(1977)
Performed by Elvis Costello
Words and music by Elvis Costello
With its ominous (and immediately recognizable) bass line thumping like an implied threat, and the impressionistic snapshot lyrics swiped from a million private eye tales and films noir, the P.I. is finally here, to deal with the clients “who are ready to hear the worst about their daughter’s disappearance,” and soon finds himself tempted by the promise of sex from the cold-blooded femme fatale “filing her nails while they’re dragging the lake,” only to ultimately realize that “it nearly took a miracle to get you to stay/It only took my little finger to blow you away.” Elvis warns the listener “Don’t get cute,” and this song never does. A classic.
Nice girls, not one with a defect Cellophane shrink-wrapped, so correct Red dogs under illegal legs She looks so good that he gets down and begs
She is watching the detectives
“Ooh, it’s so cute” She’s watching the detectives When they shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot They beat him up until the teardrops start But he can’t be wounded ’cause he’s got no heartLong shot of that jumping sign
Invisible shivers running down my spine Cut to baby taking off her clothes Close-up of the sign that says: “We never close”You snatch a chill and you match a cigarette
She pulls the eyes out with a face like a magnet I don’t know how much more of this I can take She’s filing her nails while they’re dragging the lakeShe is watching the detectives
“Oh, he’s so cute” She is watching the detectives Oh, and they shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot They beat him up until the teardrops start But he can’t be wounded ’cause he’s got no heartYou think you’re alone until you realize you’re in it
Now baby’s here to stay, love is here for a visit They call it instant justice when it’s past the legal limit Someone’s scratching at the window, I wonder, who is it?The detectives come to check if you belong to the parents
Who are ready to hear the worst about their daughter’s disappearance Though it nearly took a miracle to get you to stay It only took my little fingers to blow you awayJust like watching the detectives
Don’t get cute Just like watching the detectives I get so angry when the teardrops start But he can’t be wounded ’cause he’s got no heartWatching the detectives
It’s just like watching the detectives Watching the detectives Watching the detectives Watching the detectives We’re watching the detectives They’re watching the detectives Watching the detectives Watching the detectivesAVAILABLE ON
- My Aim Is True | Buy this CD
FURTHER INVESTIGATION
- It’s Only Words
Lyrics to Some Songs About Private Eyes