[Intro]
It's in the order of their hedgerows
It's in the way their curtains open and close
It's in the look they give you down their nose
All part of decency's jigsaw, I suppose
[Chorus]
Heard the neighbor slam his car door
Don't he realize this is Respectable Street?
What d'you think he bought that car for?
'Cause he realized this is Respectable Street
[Verse 1]
Now they talk about abortions
In cosmopolitan proportions to their daughters
As they speak of contraception
And immaculate receptions on their portable
Sony Entertainment Centers
[Chorus]
Heard the neighbor slam his car door
Don't he realize this is Respectable Street?
What d'you think he bought that car for?
'Cause he realized this is Respectable Street
[Verse 2]
Now she speaks about diseases
And which sex position pleases best her old man
Avon lady fills the creases
When she manages to squeeze in past the caravans
That never move from their front gardens
[Chorus]
Heard the neighbor slam his car door
Don't he realize this is Respectable Street?
What d'you think he bought that car for?
'Cause he realized this is Respectable Street
[Bridge]
It's in the order of their hedgerows
It's in the way their curtains open and close
It's in the look they give you down their nose
All part of decency's jigsaw, I suppose
[Verse 3]
Sunday church and they look fetching
Saturday night, saw him retching over our fence
Bang the wall for me to turn down
I can see them with their stern frown as they dispense
The kind of look that says they're perfect
[Chorus]
Heard the neighbor slam his car door
Don't he realize this is Respectable Street?
What d'you think he bought that car for?
'Cause he realized this is Respectable Street
[Outro]
He realized this is Respectable Street
He realized this is Respectable Street
He realized this is Respectable Street
Respectable Street was written by Andy Partridge.
Respectable Street was produced by Steve Lillywhite.
XTC released Respectable Street on Fri Mar 13 1981.
Andy Partridge said,
“Actually inspired by my neighbour who spends half her life banging on the wall should I so much as sneeze. Not knocking people who have ‘respectable’ ideals (I know I must have a few), more of a song of people with double or hypocritical values. You know the sort, blind drunk...