5ive Gears In Reverse

Five gears in reverse
For girls looking for the big lift
Somebody send out for the night nurse
Please don't stick me on the late shift
If you don't know by now
Nobody's gonna tell you
If you don't know by now
The shock will probably kill you

But if your patience is exhausted and you still cannot decide
You're sitting in the garage contemplating suicide
And you have no motivation you can't even catch your breath
All of this acceleration is driving you to death

Five gears in reverse
You think I don't know what I'm doing
Another fashionable first
Like walking down the road to ruin
But if you're safe and sound
Don't let me interrupt you
And if you're gagged and bound
Well how can I corrupt you

(chorus)

5ive Gears In Reverse
Written by	Elvis Costello
Performed by	Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Produced by	Nick Lowe
Musicians	Elvis Costello - vocals, guitar Steve Nieve - keyboards Bruce Thomas - bass Pete Thomas - drums
Recorded	October 1979, Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, Netherlands and/or Eden Studios, London
Released	February 1980
Albums	Get Happy!!, 1980
Promos	Get Happy!! (Promo Album), 1980
Length	2:37

First known performance:
August 28, 1979, Copenhagen, Denmark
Last known performance:
June 5, 2012, Amsterdam, Netherlands
(25 known performances)

Alternate versions

5ive Gears In Reverse (Demo)
Performed by	Elvis Costello
Produced by	Elvis Costello
Musicians	Elvis Costello - vocals, all instruments
Recorded	1979, Archipelago Studios, London
Released	July 28, 2003
Albums	Get Happy!! (Rhino/Edsel reissue), 2003
Length	2:31