The song "The Difference" by Elvis Costello & The Imposters tells a story about a woman's encounters with different men and the repercussions of her actions. The lyrics suggest a theme of exploring choices, consequences, and the blurry line between right and wrong. In the first verse, the protagonist describes pulling a petal from a flower to determine her fortune. This action symbolizes her curiosity and desire to uncover what lies ahead. She then meets a boy who captivates her despite her initial caution. He questions her understanding of right and wrong, and implies that pleasure can easily turn into suffering. Despite any potential strangeness or uncertainty, he offers to guide her into the "underworld," which can be interpreted as a metaphor for forbidden or unknown experiences. In the chorus, the protagonist reflects on the notion of trust and its connection to discerning between right and wrong. This raises the question of whether trusting someone can lead to unexpected consequences. The second verse portrays a different encounter. The protagonist complies with the requests of a man who asks her to lift her skirt and show him her shoe. This act, coupled with references to dancing and a reel of fiddlehead, alludes to flirtation and seduction. The man implies that the promises and vows they made are not as important as the attraction they feel. He suggests that his faithlessness or dishonesty is triggered by the protagonist's alluring gaze. The pre-chorus and chorus repeat, emphasizing the theme of understanding the difference between right and wrong, and how pleasure can easily transform into suffering. The protagonist is encouraged to enter another world through a metaphorical kiss, further blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. The bridge introduces a personal struggle within the protagonist's family. Her father shames her, possibly due to her actions with different men. This causes her name to be buried or stained in the community. However, her father's darkness and mistaking her for his spouse seem to trigger a change within her. She takes a knife (symbolic of empowerment) to show him the difference between who she is and the person he imagines her to be. In the final repetition of the chorus, it becomes clear that the protagonist uses the knife to defend herself and establish her autonomy. The story showcases the complexities of relationships, the consequences of choices, and the importance of distinguishing between appearances and reality.
