Elvis Costello - The Beat lyrics

We're all going on a summer holiday Vigilantes coming out to follow me Heard somebody say they're out to collar me Anybody want to swallow me? It takes two to tumble, it takes two to tango Speak up, don't mumble if you're in the combo On the beat (on the beat), on the beat (on the beat) Till a man comes along and he says "Have you been a good boy, never played with your toy? Though you never enjoy, such a pleasure to employ" See your friends in the state they're in See your friends getting under their skin See your friends getting taken in Well, if you only knew the things you do to me I'd do anything to confuse the enemy There's only one thing wrong with you befriending me Take it easy, I think you're bending me I've been a bad boy with the standard leader My neighbor's revving up his Vauxhall Viva On the beat (on the beat), on the upbeat (upbeat) Till a man comes along and he says "Have you been a good boy, never played with your toy? Though you never enjoy, such a pleasure to employ" See your friends walking down the street See your friends never quite complete See your friends getting under their feet Oh, I don't want to disease you But I'm no good with machinery Oh, I don't want to freeze you Stop looking at the scenery I keep thinking about your mother Oh, I don't want to lick them I don't want to be a lover I just want to be your victim I don't go out much at night I don't go out much at all Did you think you were the only one Who was waiting for a call? On the beat (on the beat) on the beat (on the beat) on the upbeat (upbeat) Till a man comes along and he says "Have you been a good boy, never played with your toy? Though you never enjoy, such a pleasure to employ" See your friends treat me like a stranger See your friends despite all the arrangements See your friends, nothing here has changed Just the beat (just the beat) just the beat (just the beat) Just the beat (just the beat) just the beat