Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
[Verse 1]
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 (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
Mug shots, machine slots
You don't know what's what
You don't know what you got
[Verse 2]
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 (well well fancy that)
Millions murdered for a kiss me quick hat
No backbone, blood and guts
Better keep your big mouth shut
[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
Machine slots, mug shots
You don't know what's what
You don't know what you got
[Outro]
You don't know what you got
You don't know what you got
Pretty Words was written by Elvis Costello.
Pretty Words was produced by Nick Lowe.
Elvis Costello released Pretty Words on Fri Jan 23 1981.