Elvis Costello - Pretty Words

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