Pretty Words Songtext

von Elvis Costello

I ask you nicely Get my face slapped under wraps What's going on precisely Is there something wrong perhaps?
Surprise, surprise (surprise, surprise) It's more like a booby trap than a booby prize
Civil disobedience from a soldier with a dirty rifle You're loosening all the screws that hold the hinges of my life
Fat cats and army brats Hep cats and dog tags pawing over girly mags
Chorus: Pretty words don't mean much anymore I don't mean to be mean much anymore All I see are snapshots, big shots, tender spots (1) mug shots, machine slots (2) machine slots, mug shots Till you don't know what's what You don't know what you got
Curious women running after curious men Curiosity didn't kill the cat It was a poisoned pen But there's not much choice (it's Hobson's choice) Between a cruel mouth and a jealous voice
Got back to London Picked a paper from the mat No words of consolation Just cartoons and chitter chatter Well well, fancy that Millions murdered for a kiss me quick hat No backbone, blood and guts Better keep your big mouth shut
Chorus