Watching The Detectives

Nice girls not one with a defect, cellophane shrink-wrapped, so correct. Red dogs under illegal legs. She looks so good that he gets down and begs. She is watching the detectives. "ooh, he's so cute!" She is watching the detectives when they shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot. They beat him up until the teardrops start, but he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart. Long shot of that jumping sign, Visible shivers running down my spine. Cut the baby taking off her clothes. Close-up of the sign that says,"We never close" You snatch a tune, you match a cigarette, She pulls the eyes out with a face like a magnet. I don't know how much more of this I can take. She's filing her nails while they're dragging the lake. Chorus You think you're alone until you realize you're in it. Now fear is here to stay. Love is here for a visit. They call it instant justice when it's past the legal limit. Someone's scratching at the window. I wonder who is it? The detectives come to check if you belong to the parents who are ready to hear the worst about their daughter's disappearance. Though it nearly took a miracle to get you to stay, it only took my little fingers to blow you away. Just like watching the detectives. Don't get cute!" It's just like watching the detectives. I get so angry when the teardrops start, but he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart. Watching the detectives. It's just like watching the detectives.

Written by: Elvis Costello Personnel: Elvis Costello - guitar Steve Nieve - organ and piano overdubs Andrew Bodnar - bass Steve Goulding - drums Appears on: My Aim Is True, 1977 My Aim Is True, Ryko/Demon, 199x My Aim Is True, Rhino, 200x Costello & Nieve, 1996 Cruel Smile, 2003 My Flame Burns Blue, 2006 Collections: Girls Girls Girls, 1989 Ten Bloody Marys & Ten How's Your Fathers, 199? 2½ Years, 1993 The Very Best of Elvis Costello & the Attractions, 1994 Singles, Vol. 1, 2003 Soundtracks: The Grimleys, 2001 Crimebusters & Crossed Wires: Stories from This American Life 2003 Alternate Versions: Watching The Detectives/My Funny Valentine Cruel Smile, 2002 Watching The Detectives (live with the Metropole Orkest) My Flame Burns Blue, 2006 Various Artists collections: Teenage Kicks, 2002 Ultimate New-Wave], 2003 The Stiff Records Box Set, 1992 Recorded by: Bonnie Brett The Elvis Costello Songbook 2004 Stuart Davis Davis Does Elvis 2004 Duran Duran, Thank You 1995 Jenna Mammina, Under the Influence 1999 The Po Boys, Tonight Matthew... Patrik Tanner, A Tribute to Elvis Costello 2004 Toto, Through the Looking Glass 2002 Bootlegs: Angry Young Sod 1977