Joe Porterhouse
Elvis Costello · Elvis Costello Limited Edition Collector's Box Set - Amazon.Com E [2007]
High above a valley of tears
Don't let them see you crying that way oh no
Oh no Joe Porterhouse
Is not gone forever
He'll be back another day
Don't let them see you crying that way
Please don't wake him let him sleep
It's a moment she can keep
Like an old bus ticket or a photograph
Resting on the mantlepiece
While for the wicked there is no peace
She says it's not his time to go
Why we were nearly lovers years ago
Now what is left for me
Among the broken branches of the family tree
Heart like an anchor
Arms like cable
He stood all alone on an iron turntable
Don't let them see you crying that way oh no
The sun beats down
It's cracking the flags
Boys who should know better
Are stamping out fags
Don't let them see you laughing that way
Please don't wake him let him sleep
It's a moment she can keep
Like an old bus ticket or a photograph
Resting on the mantlepiece
While for the wicked there is no peace
She says it's not his time to go
Why we were nearly lovers years ago
Now what is left for me
Among the broken branches of the family tree
Oh no Joe Porterhouse
Is not gone forever
He'll be back another day
Don't let them see you crying that way
Joe Porterhouse
Elvis Costello's "Joe Porterhouse" stands as a quintessential example of his mid-career brilliance, blending sharp lyricism with a driving, propulsive rhythm section. Recorded during a period where Costello was refining his songwriting craft, the track exemplifies his signature style: a fusion of British pop sensibilities with complex harmonic structures and a distinct, often melancholic vocal delivery. The song captures the restless energy of the era, utilizing a tight arrangement that highlights the interplay between Costello's intricate melodies and the band's rhythmic precision. As a standalone piece, it showcases his ability to craft narratives that are both intimate and universally relatable, cementing his reputation as a master of the art song within the rock genre.