BRILLIANT MISTAKE ELVIS COSTELLO
G F Am G
G D
He thought he was the King of America
C G D
Where they pour Coca Cola just like vintage wine
G D
Now I try hard not to become hysterical
C G D
But I'm not sure if I am laughing or crying
C
I wish that I could push a button
F
And talk in the past and not the present tense
C
And watch this hurtin' feeling disappear
F Em
Like it was common sense
G C G C
It was a fine idea at the time
G D G Am G/B C
Now it's a brilliant mistake
G Am G/B C G Am G/B C C G/B Am G
She said that she was working for the ABC News
It was as much of the alphabet as she knew how to use
Her perfume was unspeakable
It lingered in the air
Like her artificial laughter
Her mementos of affairs
"Oh" I said "I see you know him"
"Isn't that very fortunate for you"
And she showed me his calling card
He came third or fourth and there were more than one or two
He was a fine idea at the time
Now he's a brilliant mistake
He thought he was the King of America
But it was just a boulevard of broken dreams
A trick they do with mirrors and with chemicals
The words of love in whispers
And the axe of love in screams
I wish that I could push a button
And talk in the past and not the present tense
And watch this lovin' feeling disappear
Like it was common sense
I was a fine idea at the time
Now I'm a brilliant mistake
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The above is solely MY INTERPRETATION of this great song, in a format aimed at learning guitarists.
No attempt has been made to copy or reproduce the artist's or publisher's sheet music for the song,
if such exists.
It can be used for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. To play the song as it should be played, you should
purchase the official sheetmusic for the song. You should also purchase and listen to the song to learn
the rhythm and timing of the song - this is essential if you wish to play the song with any degree of accuracy
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