"Byline" is a song by Elvis Costello from his 1994 album "Brutal Youth." The lyrics depict a relationship that has come to an end, and the narrator reflects on the lingering memories and emotions associated with it. The song talks about reading and re-reading letters or messages exchanged with a former lover. The narrator goes through these written words line by line, highlighting the mix of feelings stirred up by the sentiments expressed. Some sentiments are best forgotten, while others are cherished and remain folded shut, symbolizing the preservation of certain memories. The reference to a profile on a postage stamp suggests that the narrator closely examines these letters, almost like a stamp collector, in search of clues or reminders of the past. They reminisce about the time spent waiting for the other person and how they marked the moment of their separation. The song also portrays the irony of a sarcastic Valentine's message sent by the lover and subsequently denied. This reveals the complexity and emotional volatility of the relationship. The narrator acknowledges that there were shared thoughts and careless phrases exchanged between them—some loving, some cruel, and some complimentary. However, the narrator emphasizes that they never wrote anything themselves as a way of avoiding further emotional entanglement. Instead, they chose the "easiest way to say 'Goodbye'". At the end of the song, the narrator contemplates how they have moved on from the relationship. They see a photo of themselves next to an article and dismiss their past connection, claiming that they were never truly the other person's. They confess to having written off their former lover, both metaphorically and literally, by line by line. Overall, "Byline" portrays the aftermath of a failed relationship, exploring the power of written words to both evoke emotional nostalgia and provide closure. The song delves into the complexities of love, loss, and the ways in which we hold onto memories through written communication.
