You Gotta Lose

Lyrics

I hope I don't seem immodest when I tell you that my

Mother was a pinhead and my father was a fly

That's why I love you darlin' with a love that's so unique

Your glistenin' wings they complement your head's exquisite peak

They all died by coin toss

Love's a form of memory loss

I can't forget that triple cross

You gotta lose

You gotta lose

Not so long ago I knew a guy who thought he can't be beat

But he got rabies on his rubies so he can't unlace his feet

For twenty minutes yesterday felt great, felt insensate

But when you're twenty minutes late your fate is patient and will wait

They all died by coin toss

Love's a form of memory loss

I can't forget that triple cross

You gotta lose

You gotta lose

I know it's hard for you to face the fact Max Factor failed your face

And your social life's misshapen cuz you feel so out of place

Those magic men you want to ask your soul to keep

They only love you from a distance one man deep

They all died by coin toss

Love's a form of memory loss

I can't forget that triple cross

You gotta lose

You gotta lose

You gotta lose

You gotta lose

You gotta lose

You gotta lose

You gotta lose

You gotta lose

You gotta lose

You gotta lose

You gotta lose

You gotta lose

Credits

• Written by: Richard Hell
• Recorded at CBGB, New York, NY, 1978-10-18
• Musicians:

Elvis Costello - lead vocal, lead guitar

Richard Hell & The Voidoids:

Richard Hell - background vocal

Robert Quine - guitar

Ivan Julian - guitar

Marc Bell - drums

Jerry Antonius - bass

Frank Mauro - drums

Discography

Albums:

• Richard Hell - Time, 2002

Singles:

• none

Collections:

• none

Soundtracks:

• none

Various Artists collections:

• none

Alternate Versions:

• none

Covers

Recorded by:

• Richard Hell, on Blank Generation EP, 1976
• The Heartbreakers, on What Goes Around, 1992 (recorded 1975)
• Dim Stars, on Dim Stars EP, 1992
• Thee Headcoats, on Brother Is Dead... But Fly Is Gone!, 2003

Bootlegs

• This section may be incomplete.