A day in the life of an Ohioan turned New Yorker
Published on June 29, 2005 By alison watkins In Misc
Okay, maybe this article is not about understanding me, "per se," but I have always been interested in figuring out what exacty lurks behind the lyrics of the song, "Alison," by Elvis Costello.

My thoughts are in parenthesis


Oh it's so funny to be seeing you after so long, girl.
And with the way you look I understand
that you are not impressed.
(Elvis unexpectedly runs into Alison, his former love, and she acts aloof, yet meloncoly)
But I heard you let that little friend of mine
take off your party dress.
(They broke up because she cheated on him)
I'm not going to get too sentimental
like those other sticky valentines,
'cause I don't know if you've been loving somebody.
I only know it isn't mine.
(He wants to profess his love, but knows that she has moved on)

Alison, I know this world is killing you.
Oh, Alison, my aim is true.
(he sees Alison's sadness in her eyes and wants her to understand that his love for her still exists; hence "my aim is true")

Well I see you've got a husband now.
Did he leave your pretty fingers lying
in the wedding cake?
(Elvis sees that Alison is in an unhappy marriage with this man)
You used to hold him right in your hand.
I'll bet he took all he could take.
(She was possessive and looking for acceptance, and this man couldn't give her what she wanted)
Sometimes I wish that I could stop you from talking
when I hear the silly things that you say.
(Alison says dark thoughts about her place in the world)
I think somebody better put out the big light,
cause I can't stand to see you this way.
(Elvis wants to show Alison how powerful she is, and he hates how she thinks of herself)

Alison, I know this world is killing you.
Oh, Alison, my aim is true.
My aim is true.
(See what I posted above)

What do you guys think?







Comments
on Jun 30, 2005
Wow, what a diverse way at looking at this song. Two totally different points of view!

I don't see it as him wanting to kill her tough, more is sad and meloncoly because she cheated and they're not together anymore.


"Sometimes I wish that I could stop you from talking
when I hear the silly things that you say.
I think somebody better put out the big light,
cause I can't stand to see you this way
.

Alison, I know this world is killing you.
Oh, Alison, my aim is true
.
My aim is true.

I can see why you say he wants to kill her though Whip.

I'm hoping is "aim is true" is not the thought of him putting a gun to her head but rather, saying that his intention to get her out of the situation she is in, the unhappy relationship even though she hurt him, is what he really wants to do.

That's my take...
on Jun 30, 2005
I interpreted it the same way as Sabrina before I read Sabrina's interpretation.
It's kinda creepy.
on Jun 30, 2005
I'm sure no one interprets a monet painting or beethoven symphony the same way, either.
on Jul 01, 2005
When a person was facing beheading by ax, they would pray that the executioner's aim was true, in other words, that he could finish them off with a single stroke...mercifully and without hacking or sawing.


Yep, I see your point!


It's kinda creepy.



Creepy!!!