Music Video

The Boy Named If (Memphis Magnetic Version)
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Featured In

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Vocals
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Performer
Davey Faragher
Davey Faragher
Bass
Charlie Sexton
Charlie Sexton
Guitar
Pete Thomas
Pete Thomas
Drums
Steve Nieve
Steve Nieve
Keyboards
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Composer
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Sebastián Krys
Sebastián Krys
Producer
Daniel "Vago" Galindo
Daniel "Vago" Galindo
Recording Engineer
Scott McEwan
Scott McEwan
Recording Engineer
Frank Farrell
Frank Farrell
Recording Engineer
Michelle Pettinato
Michelle Pettinato
Recording Engineer
Jett Galindo
Jett Galindo
Mastering Engineer

Lyrics

I'm a lucky so and so
A fortunate stiff
You said you'd never knew me
But I'm the one you want to be with
If I tumble from a tightrope
Or leap from a cliff
I won't be dashed to pieces
I'm the boy named If
If I disappear and I slipper from your view
I just step upon a crack and I won't come back
Imagine me
And I'll imagine you too
In a hollow of the bed sheet
Or a picture in a frame
I'm vivid as a summer's day
Then never seen again
Who'll pay the taxman?
Who'll place the blame?
Who'll point into an empty room
And whisper my name?
If I disappear and I slipper from your viеw
You will step upon a crack and I won't come back
Imagine mе
And I'll imagine you too
Take my hand
We'll go to Magic Lantern Land
Take my hand
See the pictures they've projected
Take my hand
We'll fill our pockets up with sand
Dance in frantic passes
'Til the grains all turn to glasses
Drums begin to navigate
The band strikes up a riff
No one will believe you
But the boy named If
Who'll pay your entrance fee?
Who'll leave a tip?
Who'll say, "Listen here, Sunshine
Don't you give me no lip"?
Who broke your favourite heart?
Who stops and never starts?
Who kiss you stupid?
It must be something you did
Who'll keep you satisfied
After a lover's tiff?
It must be some other guy
Not the boy named If
If I disappear and I slipper from your view
You will step upon a crack and I won't come back
Imagine me
And I'll imagine you too
Take my hand
We'll go to Magic Lantern Land
Take my hand
See the pictures we've projected
Take my hand
We'll fill our pockets up with sand
Dance in frantic passes
'Til the grains all turn to glasses
Written by: Elvis Costello
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