Cover art for The Loved Ones by Elvis Costello

The Loved Ones

Jul. 2, 19821 viewer

The Loved Ones Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Don't get smart or sarcastic
He snaps back just like elastic
Spare us the theatrics and the verbal gymnastics
We break wise guys just like matchsticks

[Pre-Chorus 1]
What would the loved ones say
(Your pride and joy is all blown up)
What would the loved ones say
(The bride and boy are barely grown up)
You're not my particular poison
I've got nothing against you myself
You could have been a danger to the boys and girls
Now you're a danger to yourself

[Chorus]
Oh, what would the loved ones say?
What would the loved ones say?
Oh, what would the loved ones say?
What would the loved ones say?

[Bridge]
The ugly little dreams run 'round your bed
The ugly little scenes you get the needle and no thread
They stitched you up this time
They say you'll do
They bitch about your pretty face turning ugly on you
[Verse 2]
The butcher, baker, and the bass-line maker
Say, "You can leave her I can take her"
You spend your whole life like a minute or two later
One day its going to end sooner than greater

[Pre-Chorus 2]
What would the loved ones say
(He'll be remembered young and pretty)
What would the loved ones say
(Now he's a hit in every city)
Now there's a name we'll never forget
There's one born every minute or two
Don't pin a medal on me yet
They might be waiting for you

[Chorus]
Oh, what would the loved ones say?
What would the loved ones say?
Oh, what would the loved ones say?
What would the loved ones say?

[Outro]
P.P.S. I-L-O-V-E-Y-O-U
P.P.S. I L-O-V-E Y-O-U
P.P.S. I L-O-V-E Y-O-U
P.P.S. I L-O-V-E Y-O-U

How to Format Lyrics:

  • Type out all lyrics, even repeating song parts like the chorus
  • Lyrics should be broken down into individual lines
  • Use section headers above different song parts like [Verse], [Chorus], etc.
  • Use italics (<i>lyric</i>) and bold (<b>lyric</b>) to distinguish between different vocalists in the same song part
  • If you don’t understand a lyric, use [?]

To learn more, check out our transcription guide or visit our transcribers forum

About

This song bio is unreviewed
Genius Annotation

‘The Loved One" was a 1948 satirical novel by Evelyn Waugh, describing events around a Hollywood funeral parlor and the expat British community there. At various points in the song, we’re asked what 'loved ones’, ie mourners, might think of the protagonist’s self-destructive, drug-fuelled actions; and how they might be viewed by posterity.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Credits
Recorded At
AIR Studios, London
Release Date
July 2, 1982
Tags
Comments