Quotes from Elvis Costello

The truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark. It scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark.

It's a dangerous game that comedy plays. Sometimes it tells you the truth; sometimes it delays it.

There's no such thing as an original sin.

Sometimes I write notes that I have difficulty singing.

Smokey Robinson writes the heartfelt songs, whereas it was my job to write the songs about weakness and failure in love.

I'm a working travelling musician, but just on a bigger scale.

The Internet is overrated. It's much smaller an innovation than people think it is. I don't think it's changed the way anybody makes music.

Don't tell me you don't know what love is When you're old enough to know better.

I think when I was younger I was not very good at writing love songs that didn't have a twist.

I love you more than anything in this world. I don't expect that will last.

When in doubt, play track 4 - it is usually the one you want.

It's not crazy to want to have certain songs be developed harmonically and still want to make noise with the guitar. And you can have both.

You've got a chemistry class; I want a piece of your mind; You don't know what you started when you mixed it up with mine.

I've always felt writing a song was a bit like going on location. That's true in an almost literal sense. Where you are seeps in somehow.

I don't wanna be a lover, I just wanna be your victim.

But it's easier to say 'I love you', than 'Yours, sincerely' I suppose.

Mention Hubert Sumlin, as well, because Hubert's a great man, and again, you know, I don't play the guitar very good, but when I'm playing this kind of music, I always have him in my mind. I wish I could play like Hubert.

Obviously I got known for some other songs early on, and some of those were rock'n'roll songs. Some of them were melodic pop songs. And I've done lots of different things, as you know, but every so often I get drawn back.

People become so deeply attached to the sound of one period that they blow a fuse when you move on. I've heard people complain bitterly about recordings they haven't even heard.

Maybe I just never learned my harmony part, because what everybody says sounds odd to them sounds perfectly natural to me.

You think you're alone until you realize you're in it.Now fear is here to stay, love is here for a visit.

I could say it was the nights when I was lonelyand you were the only one who'd talk.I could tell you that I like your sensitivity, when you know it's the way that you walk.

I wish you luck with a capital F.

I've been lucky to listen to lots of different types of music.