Lyrics The Other End of the Telescope - Elvis Costello, The Attractions

The Other End of the Telescope

Shall we agree that just this once
I’m gonna change my life
Until it’s just as tiny or important as you like?
And in time we won’t even recall that we spoke
Words that turned out to be as big as smoke
As smoke that disappears in the air
There’s always something that’s smoldering somewhere
I know it don’t make a difference to you
But oh!
It sure made a difference to me
You’ll see me off in the distance, i hope
At the other end
At the other end of the telescope
The promise of indulgence in my confidential voice
Approached immortal danger but you’ll never know how close
Then down the hall i overheard such a heavenly choir
They interrupted my evil designs
One day you are up in the clouds
The next thing you’re down with the Sweet Adelines
Lie down baby now don’t say a word
There there baby your vision is blurred
Your head is so sore from all of that thinking
I don’t want to hurt you now
But i think you’re shrinking
You’re half-naked ambition and you’re half out of your wits
Or several tiny fractions that this portrait still omits
And it’s so hard to pick the receiver up when i call
I never noticed you could be so small
The answer was under your nose but the question never arose
I know it don’t make a difference to you
But oh!
It sure made a difference to me
Cause late in the evening as i sit here moping
With a bamboo needle on a shellac of Chopin
And the cast-iron heart that you failed to tear open
At the other end
At the other end of the telescope