Elvis Costello - Brilliant Mistake lyrics

He thought he was the king of america<br>Where they pour coca cola just like vintage wine<br>Now I try hard not to become hysterical<br>But I'm not sure if I am laughing or crying<br>I wish that I could push a button<br>And talk in the past and not the present tense<br>And watch this hurtin' feeling disappear<br>Like it was common sense<br>It was a fine idea at the time<br>Now it's a brilliant mistake<br><br>She said that she was working for the abc news<br>It was as much of the alphabet as she knew how to use<br>Her perfume was unspeakable<br>It lingered in the air<br>Like her artificial laughter<br>Her mementos of affairs<br>Oh I said I see you know him<br>Isn't that very fortunate for you<br>And she showed me his calling card<br>He came third or fourth and there were more than one or two<br>He was a fine idea at the time<br>Now he's a brilliant mistake<br><br>He thought he was the king of america<br>But it was just a boulevard of broken dreams<br>A trick they do with mirrors and with chemicals<br>The words of love in whispers<br>And the axe of love in screams<br>I wish that I could push a button<br>And talk in the past and not the present tense<br>And watch this lovin' feeling disappear<br>Like it was common sense<br>I was a fine idea at the time<br>Now I'm a brilliant mistake