Lyrics When I Was Cruel, No. 2 - Elvis Costello

I exit through the spotlight glare
I stepped out into thin air
Into a perfume so rarefied
Here comes the bride
Not quite aside, they snide, she′s number four
There's number three just by the door
Those in the know, don′t even flatter her, they go one better
She was selling speedboats in a trade show when he met her
Look at her now
She's starting to yawn
She looks like she was born to it
But it was so much easier
When I was cruel
She reaches out her arms to me
Imploring another melody
So she can dance her husband out on the floor
The captains of industry just
Lie there where they fall
In eau-de-nil and pale carnation creation
A satin sash and velvet elevation
She straightens the tipsy head-dress of her spouse
While hers recalls a honey house
There'll be no sorrows left to drown
Early in the morning in your evening gown
But it was so much easier
When I was cruel
The entrance hall was arranged
With hostesses and ushers
Who turned out to be the younger wives
Nursing schoolgirl crushes
Parting the waves of those
Few feint friends
Fingers once offered are now too
Heavy to extend
The ghostly first wife glides up
On stage, whispering to raucous talkers
Spilling family secrets out to
Flunkey′s and castrato walkers
See that girl, watch that scene
Digging the dancing queen