Elaborate Lives
Elton John · Other Songs - Elton John
Wild ambitions in our sights
How an affair of the heart survives
Days apart and hurried nights
Seems quite unbelievable to me
I don't want to live like that
Seems quite unbelievable to me
I don't want to love like that
I just want our time to be
Slower and gentler, wiser, free
We all live in extravagant times
Playing games we can't all win
Unintended emotional crimes
Take some out, take others in
I'm so tired of all we're going through
I don't want to live like that
I'm so tired of all we're going through
I don't want to love like that
I just want to be with you
Now and forever, peaceful, true
I wish, I had the courage
To tell you face to face
But I could wait forever
For the perfect time and place
We all live such elaborate lives
We don't know whose words are true
Strangers, lovers, husbands, wives
Hard to know whose loving who
Too many choices tear us apart
I don't want to live like that
Too many choices tear us apart
I don't want to love like that
I just want to touch your heart
May this confession be the start
Elaborate Lives
Elton John's "Elaborate Lives" stands as a defining track from his 1985 album, Breaking Hearts. The song captures the artist's signature blend of theatrical piano rock and introspective lyricism, reflecting on the complexities of fame and the passage of time. Released during a period where John was refining his sound to balance commercial appeal with artistic depth, the recording showcases his ability to craft emotionally resonant narratives without relying on overt pop hooks. The track remains a staple in his extensive catalogue, illustrating his enduring capacity to explore personal themes within a grand musical framework. As part of a prolific era in his career, "Elaborate Lives" contributes significantly to the understanding of his evolution as a songwriter and performer during the mid-1980s.