes for 20th anniversary reissue of Batchelor No.2, November 2020.

All This Useless BeautyATUB album cover large.jpg

Covers

Aimee Mann Bachelor No. 2 1999 DiscogsAmazon
Aimee Mann performed live, 2003-03-27, EC tribute, Knitting Factory, Los Angeles 2003 archive.org

Internal links

External links