Lyrics The Beat - Elvis Costello, The Attractions

The Beat

Were all going on a summer holiday
Vigilantes coming out to follow me.
Heard somebody say theyre out to collar me.
Anybody wanna swallow me?
It takes two to tumble.
it takes two to tango.
Speak up;
dont mumble if youre in the combo.
On the beat, on the beat.
Till a man comes along and he says,
have you been a good boy, never played with your toy?
Though you never enjoy, such pleasure to employ.
See your friends in the state their in.
See your friends getting under their skin.
See your friends getting taken in.
Well, if you only knew the things you do to me.
Id do anything to confuse the enemy.
Theres only one thing wrong with you befriending me.
Take it easy.
I think youre bending me.
Ive been a bad boy with the standard leader.
My neighbors revving up his vauxhall viva.
On the beat, on the upbeat.
Till a man comes along and he says,
have you been a good boy, never played with your toy?
Though you never enjoy, such pleasure to employ.
See your friends walking down the street.
See your friends never quite complete.
See your friends getting under their feet.
Oh, I dont want to disease you,
But Im no good with machinery.
Oh, I dont wanna freeze you.
Stop looking at the scenry.
I keep thinking about your mother.
Oh, I dont wanna lick them.
I dont wanna be a lover.
I just wanna be your victim.
I dont go out much at night.
I dont go out much at all.
Did you think you were the only one
Who was waiting for a call
On the beat, on the upbeat.
Till a man comes along and he says,
have you been a good boy, never played with your toy?
Though you never enjoy, such pleasure to employ.
See your friends treat me like a stranger.
See your friends despite all the arrangements.
See your friends nothing here has changed.
Just the beat.