American Without Tears - Elvis Costello

Outside in New Orleans the heat was almost frightening

But my hotel room as usual was freezing and unkind

On TV they prosecute anyone who’s exciting

So I put on my overcoat and went down to find

In Revlon and Crimplene they captured my heart

To the strain of a piano and a cocktail murderess

She was singing that «It's Too Late», I agreed with that part

For two English girls who had changed their address

Now it seems we’ve been crying for years and for years

Now I don’t speak any English, just American without tears

Just American without tears

One had been a beauty queen and the other was her friend

They had known rogues and rascals and showbiz impresarios

While the boys were licking Hitler they had something to defend

From men armed with chewing gum and fine nylon hose

By a bicycle factory as they sounded the siren

And returned into the dance hall she knew he was the one

Though he wasn’t tall or handsome she laughed when he told her

«I'm the Sheriff of Nottingham and this is Little John»

At a dock in Southampton full of tearful goodbyes

Newsreel commentators said «Cheerio, G.I.

brides»

Soon they’ll be finding the cold facts and lies

New words for suspenders and young girls backsides

Now I’m in America and running from you

Like my grandfather before me walked the streets of New York

And I think of all the women I pretend mean more than you

When I open my mouth and I can’t seem to talk