The Fall Of The World's Own Optimist

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 by Elvis Costello & Aimee Mann Performed by Elvis Costello Musicians Elvis Costello - vocal, piano Recorded ca. 1994, unknown location Released August 21, 2001 Albums All This Useless Beauty (Rhino reissue), 2001 Length 2:32 First known performance:      (1 known performances) Aimee Mann version The Fall Of The World's Own Optimist Performed by Aimee Mann Produced by Jon Brion Musicians Aimee 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 Albums Bachelor No. 2 (Limited Preview Edition), 1999 Bachelor No. 2, 2000 Length 3:06

Covers

Aimee Mann

Bachelor No. 2

1999

Discogs  •  Amazon

Aimee Mann

performed live, 2003-03-27, EC tribute, Knitting Factory, Los Angeles

2003

archive.org

Internal links

• Lyrics  •  Alternate lyrics  •  Covers

External links

• Elvis Costello Reissues: All This Useless Beauty
• Modes of Expression in the Songs of Aimee Mann: Thesis 2008