Pump it Up by Elvis Costello

I just realized that this blog needs an Elvis Costello post. I would be the first person to say that I'm not really a big Costello fan. I came to appreciate him by catching a cover version of one of his songs, "(What's So Funny) Peace, Love and Understanding".

If my memory serves me right, I discovered Pump it Up via a bass player magazine that discussed the basslines on some Elvis Costello songs.

I've been on tenterhooks
ending in dirty looks,
list'ning to the Muzak,
thinking 'bout this 'n' that.
She said that's that.
I don't wanna chitter-chat.
Turn it down a little bit
or turn it down flat.
Pump it up when you don't really need it.
Pump it up until you can feel it.
Down in the pleasure centre,
hell bent or heaven sent,
listen to the propaganda,
listen to the latest slander.
There's nothing underhand
that she wouldn't understand.
Pump it up until you can feel it.
Pump it up when you don't really need it.
She's been a bad girl.
She's like a chemical.
Though you try to stop it,
she's like a narcotic.
You wanna torture her.
You wanna talk to her.
All the things you bought for her,
putting up your temp'rature.
Pump it up until you can feel it.
Pump it up when you don't really need it.
Out in the fashion show,
down in the bargain bin,
you put your passion out
under the pressure pin.
Fall into submission,
hit-and-run transmission.
No use wishing now for any other sin.
Pump it up until you can feel it.
Pump it up when you don't really need it.