The Lovers That Never Were

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I have always needed somebody girl,
But I close the doors to keep out the world.
But for you, I would be here all alone,
Locked in a photograph.
All of the clocks have run down.
Lover beware.
We'll be the lovers that never were.

I hang patiently on every word you send.
Will we ever be much more than just friends?
As for you, you sit there playing this game.
You keep me waiting
When all of the clocks have run down,
All over the world.
We'll be the lovers that never were.

For as long as the sun shines in somebody's eyes,
I believe in you baby, so don't tell me lies.
For as long as the trees throw down blossoms and leaves,
I know there will be a parade of unpainted dreams.

And I know dear, how much it's going to hurt
If you still refuse to get your hands dirty.
So you, you must tell me something, ...I love you,
Say goodbye or anything.
All of the clocks have run down.
Time's at an end.
If we can't be lovers we'll never be friends.

For as long as the sun shines in somebody's eyes,
I believe in you baby, so don't tell me lies.
For as long as the trees throw down blossoms and leaves,
I know there will be a parade of unpainted dreams.


The Lovers That Never Were
Written byPaul McCartney & Declan MacManus
Performed byElvis Costello & The Imposters
Produced bySebastian Krys & Elvis Costello
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocals, Wurlitzer electric piano, electric and acoustic guitars, vibraphone
Pete Thomas - drums
Davey Faragher - bass
Steve Nieve - grand piano
Elvis Costello - vocal group
ReleasedApril 13, 2019
AlbumsPurse, 2019

First known performance:
November 18, 1987, Tokyo, Japan
Last known performance:
June 15, 2017, New York, NY
     (5 known performances)


Alternate versions

The Lovers That Never Were (Original Demo)
Performed byPaul McCartney & Elvis Costello
Produced byPaul McCartney
RecordedSeptember 3, 1987, Hog Hill Mill, East Sussex, England
ReleasedMarch 24, 2017
AlbumsPaul McCartney: Flowers In The Dirt (reissue), 2017
Length3:58

The Lovers That Never Were (Geoff Emerick Mix)
Performed byPaul McCartney & Elvis Costello
ReleasedMarch 24, 2017
AlbumsPaul McCartney: Flowers In The Dirt (reissue), 2017 (unlisted bonus track)
Length4:05
NoteThis is the "original demo" with additional overdubs.

Paul McCartney versions

The Lovers That Never Were (1988 Demo)
Performed byPaul McCartney
Produced byPaul McCartney & Elvis Costello
MusiciansPaul McCartney - lead vocal, bass guitar
Hamish Stuart - guitar
Chris Whitten - drums
RecordedFebruary 2, 1988, Hog Hill Mill, East Sussex, England
ReleasedMarch 24, 2017
AlbumsPaul McCartney: Flowers In The Dirt (reissue), 2017
Length3:49

The Lovers That Never Were
Performed byPaul McCartney
Produced byPaul McCartney & Julian Mendelsohn
MusiciansPaul McCartney - lead vocal, bass guitar, percussion, backing vocal
Linda McCartney - percussion, backing vocal
Hamish Stuart - acoustic guitar, percussion, backing vocal
Robbie McIntosh - mandolin, acoustic guitar, percussion, backing vocal
Paul "Wix" Wickens - grand piano, Hammond organ, percussion
Blair Cunningham - drums, percussion
AlbumsPaul McCartney: Off The Ground, 1993
Length3:42
Paul McCartney: Off The GroundPaul McCartney Off The Ground album cover.jpg
Flowers In The DirtFlowers In The Dirt 2017 reissue album cover.jpg
PursePurse EP cover.jpg

Covers

Paul McCartney Off The Ground 1993 AllMusicAmazon

Internal links

External links