Elvis Costello’s “Everyday I Write the Book” takes us on a rollercoaster of emotions, mapping out a relationship’s highs and lows. It’s not just about love; it’s about the complexity of emotions and the words we use to express them. The songwriter paints a vivid picture of a relationship, using the metaphor of a book to describe the various stages. It’s bittersweet, with moments of joy and sadness, much like the chapters of a novel. Costello seems to reflect on his own experiences, perhaps considering his own relationships and how they’ve impacted him. In essence, this song is a journey, one that explores the intricacies of love and the art of writing it down.
Are you a fan of love stories? What about a love story told through a song?
“Everyday I Write the Book” Lyrics Meaning
“Don’t tell me you don’t know what love is.” Right from the first line, Costello challenges the listener, setting the tone for a song that’s about love, but not in the typical way. The lyrics flow like book pages, with each verse representing a different chapter in a relationship.
In the line “When you find strange hands in your sweater,” Costello uses a metaphor to describe the feeling of betrayal and infidelity. It’s a visceral image that conveys the shock and hurt of discovering a partner’s unfaithfulness.
The chorus is catchy and poignant: “Everyday I write the book.” It’s as if Costello is documenting each moment, each feeling, in a never-ending story of love and life. The way he sings about the longing look, the way he talks and tries to kiss—it all paints a vivid picture of intimacy and connection.
Chapter One is a bit rocky; it’s clear things aren’t perfect. By Chapter Two, love has blossomed. Yet, by the middle of Chapter Three, things start to go downhill. “You were up to your old tricks in Chapters Four, Five and Six.” It’s a clever way of showing how relationships can have their ups and downs, and sometimes, the story doesn’t go as planned.
“The way you walk, the way you talk, and try to kiss me, and laugh in four or five paragraphs.” Here, Costello again uses the metaphor of writing to describe the moments of intimacy and connection in a relationship. It’s as if he’s saying that every action, every word shared between the two, is like a story being written. He captures the bittersweet nature of love, as these moments of connection are intertwined with the inevitable arguments and misunderstandings represented by the “cutting remarks.”
“All your compliments and your cutting remarks are captured here in my quotation marks.” Here, Costello plays with words, showing how love can be both beautiful and painful. It’s all part of the story, all part of the book he’s writing everyday.
The Story Behind “Everyday I Write the Book”
When Costello penned this song, he was already an established artist, known for his clever wordplay and emotional depth. Yet, this song marked a slight shift in his style, embracing more pop elements while still maintaining his signature wit.
The state of mind he was in while writing this song could have been one of reflection, considering his relationships and how they’ve shaped him. He might have been thinking about how we all write our own love stories, in our heads or on paper, and how these stories can be both joyous and heart-wrenching.
In “Everyday I Write the Book,” Costello has created a timeless piece that resonates with anyone who’s ever been in love, felt heartbreak, or simply pondered the complexities of relationships. It’s a song that tells a story, and what a story it is.