The truth can’t hurt you, it’s just like the dark. It scares you witless but with time you see things clear and stark - Elvis Costello

The first song that most people picked up on, particularly in America, of mine, was a ballad, not a rock'n'roll song. It was 'Alison', and that's an R&B ballad. I don't think there's any other way to describe it.

I took my better nature out, drowned it in a babbling stream/took the blossom of my youth and blew it all to smithereens.

There was no way to go back. Time and the wrecking ball have taken care of the rest.