Black And White World

by Elvis Costello

From the album: Taking Liberties

Track 5 of 20 on Taking Liberties (1980).

Duration: 1:49

Taking Liberties cover art

Lyrics for Black And White World

I was looking at the black and white world It seemed so exciting If you'd only put me back to back with that girl When the night's inviting With just a little lighting There'll never be days like that again When I was just a boy and men were men You never go from moment to moment You're the living double of a single fiction You're very colourful with your compliments As you feel the finger's friction It's a freeze-frame Still it's real life You don't want to look Cause you've seen the film and you've read the book I was looking at the black and white world Trying to name some pin-up Those days she was just a beautiful girl Now she's framed and hung up I thought she was young Up until I saw her last night in close detail Though they all fade away when you're so pale It's more than just a physical attraction It starts with a face and ends up a fixation But you're never gonna feel a fraction Of the way it used to work on your imagination When you were looking at the black and white world...

Listen On

More from Taking Liberties

  1. Clean Money
  2. Girls Talk
  3. Talking In The Dark
  4. Radio Sweetheart
  5. Black And White World
  6. Big Tears
  7. Just A Memory
  8. Night Rally
  9. Stranger In The House
  10. Clowntime Is Over - Version 2
  11. Getting Mighty Crowded
  12. Hoover Factory
  13. Tiny Steps
  14. (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea
  15. Dr. Luther's Assistant
  16. Sunday's Best
  17. Crawling To The U.S.A.
  18. Wednesday Week
  19. My Funny Valentine
  20. Ghost Train