"Almost Ideal Eyes" is a song by Elvis Costello from his album "When I Was Cruel" released in 2002. The lyrics depict the narrator's observations and reflections on love, relationships, and the pitfalls of idealizing someone. The song begins by describing a woman with seemingly perfect physical attributes - almost ideal eyes, flawless skin, and a petulant pout. The mention of a long blonde alibi implies that she might have deceived the narrator in the past. The narrator expresses a desire to shout out his feelings, indicating lingering resentment or frustration. The second verse suggests that the woman has come back into the narrator's life, wearing stolen clothes and sharing some sort of mystery or secret. The narrator hopes that she isn't one of those who deceive or manipulate others. The chorus focuses on the concept of viewing love through a rosy hue, suggesting an idealized perception. The narrator warns that being too trusting or liberal can lead to insults and paying a price for carelessness. This line can be interpreted as a caution against naivety and being taken advantage of. The following verse introduces a male character who attempts to analyze the narrator's dreams and fills them with his own ideas. The narrator refers to him as having phony innocence and pained pretense, expressing disdain for his behavior. The mention of a vacant lot where one doesn't have to act their age suggests a desire for escape from societal expectations and constraints. The second chorus repeats the warnings from the first but adds an emphasis on the consequences of one's actions. Stupidity is seen as a compliment, thrill as a motive, and rebellion seen as merely a form of currency. The moon is what you "bay" for adds a playful twist on the word "pay" implying how desires or aspirations can change. The final verse describes a sense of despair and isolation, with the mention of friends appearing uglier and the narrator wearing an evening gown while weeping over a broken bird. The vivid imagery of a sky decorated with shocking pink and a dirty shade of brown suggests a contrast between superficial appearances and the reality of life's hardships. The outro reinforces the idea of the woman with almost ideal eyes and advises caution in what one wishes for and prays for when looking into those eyes. Overall, "Almost Ideal Eyes" explores themes of idealization, deception, and the dangers of overlooking reality in love and relationships. The lyrics caution against blindly trusting, being swayed by empty promises, and the consequences of chasing unrealistic ideals.
