Psycho

Written by: Leon Payne (Inspired by the Whitman killings of 1966 at the University of Texas Austin)

Performed by: Elvis Costello

Come here and fry some fish, mama
I`m as hungry as can be
Oh lord, how I wish, mama
You could stop the baby cryin`
`Cause my head is killing me

I saw my ex again last night mama
She was at the dance at Miller`s store
She was with that Jackie White mama
I killed them both
And they`re buried under Jacob`s sycamore

You think I`m psycho don`t you mama
I didn`t mean to break your cup
You think I`m psycho don`t you mama
You better let `em lock me up

Oh, don`t hand me Johnny`s pup mama
As I might squeeze him too tight
I`m havin` crazy dreams again mama
So let me tell you `bout last night
I woke up in Johnny`s room mama
Standing right there by his bed
With my hands around his throat mama
Wishing both of us were dead

You think I`m psycho don`t you mama
I just killed Johnny`s pup
You think I`m psycho don`t you mama
You`d better let `em lock me up

Oh you recall that little girl mama
I believe her name was Betty Clark
Oh don`t tell me that she`s dead mama
`Cause I just saw her in the park
We were sitting on a bench mama
Thinking of a game to play
Seems I was holding a wrench mama
Then my mind just walked away

You think I`m psycho don`t you mama
I didn`t mean to break your cup
You think I`m psycho don`t you mama
Mama why don`t you get up?

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[mclovin1972]

Thanks for posting this. Great cover.  Elvis is King!

[STRANGEJAMES85]

Seriously! Is there anything Elvis Costello can't do? That guy is amazing.

[ThisIsStupidist]

jack kittel's version better...lets see how the others do

[TheRealFearlessFreep]

I have about 7 versions, I think. I like Elvis's because he gets the desperate sound that's barely there in the more straight-ahead readings from Eddie Noack and Jack Kittel. I do like the Beasts of Bourbon take. For those that want a more over-the-top style, check Andre Williams. Teddy Thompson's is a cooler read, but I like it too.

[asubjectiveopinion]

Does anyone have the original?

[nitraaaaam]

@ScottShuster Thanks for the info.

[nitraaaaam]

I think it's "can Mary fry some fish mama?"

This cover is one of the best I've ever heard.

[ScottShuster]

Hard to believe but this very unusual - and scary - 1960s song was written by Leon Payne, the same man (born, 1917) who wrote the smarmy, romantic country song "I Love You Because You Understand Me", made famous by Hank Williams and also recorded by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jim Reeves, Al Martino, and John Prine. Leon also wrote "Lost Highway," one of the most famous of all Hank Williams recordings.

[MegaDeathtrain]

Will someone explain to me what this song is about? It's an amazon song I just want to know the meaning

[shacknbake1]

on elvis and the attractions "almost blue"  2 cd set Rhino......it's on the bonus cd.....

[chellenlibby]

I remember hearing this in the 1970; briefly. The radio stations banned it. It was so weird it was just too cool

[unclemike]

Did Costello ever put this on a CD? I can't find it on itunes...