"Deportee" by Elvis Costello and The Attractions is a song that tells the story of a person who is experiencing the nightlife in a nightclub called Arrivederci Roma. The setting is a bar and grill in Rome, where the protagonist observes the crumbling ruins and feels as if time has stood still. In this nightclub, the protagonist confides their troubles to an anonymous person in a backless dress, as they consume a variety of alcoholic beverages such as schnapps, chianti, porter, ouzo, Pernod, vodka, and sambuca. The lyrics express a fondness for these drinks, expressing love for them. The song then mentions a tatty beauty who speaks in riddles, as Rome metaphorically burns down, and everyone seems to be indifferent. The lyrics suggest that despite having a thousand dollars, it wouldn't help the protagonist obtain a desirable partner. The history and culture of Rome are symbolically engraved in a chaser glass, representing the weight of a thousand years of history. The protagonist desires the tatty beauty and fantasizes about a life with her, imagining himself as the king in a musical time signature of 6/8. However, this fantasy is contrasted by the reality of the situation and the song's title, "Deportee." It refers to the person's immigrant status or the possibility of being deported from their current location. The protagonist expresses a sense of yearning or admiration for the tatty beauty. They describe her leaving her name on his paper cuff, indicating a sort of connection or mark left behind. The lyrics suggest confusion and uncertainty about where to begin or end the relationship, and that their conversations seem to revolve only around shallow or trivial matters. The protagonist reveals that when they arrived at the nightclub, they had plenty of money, but their return ticket was taken from them unnoticed. They express a plea to saints and martyrs for a secret life akin to that of Frank Sinatra, a legendary singer associated with a glamorous and successful lifestyle. However, none of these desires have come true for the protagonist. The song concludes with a provocative statement about the law in America, suggesting that it is corrupt or exploitative, comparing it to a "piece of ass." The lyrics reiterate the love for alcoholic beverages mentioned earlier and emphasize that the protagonist is a deportee. Overall, "Deportee" is a lyrically complex song that explores themes of longing, disillusionment, and the disjunction between one's fantasies and reality. It offers a glimpse into the protagonist's experiences in a particular nightclub in Rome while expressing broader social and political commentary.
