Veronica
Elvis Costello
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Is it all in that pretty little head of yours? What goes on in that place in the dark? Well I used to know a girl and I could have sworn That her name was Veronica Well she used to have a carefree mind of her own And a delicate look in her eye These days I'm afraid she's not even sure If her name is Veronica Do you suppose, that waiting hands on eyes, Veronica has gone to hide? And all the time she laughs at those who shout Her name and steal her clothes Veronica Veronica Did the days drag by? Did the favors wane? Did he roam down the town all the while? Will you wake from your dream, with a wolf at the door, Reaching out for Veronica Well it was all of sixty-five years ago When the world was the street where she lived And a young man sailed on a ship in the sea With a picture of Veronica On the "Empress of India" And as she closed her eyes upon the world And picked upon the bones of last week's news She spoke his name out loud again Do you suppose, that waiting hands on eyes, Veronica has gone to hide? And all the time she laughs at those who shout Her name and steal her clothes Veronica Veronica Veronica sits in her favorite chair And she sits very quiet and still And they call her a name that they never get right And if they don't then nobody else will But she used to have a carefree mind of her own With devilish look in her eye Saying "You can call me anything you like, But my name is Veronica" Do you suppose, that waiting hands on eyes, Veronica has gone to hide? And all the time she laughs at those who shout Her name and steal her clothes Veronica Veronica Oh Veronica
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Written by: GRANT FITCH, MARK HENNESSY
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
CollaborationElvis Costello and Paul McCartney wrote the song 'Veronica' together in the late 1980s, fusing Costello’s unique writing style with McCartney’s flair for melodious tunes.
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InspirationThe song was inspired by Costello's grandmother who had Alzheimer's disease. "Veronica" was meant to provide an insight into the mind of someone living with this condition.
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Album Placement"Veronica" appeared on Costello's 1989 album, "Spike," which became his most commercially successful album due to this particular hit.
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Charts Achievement“Veronica” became Costello's highest-charting solo hit in United States, peaking at No.19 on Billboard Hot 100 in 1989.
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Grammy NominationsDespite being a commercial success, "Veronica" did not win any Grammy awards, but it was nominated in the category of 'Best Male Pop Vocal Performance' in 1990.
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Music VideoThe music video for "Veronica" features Costello performing the song in a variety of settings, while narrating a story about an elderly woman's memories. Costello's ability to portray the emotional depth of the song in the video was praised by critics.
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Song MeaningsThe song's lyrics discuss the fading memory of an elderly woman, named Veronica. It paints a poignant picture of how those with Alzheimer's might see the world and their own experiences, starkly symbolizing the impact of the disease.
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Paul McCartney ContributionMcCartney’s work on "Veronica" was significant. He contributed to the song’s structure, arrangement, and melody, as well as playing bass and singing backing vocals on the studio recording.
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Album Collaboration"Veronica" is one of several collaborations between Costello and McCartney that appeared on "Spike." Other songs written by the pair for the album include "Pads, Paws and Claws" and "This Town."
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Latest PerformanceCostello continues to perform the song during his concerts illustrating the enduring popularity of "Veronica" among his fans. In 2015, during an appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," he performed a solo acoustic version of the song.
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"Veronica Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/4018685/Elvis+Costello/Veronica>.
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