Most of the songs I write about here are ones that I enjoyed from the first listen. However, that is not always the case, and this is one of those songs.
Accidents Will Happen–at least to me–wasn’t as catchy and memorable as some of Elvis Costello’s other work that I had heard before, but it grew on me over time, and now I think it’s a great song.
From tunemeister over at SongMeanings:
Elvis talked about the meaning behind this song on a VH1 Storytellers episode. It’s about his first marriage, but he hid the fact when he recorded the song. What he REALLY had in mind with the chorus was a subtly but critically different verse:
Accidents will happen, I only hit and run,
I used to be your victim: Now you’re not the only one.So he was seeing himself as both victim and assailant in the relationship while acknowledging that his wife was not “the only one” for him anymore.
You can listen to the song below.
And of course, the lyrics:
Oh I just don’t know where to begin
Though he says he’ll wait forever
It’s now or never
But she keeps him hanging on
The silly champion
She says she can’t go home
Without a chaperone
Chorus:
Accidents will happen
We only hit and run
He used to be your victim
Now you’re not the only one
Accidents will happen
We only hit and run
I don’t want to hear it
‘Cause I know what I’ve done
There’s so many fish in the sea
That only rise up in the sweat and smoke like mercury
But they keep you hanging on
They say you’re so young
Your mind is made up but your mouth is undone
(Chorus)
And it’s the damage that we do
And never know
It’s the words that we don’t say
That scare me so
There’s so many people to see
So many people you can check up on
And add to your collection
But they keep you hanging on
Until you’re well hung
Your mouth is made up but your mind is undone
(Chorus)
I know, I know… (repeat)
