There's a hand on a wire that leads to my mouth
|
I can hear you knocking but I'm not coming out
|
Don't want to be a puppet or a ventriloquist
|
'Cause there's no ventilation on a critical list
|
Fingers creeping up my spine are not mine to resist
|
Strict time
|
|
[Chorus:]
|
Toughen up, toughen up
|
Keep your lip buttoned up
|
Strict time
|
|
Oh the muscles flex and the fingers curl
|
And a cold sweat breaks out on the sweater girl
|
Strict time
|
Oh he's all hands, don't touch that dial
|
The courting cold wars weekend witch trial
|
Strict time
|
All the boys are straight laced and the girls are frigid
|
The talk is two-faced and the rules are rigid 'cause it's strict time
|
Strict time
|
|
[Chorus]
|
|
You talk in hushed tones, I talk in lush tones
|
Try to look Italian through the musical Valium
|
Strict time
|
Thinking of grand larceny
|
Smoking the everlasting cigarette of chastity
|
Cute assistants staying alive
|
More like a hand job than the hand jive
|
Strict time
|
|
[Chorus]
|
|
-----------------
|
Strict Time
|
| Elvis Costello |
