Elvis Costello – Basement Kiss lyrics

Lucy Grace can't show her face down in the North End Road
For in Belgravia
Rumours have been whispered and suggestions have been made
Did you sell your friends out when the heat got too intense?
You say you like the danger but it's only a pretense
You say you need the money
When everybody knows you can always fall back on your inheritance
Did you bruise your arms on those false alarms
Did you bruise your pride on his smile so wide?
Only fingertips from forbidden bliss
Did you bruise your lips in this basement kiss?

Who's that sneaking 'round the door?
You can't come here no more
Can't you go home again?
She used to sit alone for hours
Spend her evenings watering dried flowers

When her mother came to stay and finally went to bed
Lucy Grace was in the front room shooting through your head
She tried to take your breath away and give you something else instead

Next year she'll serve her function in that Audrey Hepburn hat
It still won't suit her much but she'll get over that
She'll be pale and feign indifference as they're handling out the prizes
Spilling Daddy's pearls of wisdom
And her ugly sister's tranquillizers

Why were you so tardy putting up your guard?
When you hurt so easily and you try so hard
Did you bruise your arms on those false alarms
Did you bruise your pride on his smile so wide?
Only fingertips from forbidden bliss
Did you bruise your lips in this basement kiss?