Brilliant Mistake Lyrics - King Of America - Elvis Costello

He thought he was the King of America 

Where they pour Coca Cola just like vintage wine 

Now I try hard not to become hysterical 

But I'm not sure if I am laughing or crying 

I wish that I could push a button 

And talk in the past and not the present tense 

And watch this hurtin' feeling 

Disappear like it was common sense 

It was a fine idea at the time 

Now it's a brilliant mistake 

She said that she was working for the ABC News 

It was as much of the alphabet as she knew how to use 

Her perfume was unspeakable, it lingered in the air 

Like her artificial laughter, her mementos of affairs 

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"Oh", I said, "I see you know him 

Isn't that very fortunate for you?" 

And she showed me his calling card 

He came third or fourth and there were more than one or two 

He was a fine idea at this time 

Now he's a brilliant mistake 

He thought he was the King of America 

But it was just a boulevard of broken dreams 

A trick they do with mirrors and with chemicals 

The words of love in whispers and the acts of love in screams 

I wish that I could push a button 

And talk in the past and not the present tense 

And watch this lovin' feeling 

Disappear like it was common sense 

Photos 

I was a fine idea at the time 

Now I'm a brilliant mistake 

I was a fine idea at the time 

Now I'm a brilliant mistake