Busy Bodies

So you think that you have seen her
When you're lying in between her
And you tell me that you don't care
Busy bodies getting nowhere

Everybody's getting meaner
Busy bodies
Caught in the concertina

You check her outline
Break her regulations
You watch her legs through several
Service stations

Busy bodies
Very busy
Getting nowhere
Nowhere, nowhere, nowhere

Now you're ready for the merger
With the company you're part of
And you do the dirty business
With your latest sleeping partner

You're becoming
Automatic
Busy bodies
Out playing with the traffic

You want attention
You try my patience
With the best intentions you are nothing but a nuisance

Busy bodies
Busy busy
Getting nowhere
Nowhere, nowhere, nowhere

Now you've given your performance
Though the matinee was idle
And you find out that a wave of her right hand
Could seem so tidal

Just a second
Satisfaction
Busy bodies
Temporarily out of action

You wash and brush up
You want to dress up
You want to kiss her
But she's busy with her makeup

Busy bodies
Very busy
Getting nowhere
Nowhere, nowhere, nowhere
Nowhere, nowhere, nowhere

Busy Bodies
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	August-September 1978, Eden Studios, London
Released	January 5, 1979
Albums	Armed Forces, 1979
Collections	2½ Years, 1993
Length	3:33

First known performance:
May 30, 1978, Santa Monica, CA
Last known performance:
February 14, 1979, Long Beach, CA
(10 known performances)

Alternate versions

Busy Bodies (Alternate Version)
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	August 1978, Eden Studios, London
Released	October 28, 2002
Albums	Armed Forces (Rhino/Edsel reissue), 2002 Armed Forces Super Deluxe Box Set, 2020
Promos	Selections From Armed Forces - Imperial Bedroom - Mighty Like A Rose, 2002
Length	3:47