Turning The Town Red

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You've been told that this won't do
They put me in the picture but the film turned blue
A glimpse of you
Turning the town red
A head full of brand new words and a mouth full of shocks
You're a big boy now with a face to stop clocks
Turning the town red
Turning the town red

You made your bed and now you better dream in it
The word that you once whispered, now you're screaming it
Days drip down the damp wallpaper
Pictures plastered on the ivy creeper
Between your old toy soldiers and your mother's sleepers
Turning the town red
Turning the town red

You made your bed, you better face the consequence
A black pool opened at my feet into a dream sequence
Turning the town red
Turning the town red
Turning the town red
Turning the town red

You know I heard her call my name
At least I think that's what she said
Surely I'm the poor relation who can't afford the shame
So what's she doing in my bed?
Turning the town red
Turning the town red
Turning the town red
Turning the town red...




Alternate lyrics from demo version:


You've been told that this won't do
So you're turning the town red
They put me in the picture but the film turned blue
A glimpse of you
Turning the town red

You said they carried you shoulder high
After turning the town red
Now you've lost that lovin' feelin'
And you don't know why
Turning the town red

You made your bed and now you better dream in it
The word that you once whispered, now you're screaming it
Turning the town red

Days drip down the damp wallpaper
Pictures plastered in an ivy creeper
Between your old toy soldiers and your mother's sleepers
Soon you'll be turning the town red

Don't get the needle with the boys in the blocks
Find yourself alright when the bathroom door locks
You're a big boy now with a face to stop clocks
Soon you'll be turning the town red
Turning the town red
Turning the town red

You made your bed, you better face the consequence
A black pool opened at my feet into a dream sequence
Turning the town red

I smell trouble I heard her call my name
At least I think that's what she said
Surely I'm the poor relation who can't afford the shame
So what's she doing in my bed?

You know that scent that often lingers
After turning the town red
I can't find it on my face or even on my fingers
I'm turning the town red
Turning the town red
Turning the town red
Turning the town red

Turning The Town Red
Written byElvis Costello
Performed byElvis Costello & The Attractions
Produced byThe Mono Kings (Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley), assisted by Jon Jacobs
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocals, guitar
Steve Nieve - keyboards
Bruce Thomas - bass
Pete Thomas - drums
RecordedFebruary 1984, SARM West Studios, London
Vocal and guitar overdubs recorded at AIR Studios, London
ReleasedJune 1984
AlbumsGoodbye Cruel World (Rykodisc/Demon reissue), 1995
Goodbye Cruel World (Rhino/Edsel reissue), 2004
SinglesI Wanna Be Loved, 1984
The Only Flame In Town, 1984 (US/Spain)
CollectionsOut Of Our Idiot, 1987
Girls Girls Girls, 1989 (cassette only)
Singles, Volume 3, 2003
SoundtracksScully (TV Series), 1984
Various Artists collectionsFields Of Anfield Road, 2009
Length3:17

First known performance:
December 22, 1983, London, England (late show)
Last known performance:
February 28, 2020, Liverpool, England
     (13 known performances)


Alternate versions

Turning The Town Red (Demo)
Performed byElvis Costello
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocal, guitar
RecordedDecember 1983, Eden Studios, London
ReleasedJuly 26, 2004
AlbumsGoodbye Cruel World (Rhino/Edsel reissue), 2004
Length3:36
I Wanna Be Loved singleI Wanna Be Loved UK 7" single front sleeve.jpg

The Only Flame In Town singleThe Only Flame In Town US 7" single front sleeve.jpg

Out Of Our IdiotOut Of Our Idiot album cover thumbnail.jpg

Girls Girls GirlsGGG album cover 300.jpg

Goodbye Cruel WorldGCW album cover large.jpg

Singles, Volume 3Singles Volume 3 album cover.jpg

Fields Of Anfield RoadLiverpool Collective Fields Of Anfield Road album cover.jpg

Covers

Template:Elvis Costello covers: Turning The Town Red

Internal links

External links