Cheap Reward

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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

Cheap Reward (Honky Tonk Demo)
Written byElvis Costello
Performed byElvis Costello
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocal, guitar
Recordedlate 1975-early 1976, Elvis' bedroom, London
ReleasedOctober 15, 1993
AlbumsMy Aim Is True (Rykodisc/Demon reissue), 1993
My Aim Is True (Rhino/Edsel reissue), 2001
Collections2½ Years, 1993
Length2:16

Background:
 Broadcast by Charlie Gillett on his BBC Radio London programme Honky Tonk 1976-08-15.
First known performance:
May 19, 2006, Atlantic City, NJ
Last known performance:
February 9, 2023, New York, NY
     (17 known performances)


My Aim Is TrueMAIT UK initial album cover large.jpg

2½ Years2½ Years album cover.jpg

Covers

Billie Joe Armstrong - with Elvis Costello performed live, 2006-05-19, Atlantic City, NJ - taping for Decades Rock Live 2006 YouTube  (audience video)
Stephen Colbert performed live, 2009-11-19, The Colbert Report - with EC on guitar 2009 YouTube
Elvis Cortez The Leftovers 2013 Amazon
The Devil Makes Three Do Wrong Right 2009 AllMusicAmazon
The Devil Makes Three performed live, 2009, Minneapolis, MN 2009 etree.org
The Devil Makes Three performed live, 2009-10-22, Eugene, Oregon 2009 YouTube
Front Porch Millie performed live, 2008, Fargo, ND 2008 YouTube
Carolyn Mark performed live, 2007-12-15, Vancouver 2007 YouTube
Mike Herrera performed live, September 2009, Bremerton, WA 2009 archive.org
JJ Nobody And The Regulars Rock 'n' Roll Doesn't End At 2:00 2001 AllMusicAmazon
Rogue States performed live, 2010, Taxi Sessions 2010 YouTube
Kevin Seconds performed live, 2017-03-16, Harlow's, Sacramento, CA 2017 YouTube

Internal links

External links