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Elvis Costello — Accidents Will Happen
Album: Armed Forces
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 977









Released: 1979
Length: 2:57
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Oh, I just don't know where to begin
Though he says he'll wait forever
It's now or never
But she keeps 'em hangin' on
The silly champion
She says she can't go home without a chaperone

Accidents will happen
They only hit and run
You used to be a victim now you're not the only one
Accidents will happen
They only hit and run
I don't want to hear it cause I know what I've done

There's so many fish in the sea
That only rise up on the sweat and smoke of mercury
But they keep you hangin' on
they say you're so young
Your mind is made up but your mouth is undone

Accidents will happen
They only hit and run
You used to be a victim now you're not the only one
Accidents will happen
They only hit and run
I don't want to hear it cause I know what I've done

And it's the damage that we do we never know
it's the words that we don't say that scare me so
there's so many people to see
so many people you can check up on and add to your collection
But they keep you hangin' on
until you're well hung
Your mouth is make up but your mind is undone

Accidents will happen
They're only hit and run
You used to be a victim now you're not the only one
Accidents will happen
They only hit and run
I don't want to hear it cause I know what I
I know what I
I know what I've done
I know (x4)
Comments (120)add comment
Posted 5 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Weak sauce
Posted 5 years ago by Dfitz    [ Reply ]
 Steely_D wrote:
Damn, this was a time.

 
Yep.  Oliver's Army are on their way.
Posted 6 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
Damn, this was a time.
Posted 7 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:

It was actually a band from CA called Clover. According to Wikipedia, anyways. One of the non-original Clovers, Sean Hopper, teamed up with Huey Lewis after Clover split and formed the News. The Attractions backed Elvis on his second album, "This Year's Model." 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clover_(band)

Clover was an American country rock band formed in Mill Valley, California, in 1967. They are best known as the backup band for Elvis Costello's 1977 debut album My Aim Is True (recorded in the UK), and for members later forming or joining more successful acts, including Huey Lewis and the News,The Doobie Brothers, Toto, and Lucinda Williams. Clover disbanded in 1978. Three members reunited for two concerts backing Costello in San Francisco on November 8, 2007. 

 
Brinsley Schwarz (the band) and other UK pub rock bands were fans of the country rock thing happening in the US. One Brinsleys song had a line, "Gonna saddle up and ride away, back to the hills where Clover plays." Brinsley Schwarz' bassist was Nick Lowe. Nick was the de facto house producer at Stiff Records when Elvis walked in with a demo tape. It wasn't the entire band, no Huey, but that's how they came to be on the record. Later, the Attractions re-recorded the songs for the first album and I forget the timeline exactly but I think the decision was made to go with the Clover versions, some of which had appeared on 7" singles. I suppose the Attractions versions are out there but I haven't tried to find them. Probably in a box set somewhere...
Posted 7 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Good Lord the accompanying visuals for this song on the Apple TV app are a nonstop string of aircraft and transportation disasters!
Posted 8 years ago by cowboybull    [ Reply ]
      Unmistakable Elvis Costello ....  excellent   {#Yes} .....nothing accidental here
Posted 8 years ago by Jannne    [ Reply ]
 tulfan wrote:


I understood that Huey Lewis' band, the News was the backing band for his first effort.

 
It was actually a band from CA called Clover. According to Wikipedia, anyways. One of the non-original Clovers, Sean Hopper, teamed up with Huey Lewis after Clover split and formed the News. The Attractions backed Elvis on his second album, "This Year's Model." 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clover_(band)

Clover was an American country rock band formed in Mill Valley, California, in 1967. They are best known as the backup band for Elvis Costello's 1977 debut album My Aim Is True (recorded in the UK), and for members later forming or joining more successful acts, including Huey Lewis and the News,The Doobie Brothers, Toto, and Lucinda Williams. Clover disbanded in 1978. Three members reunited for two concerts backing Costello in San Francisco on November 8, 2007. 
Posted 9 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 DavidS_UK wrote:
RESPECT!! 
 Someone who 'gets it' about PR.  We may not like everything we hear but it's always instructive/informative.  I may disagree about thw merits of this particular song but wholeheartedly endorse Westslopes generous nature.

westslope wrote:

I understand the talent, I see the peer respect.

 

Can't help it; must be an involuntary muscle.  Pushes me away.  2

 

But I would be disappointed if RP didn't play Costello.   So enjoy, wince, let's all behave like we are alive.



 

 
Totally agreed!  If you don't like the song, rate it accordingly.  But there's no reason to say "this song sucks" or "I hate Elvis".
Posted 9 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
RESPECT!! 
 Someone who 'gets it' about PR.  We may not like everything we hear but it's always instructive/informative.  I may disagree about thw merits of this particular song but wholeheartedly endorse Westslopes generous nature.

westslope wrote:

I understand the talent, I see the peer respect.

 

Can't help it; must be an involuntary muscle.  Pushes me away.  2

 

But I would be disappointed if RP didn't play Costello.   So enjoy, wince, let's all behave like we are alive.



 


Posted 10 years ago by DavidS_UK    [ Reply ]
Aha, one of those interesting double peak songs that generate lots of interesting comments - people seem to either like it or hate it (or looking at the comments maybe it's more the naysayers generally don't like Elvis Costello rather than this song in particular. 
For me, a likeable 7 at least.
Posted 10 years ago by DavidS_UK    [ Reply ]
 DaveInVA wrote:
Not the greatest song to listen to when you are driving {#Mrgreen}

 
.... and not the greatest when you are NOT driving 

{#Skull} sucko-barfo
Posted 10 years ago by pwilster    [ Reply ]
Not the greatest song to listen to when you are driving {#Mrgreen}
Posted 10 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
An accident is not stricly necessary, but a nose operation will do.
Posted 10 years ago by Burg    [ Reply ]
 MiracleDrug wrote:
brilliant song from an equally brilliant album...


 
....... what he said
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
 hencini wrote:


Hmmm... You sure about that? I'm pretty sure they were with him starting on his second album (This Year's Model)... 

 

I understood that Huey Lewis' band, the News was the backing band for his first effort.
Posted 10 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:
It was on this album that he first worked with his dynamic band, the Attractions.

 

Hmmm... You sure about that? I'm pretty sure they were with him starting on his second album (This Year's Model)... 
Posted 10 years ago by hencini    [ Reply ]
There's an great live version of this on the bonus disc of the Rhino reissue of Armed Forces. Totally different personality. 
Posted 11 years ago by hencini    [ Reply ]
{#Lol} (former member) wrote:
There was a period after this where Elvis put on quite a bit of weight, looking a bit like Jerry Garcia. And so we rewrote his catalog

Appetites will happen; it's always eat and run...

What's so funny bout fats, proteins, and carbohydrates?

Two BIG Hitlers

Allison...my aim is food.... 
 


Posted 12 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Declan Patrick Aloysius MacManus is the most brilliant songwriter in the rock and roll idiom since Robert Zimmerman.

It was on this album that he first worked with his dynamic band, the Attractions.
Posted 12 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]

I understand the talent, I see the peer respect.

 

Can't help it; must be an involuntary muscle.  Pushes me away.  2

 

But I would be disappointed if RP didn't play Costello.   So enjoy, wince, let's all behave like we are alive.


Posted 12 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
brilliant song from an equally brilliant album...

Posted 12 years ago by MiracleDrug    [ Reply ]
The significant majority of the votes are "8".  

Almost all of the comments say this song is crap.

Hilarious.

I will go against the grain.  I gave it an 8 and I love the song, the album, the genre and the artist. 
Posted 13 years ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]
One of the many anthems when I was at art college in Crouch End, in London, at the end of the 70s/early 80s. New wave was a fantastic period of music. Roundhouse, Marquee, 100 Club. The Stranglers, Nick Lowe and The Undertones drank in our local pub. Music was raw and available all around us. You just had to be there to appreciate the moment. This number still holds its own despite most 80s music sounding very dated. OK, EC has a a voice that you either love or hate, but eclectic is what this station is all about, right?

 
Posted 13 years ago by perryandcaro    [ Reply ]
 Droidac wrote:

If you want an 11, you could just rate it 1, then rate it 1 again. That's what I do everytime this song comes on.

 
{#Roflol} I think it's terrible as well. 2.

Posted 13 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
 kaybee wrote:
I've always liked Costello's coupling of clever, sarcastic lyricism with upbeat Buddy Holly arrangements and vocals.  This is one of his best, I think.
 
{#High-five} That's a great description!

Posted 14 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
 fissmoll wrote:
A track from the best album ABBA never wrote, we just to say back then... EC pretty often quoted ABBA as a good band at the time of recording Armed Forces and me and my friends found the piano-playing derived from ABBA's Benny Andersson pompuos style of playing Good track from a brilliant album
 


Posted 14 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
 Felix_The_Cat wrote:
Wow! Lenny Kravitz?
 
good one.  EC could be his Dad.

Posted 14 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
Wow! Lenny Kravitz?
Posted 14 years ago by Felix_The_Cat    [ Reply ]
Elvis has a way with words!
Posted 15 years ago by chrisinwilson    [ Reply ]
{#Notworthy}
Posted 15 years ago by SweTex    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:
Where is the 11 when you need it?  Pure genius of a song.  Love every version especially the slowed down live ones.

So many people you can check up on and add to your collection.

And what a great outro..............

{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}
 
If you want an 11, you could just rate it 1, then rate it 1 again. That's what I do everytime this song comes on.

Posted 15 years ago by Droidac    [ Reply ]
his songs all sound ungoodly the same to me
Posted 15 years ago by BigTimber    [ Reply ]
Where is the 11 when you need it?  Pure genius of a song.  Love every version especially the slowed down live ones.

So many people you can check up on and add to your collection.

And what a great outro..............

{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}
Posted 15 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
I've always looked Costello's coupling of clever, sarcastic lyricism with upbeat Buddy Holly arrangements and vocals.  This is one of his best, I think.
Posted 15 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
This one has stood the test of time.  That's not a mistake.

Superb.
Posted 15 years ago by tokyopoorboy    [ Reply ]
 sharkey wrote:


No. I agree with Frenchie. Just never got this guy. It's pure crap.
 

You realize the second and third sentences pretty much contradict each other, right?

And something you don't get != "pure crap."

Posted 15 years ago by holborne    [ Reply ]
I think this accidentally got into the RP mix.
Posted 15 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
 Rickvee wrote:
A classic EC song - great melody and timeless lyrics. Thank God EC came along.
 

Agree.
Posted 15 years ago by holborne    [ Reply ]
A classic EC song - great melody and timeless lyrics. Thank God EC came along.
Posted 16 years ago by Rickvee    [ Reply ]
jmk999 wrote:
Few things are as reliable as the chorus of whining whenever a Costello song is played on RP. If those of us who like his music concede he's not the very best musician ever, will you shut the hell up?
No. I agree with Frenchie. Just never got this guy. It's pure crap.
Posted 16 years ago by sharkey    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by OldFrenchie    [ Reply ]
His first three albums were phenomenal. And that was when I was in high school, almost 30 years ago!! Now he is coming around again. But the first years were the best.
Posted 17 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
Declan & Co hit their stride - a gem.
Posted 17 years ago by E_A_D_G    [ Reply ]
Few things are as reliable as the chorus of whining whenever a Costello song is played on RP. If those of us who like his music concede he's not the very best musician ever, will you shut the hell up?
Posted 17 years ago by jmk999    [ Reply ]
Pyro wrote:
all opinion, of course (no need to get all personal!)
If you look at my song comments, you'll see this is a frequent thing. Its not personal, its facetious.
Posted 17 years ago by out_to_lunch    [ Reply ]
out_to_lunch wrote:
your MOM is an accident!!!
all opinion, of course (no need to get all personal!)
Posted 17 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Pyro wrote:
Accidents will happen, Mr & Mrs Costello....
your MOM is an accident!!!
Posted 17 years ago by out_to_lunch    [ Reply ]
Daniel_Pittenger wrote:
I know he's classic and all that, but I really can't stand him. His voice is irritating. All opinion of course.
Accidents will happen, Mr & Mrs Costello....
Posted 17 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Accidents continue to happen, as this song has made it on to the play list yet again..
Posted 17 years ago by davin    [ Reply ]
buddy0407 wrote:
The original angry young man. Excellent!
A track from the best album ABBA never wrote, we just to say back then... EC pretty often quoted ABBA as a good band at the time of recording Armed Forces and me and my friends found the piano-playing derived from ABBA's Benny Andersson pompuos style of playing Good track from a brilliant album
Posted 17 years ago by fissmoll    [ Reply ]
The original angry young man. Excellent!
Posted 17 years ago by buddy0407    [ Reply ]
You philistine! Geecheeboy wrote:
Call me philistine if you want. When EC comes on, I go see what's playing on the LRC. Maybe we won't have to worry about it too much longer if the RIAA has their way....
Posted 17 years ago by kerr    [ Reply ]
Call me philistine if you want. When EC comes on, I go see what's playing on the LRC. Maybe we won't have to worry about it too much longer if the RIAA has their way....
Posted 17 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
I know he's classic and all that, but I really can't stand him. His voice is irritating. All opinion of course.
Posted 17 years ago by Daniel_Pittenger    [ Reply ]
Saw him with Squeeze, one of the best shows ever.
Posted 17 years ago by slowhand    [ Reply ]
With his fingers in his nose! highwindows wrote:
As someone else has I think observed - he sounds as if he is permanently on the edge of throwing up!!
Posted 17 years ago by inindian    [ Reply ]
kazuma wrote:
Perhaps Michael Richards should consider this as his new theme song.
*snort*
Posted 17 years ago by djinnthespazz    [ Reply ]
mrmojorisin wrote:
I just don't get the attraction of Elvis Costello.
But do you get The Attractions of Elvis Costello?
Posted 18 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Perhaps Michael Richards should consider this as his new theme song.
Posted 18 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
E.T. phone home.
Posted 18 years ago by obijuan    [ Reply ]
one of my favorite Elvis Costello tunes - a solid 5
Posted 18 years ago by rollo_tomasi    [ Reply ]
nuggler wrote:
That's cool. Just respect him....
This is quickly going in the direction of Anchorman.
Posted 18 years ago by davin    [ Reply ]
davin wrote:
Yeah. I want to like him but I just don't.
That's cool. Just respect him....
Posted 18 years ago by nuggler    [ Reply ]
ahhh the pain.... make it stop!!!!
Posted 18 years ago by andesitic    [ Reply ]
mrmojorisin wrote:
I just don't get the attraction of Elvis Costello.
Yeah. I want to like him but I just don't.
Posted 18 years ago by davin    [ Reply ]
I just don't get the attraction of Elvis Costello.
Posted 18 years ago by mrmojorisin    [ Reply ]
andesitic wrote:
I too am in agreement that this is way too much Costello.... Maybe an offshoot website called "radio costello" is in order.
How about you don't - Ladies and Gentlemen, Scotty don't.
Posted 18 years ago by veegez    [ Reply ]
catmaven wrote:
If you like this but want better, try this: Sugar Hill Records - The Best in Roots MusicFrom Hell To Breakfast: A Taste of Sugar Hill's Texas Singer-Songwriters ... With Sugar Hill's incomparable stable of Texas artists, this is one of the best ... www.sugarhillrecords.com/catalog/
You've been pimping Sugar Hill a lot, and I agree they're a great label. Not better than this, however.
Posted 18 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Elvis' nasal voice annoys me this morning.
Posted 18 years ago by thatch    [ Reply ]
highwindows wrote:
As someone else has I think observed - he sounds as if he is permanently on the edge of throwing up!!
I agree 100%! Don't really care for his music
Posted 18 years ago by luin    [ Reply ]
This song appeared originally on Armed Forces - the best Elvis Costello album - hands down, in my opinion. You could gather one or two songs from all of his other records and maybe make an album almost as good as Armed Forces. Definitely a great CD to have in your collection.
Posted 18 years ago by mamerjamer    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by glassjawgrlxxx    [ Reply ]
If you like this but want better, try this: Sugar Hill Records - The Best in Roots MusicFrom Hell To Breakfast: A Taste of Sugar Hill's Texas Singer-Songwriters ... With Sugar Hill's incomparable stable of Texas artists, this is one of the best ... www.sugarhillrecords.com/catalog/
Posted 18 years ago by rKokon    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by gbourbon    [ Reply ]
As someone else has I think observed - he sounds as if he is permanently on the edge of throwing up!!
Posted 18 years ago by highwindows    [ Reply ]
andesitic wrote:
Maybe an offshoot website called "radio costello" is in order.
I know I'd listen to it.
Posted 18 years ago by Seanovan    [ Reply ]
stephq123 wrote:
I can't stand Elvis Costello, and am glad to see I'm not the only one. I thought maybe I was missing something.
I too am in agreement that this is way too much Costello.... Maybe an offshoot website called "radio costello" is in order.
Posted 18 years ago by andesitic    [ Reply ]
this is supposed to be "The Best of"???
Posted 18 years ago by Old_Pat    [ Reply ]
I can't stand Elvis Costello, and am glad to see I'm not the only one. I thought maybe I was missing something.
Posted 18 years ago by stephq123    [ Reply ]
eco wrote:
ah crap! i just spilled my drink...
Ah, well...accidents will happen.
Posted 18 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
A true classic.
Posted 18 years ago by stuartgibson    [ Reply ]
seekinggrace wrote:
Please stop with the constant Elvis Costello!! Eclectic doesn't mean hearing Costello 6+ a day.
Amen
Posted 18 years ago by joelsephus    [ Reply ]
stubbsz wrote:
Please get a clue or shut up.
Oh, you charmer! How thoughtfully reasoned! How well spoken!
Posted 19 years ago by Govi    [ Reply ]
Govi wrote:
Please, find something good by Costello or don't play him at all.
Please get a clue or shut up.
Posted 19 years ago by stubbsz    [ Reply ]
I remember when my brother bought this album. I was 9 or 10. Still incredible.
Posted 19 years ago by AphidA    [ Reply ]
Aw, man, I'm 16 years old and I'm hanging out with Jay Weesner, and we're peeking through the blinds at Michelle Lumsden in her bedroom across the alley...
Posted 19 years ago by Essbee    [ Reply ]
Please, find something good by Costello or don't play him at all.
Posted 19 years ago by Govi    [ Reply ]
Is this a bad rip? I don't remember the vocals being so muted.
Posted 19 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
Please stop with the constant Elvis Costello!! Eclectic doesn't mean hearing Costello 6+ a day.
Posted 19 years ago by seekinggrace    [ Reply ]
Four stellar songs in a row!!!
8:26 am - Elvis Costello - Accidents Will Happen 8:24 am - Beatles - We Can Work It Out 8:21 am - Marshall Crenshaw - Mary Anne 8:18 am - David Bowie - Rebel Rebel
Posted 19 years ago by AphidA    [ Reply ]
has anybody seen the video to this song? can anyone tell me if they have because i heard it was the first ever animated video? 1979 wasnt it?
Posted 19 years ago by elvisjr    [ Reply ]
ah crap! i just spilled my drink...
Posted 20 years ago by eco    [ Reply ]
Posted 20 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
Stevo wrote:
ugh.
Not ugh.
Posted 20 years ago by veegez    [ Reply ]
ugh.
Posted 20 years ago by Stevo    [ Reply ]
First I heard of Elvis Costello was when my friend showed me My Aim is True and told me he was the next big thing. I looked at the cover photo, and then at my friend, skeptically. Well, guess who was right? Brilliant stuff.
Posted 20 years ago by steeler    [ Reply ]
lbrc wrote:
accidents will happen? that explains alot about elvis costello!
That must been what the doctor said when you were born!!!
Posted 20 years ago by indypaul    [ Reply ]
lbrc wrote:
not angry. . . just stating the obvious facts. aparently elvis is aswell with this song
reminder: opinion is not fact - no matter whose it is. ^_^
Posted 21 years ago by PattonFever    [ Reply ]
i adore this song. it's awesome. this kicks the crap out of spooky girlfriend. :nodhead:
Posted 21 years ago by PattonFever    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by sweet_william: A lot of negativism concerning this. If you had been there during the post disco, southern (c)rock crap of the late seventies, you'd understand what a relief EC and other New Wavers really were. It wasn't all great music upon reflection, but compared to what passed for pop then, it was a tremendous relief.
Posted 21 years ago by sweet_william    [ Reply ]
A lot of negativism concerning this. If you had been there during the post disco, southern (c)rock crap of the late seventies, you'd understand what a relief EC and other New Wavers really were. It wasn't all great music upon reflection, but compared to what passed for pop then, it was a tremendous relief.
Posted 21 years ago by sweet_william    [ Reply ]
Normally I like Elvis Costello. But, not crazy about this one. Seems a little strained.
Posted 21 years ago by jbmckee    [ Reply ]
Accidents can, and do happen. Like this song for instance. At least I would hope it was an accident. C\'mon, there had to be one dissenter. :)
Posted 21 years ago by mike1g    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by mperry: One would think that the "angry" young Elvis of this era would be right up the alley of someone with such an affected "angry" disposition.
It can be quite confronting to see a part of yourself reflected in someone else ;)
Posted 22 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
Anything by Elvis is \"godlike\"!
Posted 22 years ago by laprincessa    [ Reply ]
originally posted by lbrc: accidents will happen? that explains alot about elvis costello!
one would think that the "angry" young elvis of this era would be right up the alley of someone with such an affected "angry" disposition.
Posted 22 years ago by mperry    [ Reply ]
This song sounds like it belongs on Bosom Buddies
Posted 22 years ago by bendoh    [ Reply ]
My all-time favourite EC song!!! Thanks, Bill!!! :) :D :) :D :D :) :D :)
Posted 22 years ago by kenmo    [ Reply ]
Ive been on and off \"into\" Costello (and one of the few, it seems, who liked his Mighty Like A Rose album) and consider this to be one of the absolute highlights of his career. It\'s complex, but direct at the same time.
Posted 22 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
Elvis.....!!!! (And I don't mean the hip shaking one.) This is vintage Elvis at one of his peaks, and yes, he's had several. Unfortunately he lost most of his mainstream audience when he kept exploring the musical landscape but they stood still and wondered where he'd gone off to. Commercial radio was particularly guilty of this, playing "Alison" and "I Don't Want To Go To Chelsea " as if it were all he'd ever done... This is probably the bes tof his first "new wave" period, where he teased punk and power pop and then gracefully bowed out to pursue the richer musical areas that "Get Happy", "Trust" and "Imperial Bedroom" and would provide. That was his second peak, but went largely unnoticed since it wasn't mainstream... Play more Elvis Bill, mind you already a lot of it, and for that I thank you. Cheers Jacques Radio Paradise: What Radio Could Have Been. NB: To the poster below, you probably meant to say "archetypal" and not "prototypical" which would imply a song in its earliest stages... like Elvis humming it for the first time in the bathroom while shaving... or perhaps a song Elvis wrote when he was 12...
Posted 22 years ago by Jacques    [ Reply ]
Ain't it the truth-accidents will happen!!!. More EC please...he's so profound & talented.
Posted 22 years ago by honey    [ Reply ]