Cheap Reward

Lyrics

Oh, well, I feel so loose tonight I might fall to pieces

So be prepared to sweep me out the door

And I might be horizontal by the time the music ceases

So I think I'll get acquainted with the floor

Oh, I was trying to get away from the things that I always do

Hello, floorboards once again--how are you?

Lip Service--well, that's all you'll ever get from me

Well, how could you believe I'll take you seriously?

With your cheap rewards, your blackmail, and your comical rage

Just remember you'll only be the boss so long as you pay my wage

All the sign posts on this road that point one way

Don't act like you're above me, just look at your shoes

I'll turn the light out now 'cause there's nothing more to say

And it's all been lost before so there's nothing to lose

Oh, but you could say that you love me very painlessly

I would've done the same for you, oh, but you said to me:

Lip service--well, that's all you'll ever get from me

Well, how could you believe I'd take you seriously?

With your cheap rewards, your blackmail, and your comical rage

Just remember you'll only be the boss so long as you pay my wage

Just remember you'll only be the boss so long as you pay my wage

Credits

• Written by: Elvis Costello
• Recorded in Elvis' bedroom, late 1975/early 1976
• First broadcast by Charlie Gillett on his BBC Radio London programme Honky Tonk 1976-08-15
• Musicians:

Elvis Costello - vocals, guitar

Discography

Albums:

• My Aim Is True (reissue), Rykodisc/Demon, 1993
• My Aim Is True (Deluxe Edition), Rhino, 2001

Singles:

• none

Collections:

• 2½ Years, 1993
• This section may be incomplete.

Alternate Versions:

• This section may be incomplete.

Soundtracks:

• none

Various Artists collections:

• none

Covers

Recorded by:

• none
• This section may be incomplete.

Performed by:

• none
• This section may be incomplete.

Bootlegs

• Cornered On Plastic
• Honky Tonk Demos
• This section may be incomplete.