That's How You Got Killed Before

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Well, you're standing on the corner flagging all the girls you see
Now do like EC and let those ladies be
You know that's wrong, man, you know that's wrong
Boy, you better get control -- that's how you got killed before

That girl you just met who got a big guy for a pal
Who'll put knots on your head for messing with his gal
So take it steady, man, let those women go
Well, I'm just trying to tell you -- that's how you got killed before

Now, you wouldn't listen, Ephrom, you got two black eyes
That's what you get, Daddy, for messing with men's wives
So take it steady, whoa, let those women go
Well, I'm just trying to tell you -- that's how you got killed before

Alternate lyrics

My Flame Burns Blue version


Well, you're standing on the corner flagging all the girls you see
Now do like I say and let those ladies be
You know that's wrong, man, you know that's wrong
I'm just trying to tell you -- that's how you got killed before

That girl you meddled got a big guy for a pal
He'll put knots on your head for messing with his gal
So take it easy, man, you'd better take it slow
Well, I'm just trying to tell you -- that's how you got killed before

Now, you wouldn't listen to me, you got two black eyes
That's what you get, man, for messing with men's wives
So take it easy, whoa, let those women go
I'm just trying to tell you -- that's how you got killed before

That's How You Got Killed Before
Written byDave Bartholomew
Performed byThe Dirty Dozen Brass Band (with Elvis Costello)
Produced byScott Billington
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocals
Gregory Davis - trumpet
Efrem Towns - trumpet
Kevin Harris - tenor saxophone
Roger Lewis - baritone saxophone
Charles Joseph - trombone
Kirk Joseph - Sousaphone
Jenell Marshall - drums, percussion
Danny Barker - guitar
RecordedAugust-December 1989, Sorceror Sound, New York
possible additional recording at Ultrasonic Studios, New Orleans
Released1990
AlbumsDirty Dozen Brass Band: The New Orleans Album, 1990
Kojak Variety (Rhino/Edsel edition), 2004
Various Artists collectionsSound Decisions, 1990
Length3:10


Alternate versions

That's How You Got Killed Before (Live 1986)
Performed byElvis Costello & The Confederates
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocal, guitar
James Burton - lead guitar
Jerry Scheff - bass
Jim Keltner - drums
Mitchell Froom - organ
T Bone Burnett - rhythm guitar
T-Bone Wolk - accordion
Michael Blair - percussion
Ralph Carney - saxophone
RecordedOctober 23, 1986, New York, NY
ReleasedJune 28, 1995
AlbumsKing Of America (Rykodisc/Demon reissue), 1995
King Of America (Rhino/Edsel reissue), 2005
Length3:13

That's How You Got Killed Before (Reprise) (Live 1986)
Performed byElvis Costello & The Confederates
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocal, guitar
James Burton - lead guitar
Jerry Scheff - bass
Jim Keltner - drums
Mitchell Froom - organ
T Bone Burnett - rhythm guitar
T-Bone Wolk - accordion
Michael Blair - percussion
Ralph Carney - saxophone
RecordedOctober 23, 1986, New York, NY
ReleasedJune 28, 1995
AlbumsKing Of America (Rykodisc/Demon reissue), 1995
King Of America (Rhino/Edsel reissue), 2005
Length7:00

That's How You Got Killed Before (Live 2004)
Performed byElvis Costello with The Metropole Orkest
Produced byGert-Jan van den Dolder
Arranged byVince Mendoza
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocal
Steve Nieve - piano
The Metropole Orkest
Vince Mendoza - conductor
Ruud Breuls - trumpet solo
Bart van Lier - trombone solo
Jos Beeren - tenor saxophone solo
RecordedJuly 9, 2004, The Hague, Netherlands
ReleasedJanuary 13, 2006
AlbumsMy Flame Burns Blue, 2006
Length4:14
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band: The New Orleans AlbumDirty Dozen Brass Band The New Orleans Album.jpg

King Of America1986 King Of America Album.jpg

Kojak VarietyKV album cover large.jpg

My Flame Burns BlueMy Flame Burns Blue album cover.jpg


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