The song "Sour Milk-Cow Blues" by Elvis Costello and The Attractions addresses themes of betrayal, manipulation, and the loss of a loved one's true self. In the lyrics, the speaker expresses their disappointment and frustration with their partner's preference for coffee and tea over their company. They feel neglected and believe that their partner values these beverages more than their relationship. The repetition of "watch out for the sour milk-cow blues" suggests caution against the damage caused by such neglect. The song then delves deeper into the changes the speaker notices in their partner. They feel that someone has influenced and poisoned their loved one, making them act and behave differently. The speaker suspects that their partner has been replaced by a double, someone who looks like them but is no longer the person they fell in love with. This change in personality and appearance troubles the speaker. The lyrics hint at the possibility of outside intervention or manipulation, as the speaker accuses someone of putting ideas in their partner's head. They feel that this person has taken away the person of their dreams, leaving them with someone entirely different. The metaphor of "sour milk-cow blues" suggests the bitterness and sadness that the speaker experiences in this situation. The song also explores the repercussions of these changes on the relationship. The once loving couple has turned into prisoners, stuck in a cycle of deception and heartbreak. The speaker addresses the suffering that both they and others may be experiencing due to the actions of their partner. However, their partner seems unaffected, glad that they are not the ones suffering. The lyrics take a slightly surreal turn as the speaker suggests that their partner is being controlled or influenced by some external force. They talk about dialing a number and seeking relief, implying that their partner is seeking assistance or guidance to break free from this manipulation. In the end, the speaker expresses their confusion and anguish, unable to determine which is worse: what is happening to their partner or how it is affecting them. The song highlights the pain of losing someone to external forces and the struggle to understand and navigate such a situation. Overall, "Sour Milk-Cow Blues" is a lyrical portrayal of a relationship affected by betrayal, manipulation, and the loss of identity. It conveys the speaker's emotions, confusion, and desire for the return of the person they once loved.
