Beyond Belief

History repeats the old conceits
The glib replies, the same defeats
Keep your finger on important issues
With crocodile tears and a pocketful of tissues

I'm just the oily slick
On the windup world of the nervous tick
In a very fashionable hovel

I hang around dying to be tortured
You'll never be alone in the bone orchard
This battle with the bottle is nothing so novel

So in this almost empty gin palace
Through a two-way looking glass
You see your Alice

You know she has no sense
For all your jealousy
In a sense she still smiles very sweetly

Charged with insults and flattery
Her body moves with malice
Do you have to be so cruel to be callous

And now you find you fit this identikit completely
You say you have no secrets
And then leave discreetly

I might make it California's fault
Be locked in Geneva's deepest vault
Just like the canals of Mars and the Great Barrier Reef
I come to you beyond belief

My hands were clammy and cunning
She's been suitably stunning
But I know there's not a hope in Hades
All the laddies cat call and wolf whistle
So-called gentlemen and ladies
Dog fight like rose and thistle

I've got a feeling
I'm going to get a lot of grief
Once this seemed so appealing
Now I am beyond belief

I've got a feeling
I'm going to get a lot of grief
Once this seemed so appealing
Now I am beyond belief

Beyond Belief
Written by	Elvis Costello
Performed by	Elvis Costello
Produced by	Geoff Emerick from an original idea by Elvis Costello
Musicians	Elvis Costello - vocals, electric guitar Steve Nieve - keyboards Bruce Thomas - bass Pete Thomas - drums
Recorded	November 1981, AIR Studios, London
Released	July 2, 1982
Albums	Imperial Bedroom, 1982
Singles	Green Shirt, 1985 London's Brilliant Parade, 1994
Collections	The Best Of Elvis Costello & The Attractions, 1985 The Man (The Best Of Elvis Costello), 1985 Girls Girls Girls, 1989 The Very Best Of Elvis Costello & The Attractions, 1994 The Very Best Of Elvis Costello, 1999 The Best Of Elvis Costello The First 10 Years, 2007
Promos	A Conversation With Elvis Costello, 1982 F-Beat EC-2, 1982 Man Out Of Time, 1982