This Year's Girl
Elvis Costello · Elvis Costello Limited Edition Collector's Box Set - Amazon.Com E [2007]
'Cause she's this year's girl
You think you all own little pieces
Of this year's girl
Forget your fancy manners
Forget your English grammar
'Cause you don't really give a damn
About this year's girl
Still you're hoping that she's well spoken
'Cause she's this year's girl
You want her broken with her mouth wide open
'Cause she's this year's girl
Never knowing it's a real attraction
All these promises of satisfaction
While she's being bored to distraction
Being this year's girl
Time's running out
She's not happy with the cost
There'd be no doubt
Only she's forgotten much more than she's lost
A bright spark might corner the market
In this year's girl
You see yourself rolling on the carpet
With this year's girl
Those disco synthesizers
Those daily tranquilizers
Those body building prizes
Those bedroom alibis
All this, but no surprises for this year's girl
All this, but no surprises for this year's girl
All this, but no surprises for this year's girl
This Year's Girl
This Year's Girl stands as a defining track from Elvis Costello's early punk-inflected period, showcasing his sharp wit and melodic precision. Recorded during the height of his initial breakthrough, the song captures the restless energy and social observation that characterized his debut era. Costello's delivery blends biting sarcasm with genuine emotional undercurrents, a hallmark of his songwriting style that would influence countless new wave and rock artists. The recording features the tight, driving arrangements typical of his work with The Attractions, emphasizing rhythmic urgency and lyrical density. As part of a broader discography that spans decades of experimentation, this track remains a testament to Costello's ability to craft concise, impactful narratives within the confines of a standard pop structure.