Human Hands

I've been talking to the wall and it's been answering me
Oh darling, how I miss you
I'm just the mere shadow of my former selfishness
I crave the silhouette of your kiss
With only the blue light of the TV on
Lip-reading threats and false alarms
There's a boy somewhere holding hands with himself
And a girl in a window on the Reeperbahn

Chorus:
Whenever I put my foot in my mouth and you begin to doubt
That it's you that I'm dreaming about
Do I have to draw you a diagram?
All I ever want is just to fall into your human hands

With the kings and queens of the dance hall craze
Checkmate in three moves in your heyday
But the girls don't listen to your line anymore
Now you're part of someone else
On the factory floor you still say "Wheres the action?"
Now you manufacture happiness
And get sold on the cheap for someone's satisfaction

(Chorus)

All you toy soldiers and scaremongers
Are you living in this world, sometimes I wonder
In between saying you've seen too much
And saying you've seen it all before
Tighter and tighter, I hold you tightly
You know I love you more than slightly
Although I've never said it like this before

(Chorus)

Human Hands
Written by	Elvis Costello
Performed by	Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Produced by	Geoff Emerick from an original idea by Elvis Costello
Musicians	Elvis Costello - vocals, guitar Steve Nieve - keyboards Bruce Thomas - bass Pete Thomas - drums
Recorded	November 1981, AIR Studios, London
Released	July 2, 1982
Albums	Imperial Bedroom, 1982
Promos	A Conversation With Elvis Costello, 1982
Length	2:42

First known performance:
March 1, 1981, St. Austell, England
Last known performance:
November 23, 2018, Thackerville, OK
(90 known performances)

Alternate versions

Human Hands (Early Version)
Performed by	Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Produced by	Geoff Emerick from an original idea by Elvis Costello
Musicians	Elvis Costello - vocals, guitar Steve Nieve - keyboards Bruce Thomas - bass Pete Thomas - drums
Recorded	November 1981, AIR Studios, London
Released	October 28, 2002
Albums	Imperial Bedroom (Rhino/Edsel reissue), 2002
Length	2:42
Note	Same instrumental track as album version but with alternate vocal and lyrics.