I Want To Vanish

I want to vanish
This is my fondest wish
To go where I cannot be captured
Laid on a decorated dish
Even in splendor this curious fate
Is more than I care to surrender
Now it's too late

(Chorus:)
Whether in wonder or indecent haste
You arrange the mirrors and the spools
To snare the rare and precious jewels
That were only made of paste

If you should stumble upon my last remark
I'm crying in the wilderness
I'm trying my best to make it dark
How can I tell you I'm rarer than most
I'm certain as a lost dog
Pondering a sign post

(Repeat Chorus)

I want to vanish
This is my last request
I've given you the awful truth
Now give me my rest

I Want To Vanish
Written by	Elvis Costello
Performed by	Elvis Costello & Steve Nieve featuring The Brodsky Quartet
Produced by	Geoff Emerick & Elvis Costello
Arranged by	Elvis Costello & Steve Nieve
Musicians	Elvis Costello - vocal Steve Nieve - grand piano Michael Thomas - violin Ian Belton - violin Paul Cassidy - viola Jacqueline Thomas - violoncello Roy Babbington - double bass Ruth Causey - Bb clarinet Pete Whyman - bass clarinet
Recorded	August-September 1995, Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin February 1996, Westside Studios, London
Released	May 13, 1996
Albums	All This Useless Beauty, 1996
Collections	Extreme Honey: The Very Best Of The Warner Bros. Years, 1997
Promos	Selections From My Aim Is True, Spike, And All This Useless Beauty, 2001
Length	3:13

First known performance:
November 25, 1994, London, England
Last known performance:
July 17, 2004, New York, NY
(45 known performances)

Alternate versions

I Want To Vanish (Live 1996)
Performed by	Costello & Nieve
Musicians	Elvis Costello - vocal, guitar Steve Nieve - piano
Recorded	May 22, 1996, New York, NY
Released	December 3, 1996
Albums	Costello & Nieve, 1996
Promos	Live At The Supper Club, New York, 1996
Length	3:22