Alison
Love, Loss, and Life: Decoding Elvis Costello's 'Allison'
Lyrics
Oh, it's so funny to be seeing you after so long, girl
Expresses amusement or irony at reuniting with the girl after a long time.
And with the way you look, I understand that you were not impressed
Acknowledges that the girl is not impressed based on her appearance.
But I heard you let that little friend of mine
Refers to a past encounter where a friend took off the girl's party dress.
Take off your party dress
Implies a sense of familiarity or intimacy between the speaker's friend and the girl.
I'm not gonna get too sentimental
Declares an intention not to become overly emotional or nostalgic.
Like those other sticky valentines
Compares the speaker's attitude to sentimental valentines, distancing from emotional displays.
'Cause I don't know if you are loving somebody
Expresses uncertainty about whether the girl is in love with someone, clarifying it's not the speaker.
I only know it isn't mine
Emphasizes the speaker's lack of possession or claim on the girl.
Allison, I know this world is killing you
Addresses the girl named Allison, recognizing the challenges she faces in the world.
Oh, Allison, my aim is true
Asserts that the speaker's intentions or feelings towards Allison are genuine and accurate.
Well, I see you've got a husband now
Observes that Allison is now married and questions if her husband mistreated her.
Did he leave your pretty fingers lying in the wedding cake?
Suggests a possible negative incident at the wedding, involving Allison's fingers and the wedding cake.
You used to hold him right in your hand
Recalls a time when Allison held her husband in high regard, but he reached a breaking point.
But it took all that he could take
Indicates the strain or difficulty in Allison's marriage.
Sometimes I wish that I could stop you from talking
Expresses a desire to stop Allison from saying foolish things.
When I hear the silly things that you say
Highlights the speaker's discomfort with Allison's words.
I think somebody better put out the big light
Suggests turning off a metaphorical "big light" to spare Allison embarrassment or scrutiny.
'Cause I can't stand to see you this way
Conveys the speaker's aversion to witnessing Allison in a distressed or vulnerable state.
Allison, I know this world is killing you
Reiterates the acknowledgment of the challenges Allison faces in the world.
Oh, Allison, my aim is true
Restates the sincerity of the speaker's intentions towards Allison.
My aim is true
Repeated affirmation of the speaker's genuine and true aim or feelings towards Allison.
My aim is true
-My aim is true
-My aim is true
-My aim is true
-My aim is true
-My aim is true
-My aim is true
-My aim is true
-My aim is true
-My aim is true
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