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Alison Lyrics

Artist: Elvis Costello
Album: My Aim Is True

Oh, it's so funny to be seeing you after so long, girl
And with the way you look, I understand that you were not impressed
But I heard you let that little friend of mine
Take off your party dress
I'm not gonna get too sentimental
Like those other sticky valentines
'Cause I don't know if you are loving some body
I only know it isn't mine

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

Well, I see you've got a husband now
Did he leave your pretty fingers lying in the wedding cake?
You used to hold him right in your hand
I bet he took all that he could take
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
My aim is true
(REPEAT AND FADE)

Comments/Interpretations

by A Vh1 classic on 5/10/2008 10:42am
Billie Joe Armstrong performed this song on VH1

by Harmony on 10/2/2008 2:40pm
One of the best songs ever

by lj wilson on 12/17/2008 10:22am
I want to hear this song

by LJ on 12/18/2008 10:20am
want to hear Alison by elvis costell

by ... on 4/17/2009 4:35pm
i'm named after this song

by Allison Butler on 4/29/2009 9:46am
I think this must be the only song ever written with my name in it. Well done Elvis

by Alison on 10/9/2009 8:53pm
Actually there are over 20 songs with this name in the title. It's pretty much amazing.

by bja looover on 1/4/2010 3:26am
omg that�s why i download that song
billie performed that song wt elvis :D

by zoom on 11/15/2010 3:41pm
Makes me laugh how people think this is a love song - read the lyrics...

by Mack on 1/17/2011 7:56pm
Zoom, not all love songs are happy. Some are about failed love, love unfulfilled. It's a beautiful love song.

by Linda on 3/3/2011 8:28pm
I think that Allison has a few mental health issues, its always sad to see the ones you love suffering and they do seem to say a lot of crazy things

by Allison091011 on 5/28/2011 8:56pm
I'd never heard of this song until today. A friend (guy I used to date) of mine had me look up the lyrics....now...I know how he's feeling....It's a beautifuly broken love song.

by Damon on 6/11/2011 3:14pm
I agree, this is a 'love song', unrequited as love crushes often are. I think 'Alison' turned down the singer, went with the 'bad boy'?, and he sings that her choices are slowly destroying her. He obviously still loves her. Could she have been happy with him? Maybe... I have met many Alisons.

by Paige on 8/24/2011 9:51pm
Wow this reminds me of Pretty Little Liars <3

by jsfueston on 3/6/2012 10:49pm
Saw him sing this with Sting live this sumer. Amazing. Would have been better without sting bring to steal the limelight, though. Elvis can handle his own.

by otisbright on 4/25/2012 10:33pm
unrequited love song yes, but very dark.
"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"
he's clearly talking murder here. plus that whole "my aim is true" bit.

by Cleveboy on 4/29/2012 8:50pm
Otisbright' murder interpretation make no sense given the rest of the song. He is just saying, turn out the lights, let's go, I don't want to talk about this anymore. He loves her - he doesn't want to murder her. She married someone elese and she is not happy.

by Donster on 5/12/2012 8:19am
I'm gonna sing this song tonight at my bro's surprise 50th birthday party...I don't sing ever, except in the car with the windows up...along with elvis singing Alison on the cd player!!

by billy on 4/10/2014 4:25pm
Linda Ronstadt did the definitive version of this song back in the 80's. Sad that she cant sing it for us again

by Jp on 9/22/2014 12:38pm
Sorry Billy Linda's version is just a pale copy of elvis' phrasing with a slightly prettier voice. She is even overpowered by the backing vocal in the chorus. The original stiff single with John McPhee on lead guitar is gorgeous.