Text: Elvis Costello. King of America. I'll Wear It Proudly.

I hate these flaming curtains. they're not the color of your hair
I hate these striplights. they're not so undoing as your stare
I hate the buttons on your shirt when all I wanna do is tear
I hate this bloody big bed of mine when you're not here

Well, I finally found someone to turn me upside down
And nail my feet up where my head should be
If they had a 'King of Fools', then I could wear that crown
And you can all die laughing because I'll wear it proudly

Well, you seem to be shivering, dear, and the room is awfully warm
In the white and scarlet billows that subside beyond the storm
You have this expression dear, no words could take its place
And I wear it like a badge that you put all over my face

Well, I finally found someone to turn me upside down
And nail my feet up where my head should be
If they had a 'King of Fools', then I could wear that crown
And you can all die laughing because I'll wear it proudly

I'll wear it proudly through the dives and the dancehalls
If you'll wear it proudly through the snakepits and catcalls
Like a fifteen-year old kid wears a vampire kiss
If you don't know what is wrong with me
Then you don't know what you've missed

We are arms and legs wrapped 'round more than my memory tonight
When the bell rang out and the air outside turned blue from fright
But in shameless moments, you made more of me than just a mess
And a handful of eagerness says, "What do you suggest?"

Well, I finally found someone to turn me upside down
And nail my feet up where my head should be
If they had a 'King of Fools', then I could wear that crown
And you can all die laughing because I'll wear it proudly