The Imposter

Trying to be too bad
Trying to talk too tough
Trying to jack the lad
You'd think he'd had enough
But he's not the man you'd think that he can be
I just don't know why you can't see
That he is only the imposter
That he is only the imposter

You've never been this far
You've always been too smart
And you know all our boys
Are really girls at heart
And he's not the man you'd think that he can be
I just don't know why you can't see
That he is only the imposter
That he is only the imposter

When I said that I was lying, I might have been lying
Never let me hear you say you're not trying

This is your big decision
Hope you're not disappointed
He's got double vision
When you want him double jointed
And he's not the man you'd think that he can be
I just don't know why you can't see
The imposter

He'll only bring you souvenirs
It's only gonna end in tears
And he is only the imposter
And he is only the imposter

The Imposter
Written by	Elvis Costello
Performed by	Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Produced by	Nick Lowe
Musicians	Elvis Costello - vocals, guitar Steve Nieve - keyboards Bruce Thomas - bass Pete Thomas - drums
Recorded	October 1979, Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, Netherlands and/or Eden Studios, London
Released	February 1980
Albums	Get Happy!!, 1980
Promos	Get Happy!! (Promo Album), 1980
Length	1:57

First known performance:
December 13, 1979, Badalona, Spain
Last known performance:
December 12, 2013, Tokyo, Japan
(63 known performances)

Alternate versions

The Imposter (Live 1979)
Performed by	Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Produced by	Chris Thomas
Musicians	Elvis Costello - vocal, guitar Steve Nieve - keyboards Bruce Thomas - bass Pete Thomas - drums
Recorded	December 29, 1979, London, England
Released	March 27, 1981
Albums	Get Happy!! (Rhino/Edsel reissue), 2003
Various Artists collections	Concerts For The People Of Kampuchea, 1981
Length	2:11