Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
“45” is a song about Elvis Costello’s life, beginning with the end of WWII 9 years prior to his birth and following him through to age 45.
“45” also refers to a 45 rpm (revolutions-per-minute) vinyl record, which is how singles were released for many years before the advent of other forms of media...
[Verse 1]
Bells are chiming for victory
There's a page back in history
45
They came back to the world that they fought for
Didn't turn out just like they thought
45
[Bridge]
Here is a song to sing
To do the measuring
What do you lose, what do you gain, what do you win?
[Verse 2]
Nine years later a child is born
There's a record, so you put it on
45
Nine years more, if we're lucky now
Nine-year-old puts his money down
45
Every scratch, every click, every heartbeat
Every breath that I held for you
45
There's a stack of shellac and vinyl
Which is yours now and which is mine?
45
[Bridge]
Here is a song to sing
To do the measuring
What do you lose, what do you gain, what do you win?
[Verse 3]
Bass and treble heal every hurt
There's a rebel in a nylon shirt
But the words are a mystery, I've heard
Till you turn it down to 33 and a third
'Cause it helps with the elocution
Corporations turn revolutions
45
[Bridge]
So don't you weep and shed
Just change your name instead
What do you lose when it all goes to your head?
[Verse 4]
I heard something peculiar said:
Perhaps he's got a shot and now he's dead
45
Bells are chiming and tears are falling
It creeps up on you without a warning
45
Every scratch, every click, every heartbeat
Every breath that I bless, I'd be lost, I confess
45
45
45
45
Yeah!
45 was written by Elvis Costello.
45 was produced by Elvis Costello & Ciarán Cahill & Leo Pearson & Kieran Lynch.
Elvis Costello & The Imposters released 45 on Tue Apr 23 2002.