originally performed by Elvis Costello
Don't start me talking
I could talk all night
My mind goes sleepwalking
While I'm putting the world to right
Called careers information
Have you got yourself an occupation?
Oliver's army is here to stay
Oliver's army are on their way
And I would rather be anywhere else
But here today
There was a checkpoint Charlie
He didn't crack a smile
But it's no laughing party
When you've been on the murder mile
Only takes one itchy trigger
One more widow, one less white nigger
(Chorus)
Hong Kong is up for grabs
London is full of Arabs
We could be in Palestine
Overrun by a Chinese line
With the boys from the Mersey and the Thames and the Tyne
But there's no danger
It's a professional career
Though it could be arranged
With just a word in Mr. Churchill's ear
If you're out of luck or out of work
We could send you to Johannesburg
(Chorus)Trying to run from what you are
Afraid of being alive
Hands shaking body aching
The abuse left a permanent scar
So now to get by you do whatever it takes
You need your reality to hit your veins again
Don't try to blame anyone
Your blame is self chosen
Don't come looking for sympathy
'Cause you won't get it from me
You're nothing but a burned out wreck
That solves problems with another hit
The remedy in a bag
Served up on a spoon
Starts to serve it's purpose
To kill the pain!
Looking for the utopia you found the first time
Will you ever get there again
Increase the dose and soon you'll find out
Was it too much or just enough
The chemical satan has got you in his hell
Don't you think you're better off dead
Don't try to blame anyone
Your pain is self chosen
Don't come looking for sympathy
'Cause you won't get it from me
You're nothing but a burned out wreck
That solves problems with another hit
The remedy in a bag
Served up on a spoon
Starts to serve it's purpose
To kill the pain!
I need to kill the pain, kill it again
Need to release my pain, kill myself again
Traded your life for a fix
The remedy in a bag
Served up on a spoon
Starts to serve it's purpose
To kill the pain!
I need to
Release my pain
Help me to
Kill the pain