Elvis Costello – Good Year For The Roses lyrics

Elvis Costello – Good Year For The Roses lyrics

I can hardly bear the sight of lipstick on the cigarettes there in the ashtray
Lyin cold the way you left em, but at least your lips caressed them while
You packed
Or the lip-print on a half-filled cup of coffee that you poured and didn't drink
But at least you thought you wanted it, that's so much more than I can say
For me

What a good year for the roses
Many blooms still linger there
The lawn could stand another mowin
Funny I don't even care
As you turn to walk away
As the door behind you closes
The only thing I have to say
Its been a good year for the roses

After three full years of marriage, it's the first time that you haven't
Made the bed
I guess the reason were not talkin, there's so little left to say we
Haven't said
While a million thoughts go racin through my mind, I find I haven't said a word
>from the bedroom the familiar sound of a babys cryin goes unheard

What a good year for the roses
Many blooms still linger there
The lawn could stand another mowin
Funny I don't even care
As you turn to walk away
As the door behind you closes
The only thing I have to say
Its been a good year for the roses

Lyrics taken from /lyrics/e/elvis_costello/good_year_for_the_roses.html

Songwriters: JERRY CHESNUT

Good Year For The Roses lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Unregistered 2012-06-15 22:24:48

The first two lines show a wanting - lipstick on the cigarettes and the coffee cup - at least she thought she wanted it, which was more than what she wanted from him. When she walks out, his heart is so empty and broken and sad, all he can focus on is a simple thing of happiness left - that it was a good year for the roses. But the roses don't bring him comfort, which is why he doesn't even care.

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Darcyo 2011-07-15 18:13:16

This is a break up song. An air of resignation about the parting of his wife, almost as though he half expected her to go. Maybe he hasn't been such great shakes as a faithful husband. With such a trumatic event happening, and the enormity of the break up and the posibility of bringing up his child on his own crowding in on him. A little way of easing the pain is to think of something nice and positive. The garden.

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