Today’s slow drag is with “Harpies Bizarre,” from “Mighty Like a Rose,” released in 1991. The songwriting is credited to Elvis Costello’s birthname.

Show Notes:

Appreciation written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Robinson, MA/MFA

Twitter: https://twitter.com/slowdragremedy

Email: slowdragwithremedy@gmail.com

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/slowdrag

References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, “Harpies Bizarre”: http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php/Harpies_Bizarre

“Harpies Bizarre”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yW0-7Kbo5rU

“150 Years of Harper’s Bazaar” https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a18658/history-of-harpers-bazaar/

“Cultured Pearls vs. Real Pearls” https://www.pearlsofjoy.com/blogs/blog/real-pearls-vs-cultured-pearls

“Natural vs. Cultured Pearls: Everything You Need to Know” https://www.diamonds.pro/guides/natural-vs-cultured-pearls/

“Harpyiai” https://www.theoi.com/Pontios/Harpyiai.html

“Harpy” https://mythology.net/monsters/harpy/

Purchase “The Most Terrible Time in My Life…Ends Thursday” https://www.amazon.com/Most-Terrible-Time-Life-Thursday-ebook/dp/B07XLXS5PL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Y4SGCT62WPEK&dchild=1&keywords=the+most+terrible+time+in+my+life+ends+thursday&qid=1608873405&sprefix=The+Most+Terrible+Time+in+%2Caps%2C195&sr=8-1

"Harpies Bizarre" Lyrics:

He selects the plainest face from a spiteful row of girls

Elegant insulted women, a flaw of cultured pearls

He drops a name or two, she fails to catch

At last he's met his match

Unspoiled and unaffected, he wants her so much

She puts up half-hearted resistance, like she was taught to do

She's heard some of those small town playboys but this is something new

His promise seems dangerous, she'd like to believe

He says "You'd better leave"

"You've only got yourself to blame, shame, or deceive"

The waiting lines are long

They never get too far

Everyone wearing that medal with pride

Harpies Bizarre

I looked on but hesitated, I failed to interrupt

You're so hard to tell the truth to, so easy to corrupt

I'll memorize your face, your tragic smile

The hurt look in your eyes

As you betrayed yourself to the part of him that dies

The waiting lines are long

They never get too far

They're shining up their shoes to kick a falling star

You think you should be somebody

But you don't know who you are

Everyone wearing that medal with pride

Harpies Bizarre