The speaker expresses their desire to disappear, avoiding being captured or put on display like a decoration. They reflect on the futility of trying to hold onto rare things and feeling misunderstood, ultimately requesting to vanish and find rest.

Meaning of "I Want to Vanish" by Elvis Costello & The Attractions

The lyrics of "I Want to Vanish" by Elvis Costello & The Attractions explore themes of a desire for escape, a longing for freedom from societal pressures, and a sense of being undervalued or misunderstood. The speaker expresses a yearning to disappear, to not be held up for others to judge or admire like a mere object, emphasizing the idea of authenticity over superficial appearances. The reference to being "rarer than most" and "crying in the wilderness" suggests a feeling of being unique but overlooked, struggling to find a place where one belongs. The repetition of the idea of arranging mirrors and spools to catch rare jewels that turn out to be fake reinforces the idea of the illusions created by external appearances. The speaker's final request to be allowed to vanish and rest suggests a longing for peace and release from the burdens of societal expectations and misunderstandings.