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Even considering what a sucker I am for a love song, I do not think I’m overstating the sublimity of the lyric masterpiece She by Elvis Costello.
Like many folks, the first time I heard the song was in the soundtrack for Notting Hill. Had Costello written it for the film, he surely would have won the Oscar, and perhaps it would be better known today. Instead, I can only presume he wrote it for his wife at the time, Cait O’Riordan.
And I have to ask, what is wrong with that woman?!? For if indeed my presumption is correct — how could she ever not be in love with the man who wrote that song for her? It so eloquently states a love most resplendent, yet imperfect, that has shaken his very soul.
The lyrics are uplifting, yet haunting —
She
May be the love that cannot hope to last
May come to me from shadows of the past
That I’ll remember ’til the day I die
— were they sung for me, I know that they would have inspired me to be the woman who deserved the honor of a love so profound. (Alas, Costello and O’Riordan split up a few years later.)
Seen here live on Late Night, although the video quality is not that great, Costello is in as fine a voice as ever, accompanied by a string ensemble and pianist, impressing even an old “softie” like Dave.
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– Colette Moran is author of ClearlyNebulous.com, a powerful conservative blog.
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