Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: power-pop
Song Meaning of “Kinder Murder” by Elvis Costello
Kinder Murder is a song by Elvis Costello that highlights the irony of his love for a morally questionable person. The song describes a relationship between a man and a woman that has been built on lies and dishonesty. Costello sings of his attempts to make the relationship work, even though he knows it’s based on a lie. He sings, “I guess love just won’t survive a kinder murder,” emphasizing the fact that love and honesty cannot coincide on a relationship built on lies. Despite this, they try to make it work, but they both know it’s going to end in heartbreak. Regardless, Costello remains hopeful and sings, “Let’s keep it just like this until we get used to it…maybe it won’t– maybe it won’t.” The song is a deep exploration of what happens when two people are in a compromising situation that is out of their control and yet, hopeful for a better and brighter future. It shows the way that people are always led astray by a sense of false hope and optimism, and also shows how those things might not always be enough to overcome the darkness that comes with being in a relationship under false pretenses.