What is Elvis Costello's song Alison about?

Answer 1

Up to interpretation. It could be the concern of a former boyfriend seeing Alison being abused and degraded in the porno film industry, up on the big screen - - the boyfriend wants to "put out the big light" (i.e., shoot out the projector bulb) because "I can't stand to see you this way"; that his aim is true: "Alison, I know this world is killing you. Oh, Alison, my aim is true." ((i.e, this porno world is killing you, and my aim or purpose is true and sincere; and my physical AIM in pointing the gun at the projector bulb is accurate and true.) Further evidence of possible pornography: song was from the late 70's, before video, VCR, and DVD pornography - - and at the classic period of modern porno films which at the time were shown in movie theaters: Linda Lovelace, John Holmes, "Deep Throat"; "The Devil in Miss Jones" etc.) Lyrics state: "Sometimes I wish that I could stop you from talking when I hear the silly things that you say. I think somebody better put out the big light, cause I can't stand to see you this way." Remember, the dialogue of porno movies is especially trite, silly and ridiculous.