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Veronica Lyrics
Artist: Elvis Costello
Is it all in that pretty little head of yours?
What goes on in that place in the dark?
Well I used to know a girl and I would have
sworn that her name was Veronica
Well she used to have a carefree mind of her
own and a delicate look in her eye
These days I'm afraid she's not even sure if her
name is Veronica
Chorus:
Do you suppose, that waiting hands on eyes,
Veronica has gone to hide?
And all the time she laughs at those who shout
her name and steal her clothes
Veronica
Veronica
Did the days drag by? Did the favours wane?
Did he roam down the town all the time?
Will you wake from your dream, with a wolf at
the door, reaching out for Veronica
Well it was all of sixty-five years ago
When the world was the street where she lived
And a young man sailed on a ship in the sea
With a picture of Veronica
On the "Empress of India"
And as she closed her eyes upon the world and
picked upon the bones of last week's news
She spoke his name outloud again
Chorus
Veronica sits in her favourite chair and she sits
very quiet and still
And they call her a name that they never get
right and if they don't then nobody else will
But she used to have a carefree mind of her
own, with devilish look in her eye
Saying "You can call me anything you like, but
my name is Veronica"
Chorus
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Comments/Interpretations
I had a band at the nursing home I work at yesterday and this song was dedicated to one of our residents, veronica! She requested the lyrics and we love the song!!! Thank you for posting the lyrics!
Maureen, Youngstown Ohio
Great tune, great lyrics, great performer. I was lucky enough to catch Elvis (not his real name, I understand) in Lexington, KY a few years back, opening for Bob Dylan and wow! what a show that was. And he (E.C.) did this song, what a treat!
The first time I heard this song was in 95 thne I did not hear it again for the longest time. Some of the things are so true. I hope you all like the song.
I love this song mostly because it has my name in it!
Funny about the nursing home story. This was written about Elvis' grandmother, Veronica, who had dimentia. The song is about her (or maybe Elvis) "dealing" with it.
I've always loved this song because I think Veronica is one of the most beautiful names ever :)
I had a huge crush on a girl named Veronica in high school and this song always makes me think of her.
I have always liked this song since my grandmother's name is Veronica. It is much more poignant since we lost her to complications from Alzheimer's a couple of years ago.
i really like this song
funny how this song is totally awesome, yet it has my name in it
hard to find songs like that anymore
Correction:
"I COULD have sworn..." (if it makes any difference to anyone) and "did he roam around town all the WHILE?" but then perhaps EC sings it differently on different recordings.
His real name is Declan McManus.
a lady i once knew was called veronica. she died of a brain tuma but this song allways makes me smile and remember her.
nice song its cooller than all the bands i now
romantic nostalgia and life is beautiful.
costello is phenomenal!
I had a daughter name Veronica, she died several yrs ago. Every time I hear this song (I have it on my iPod)it makes me smile. I think of my Veronica daily "My little girl, my little pearl" who died to young...
first time i heard this song was when I met the man of my dreams. I have always loved my name but never knew there was a song with my name in it... cool song!
I like extra cheese on my pizza
luv this tune always wondered what the lyrics were...veronica is what we are calling our daughter. as a 40year old mod music from that era rocks my boat yeah man.. fanx 4 listening
nice!
My mom bought me this single song back in the 90's. Both of our names are Mary but my middle name is Veronica and I use it a lot including my email address and online user name. My mom now has Alzheimers and I never knew the meaning of this song. What a great surprise! It is really special now. Thank you, Veronica
one of those beautiful songs that just slipped by under the radar ....of course, most radio programmers probably missed the significance of the excellent lyric....and it's such a catchy melody....paul and elvis at their finest!!
I was actually named after this song. I'm still finding it quite hard to get used to. :
the lyrics is right , not many ever pronounces my name right. I do have a darkness about me that often one says " I can never figger you out" but that is the way I want it , I do not want everyone to finger me out. but " I do know who I am "
Sure, Veronica... what about Betty? Jughead? Moose?
True that Veronica is a Grandmother with dimentia, but Paul McCartney wrote the lyrics of this song. It was McCartney's grandmother, I believe, not Costello's. Either way...its a beautiful tribute.
OOPS...I was mistaken, McCartney's lyrics (co-written with Costello) but Costello's Grandmother.
Enchanting song, and I too also think of the Archie comic characters whenever I hear it.
I also work in a nursing home with a resident named Veronica. We sing this song to her all the time. Now that I read the lyrics it fits her perfectly. I have always liked Elvis Costello. Great Song.
My name is Veronica.My dad named me after this song.He just liked it.
i think this song is great i never realised wat it was about.. i first heard it when my dad downloaded it on my laptop and played it :) funnily enough my dad picked my name i hope he got it from this song :)
Just saw Elvis perfom tonight in St Kilda, Aus, he played Veronica and this is my favourite EC song. Written about his grandma. Just wanted to read the lyrics. Great performer.
Sad story about the nursing home but oh so fitting...this song makes me cry and think of my mum who died of altzheimers...thanks for posting
wow didn't think they would have a song named Veronica, cuz I think my name is pretty rare to hear, but that's why I love my name and this song is pretty sad but good :)
Wow,I heard this the other day for the first time in years......always loved this song! I,too work in a nursing home now (on a dementia unit) and it reminds me sooo much of my residents......
Have always loved this tune but only recently really took time to listen carefully to the lyrics. My father is in memory care and it reminds me so of the ladies there... i love the line about those who shout her name and steal her clothes. I hope some of those with dementia get to trick us once in a while! It's always nice to remember they lived beautiful young lives. Thanks Elvis!
I played this song in a cover band about 8 years ago. I have since then met and become very enamored of a beautiful woman named Veronica who while she is not really like Veronica in the song, she is quite mysterious, and in a very alluring way. I have started to play the song as a solo guitar instrumental. I tried it slow, but it works better fast, like the original. I think the production is awesome and it sounds to me like a verrry good modern take on 60's Brit-pop. How much of a collaboration did McCartney have?
I was actually named after this song in 1989. My mom really liked this song
I started to hear this song since the last year, I'm 15 but anyway I like so much Elvis Costello, & I really really like this song, & I love that fact that my name is in it hahahaha :P And I think this song have everything good tune, good rithm & of course, good lyrics :D
There's no telling how much McCartney wrote and how much Costello wrote, but I always assumed the lyrics were mostly Elvis' since it's about his grandmother. Amazing how many Veronicas commented on this... you all have a very beautiful name!
I used to always hear this song on the radio in 89, I never knew what it meant until years later.Fro me it was always was and still is a pleasant song to hear.
My youngest sister just had her third daughter and named her Veronica. I'm sure she'd heard the song but I'm pretty sure she chose the name because she loves it. Personally I know only 2 other Veronicas, which, to me, is what makes it cool. It's what you'd call an "off the beaten path name". Parents, if you're looking for unusual but pretty names, consider some of the oldies but goodies and stay away from the trendy made up shit.
My teacher told me about this song, so embarrassing. But its niceeeee:) I guess.
Seems EC does mix his lyrics a bit. Just heard it today. There was certainly something about a little pill in the last verse.
Just saw Elvis at Byron Bay Bluesfest played after Dylan and shone bright! No Veronica here but did here but he did play it in Sydney 09. Fabulous! I've always loved it but since my Mother spent her last two months in a Nursing Home it has real poignancy.
HI,
just found this song during a couple of bored minutes in the office.. Never knew there's such a pretty song out for us Veronikas! LOVE IT!!! And some of the lyrics, just fit so well to what I'm now and what I will be like in 60 years :)
Elvis Costello is a genius song writer and singer. He Rocks!
I love this song especially because it features my name and because I had a very close relationship with my Nana and Oma. It is a very special tune.
just heard this song for the first time :) it makes me happy to have a song with my name in it.
After two unknown people mentioned this song in the same day I had to look for it.. It's my name and I love it because it's not too common
I have always love this song, I remember he first time I heard it I was in my room writing in my journal--looking out my bedroom window..memories =)
Can't help but to mention McCartney's contribution to this song. You can also hear him playing bass in the background.
I'm 65 and have been Veronica only to my parents (when they were upset with me) and the nuns and priests at the Catholic school I attended. Never knew about this song until my pharmacist told me about it a week or two ago! Thanks Ken. BTW, I've preferred Veronica to Ronnie for the past several years. So much more dignified for an "old" woman than Ronnie. Years ago folks would mention Veronica Lake, a movie star, as having the same name. The name seems to be coming into popularity now, perhaps because of this song!
I met a girl named Veronica the other day and it reminded me of this "old" song. I never knew what it was about until I saw the video. It helps to listen to the lyrics once in a while I told myself. Anyway, my mother is slipping away with Alzheimer Disease. It was like I heard the song for the very first time. I really listened this time and cried my eyes out.
We named one of our twin daughters Veronica in honor of this song (& because I always loved the name). My father passed away 3 years ago from complications with dementia. Without my inheritence from him, we never would have been able to afford the IVF procedures which helped us conceive our two perfect, beautiful daughters. Love you Elvis, Paul and Diana (Krall)
One of elvis's best and in collaberation with macca.Great lyrics/melody and Paul plays bass on the track
my sisterveronica died over 2 years ago, from alzeimers,she was 56. I never heard this song until a year ago, when I was shopping at old navy, it blew my mind, it still grabs at my heart everytime I hear it.
my sister veronica died over 2 yrs. ago, she was 57, she had alzeimers for about 9 yrs. I never heard this siong before until one day last year I heard it while shopping at old navy, it blew my mind...now every time I hear it , it still grabs at my heart and makes me cry...great song.
We named our daughter after this song and after the great actress Veronica Lake. Great tune by great artists.
Funny thing about pop culture: Ignore it at your peril! I first heard it only recently on my friend's "Alexa," and for someone who only listens to classical music, it was impressive. Of course, learning it comes from Costello & McCartney explains a lot--such talent! BTW, I'm named after my great grandmother: an honor in itself.