Shabby Doll
Elvis Costello · Elvis Costello Limited Edition Collector's Box Set - Amazon.Com E [2007]
Always worked for me before
Now I'm a shabby doll
What's going on behind the green elevator door
With just a shabby doll
There's a hit man facing
A compromising situation
With just a shabby doll
And a very neat line in character assassination
She's just a shabby doll
She's just a shabby doll
She's putting him off and putting you on
She's just the shabby doll
You're swearing upon you know in your heart
She's gone you know in your heart
She's just a shabby doll
There's a girl in this dress
There's always a girl in distress
She's just a shabby doll
She's so sure she's self-possessed
Then again she's half undressed
She's just a shabby doll
The boy that I used to be
Showed no sign of sympathy
For just a shabby doll
I have betrayed you and me
And paid for my own bribery
With just a shabby doll
(chorus)
He's the tired toy that everyone enjoyed
He wants to be a fancy man but he's nothing but a nancy boy
He's all pride and no joy
And being what you might call a whore
Always worked for me before
Now I'm a shabby doll
Untie the gag the cat's out of the bag
But won't show his claws
He's just a shabby doll
She said you must be joking
Some things are left unspoken
You're just a shabby doll
He's lying limp and soaking
He was openly broken
By just a shabby doll
(chorus)
Shabby Doll
Elvis Costello's 'Shabby Doll' stands as a poignant example of his signature blend of jazz-inflected pop and sharp social commentary. Released on the 2007 collector's box set, the track exemplifies his ability to weave intricate harmonies with biting wit, a hallmark of his career spanning decades. The song reflects Costello's enduring commitment to crafting melodies that are both commercially accessible and intellectually stimulating, often drawing on themes of lost innocence and modern disillusionment. As part of his broader discography, the recording showcases his mastery of rhythm and his knack for transforming everyday observations into timeless musical statements that resonate across generations of listeners.