45 Lyrics

Elvis Costello 45

Bells are chiming for victory
There's a page back in history
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They came back to the world that they fought for
Didn't turn out just like they thought
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[Chorus:]
Here is a song to sing to do the measuring
What did you lose?
What did you gain?
What did you win?

Nine years later a child is born
There's a record, so you put it on
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Nine years more, if we're lucky now
Nine-year-old puts his money down
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Every scratch, every click, every heartbeat
Every breath that I held for you
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There's a stack of shellac and vinyl
Which is yours now and which is mine?
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[Chorus]

Bass and treble heal every hurt
There's a rebel in a nylon shirt
But the words are a mystery, I've heard
'Til you turn it down to 33 and 1/3
'Cos it helps with the elocution
Corporations turn revolutions
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So don't you weep and shed
Just change your name instead
What do you lose when it all goes to your head?

I heard something peculiar said:
"Perhaps he's got a shot and now he's dead"
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Bells are chiming and tears are falling
It creeps up on you without a warning
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Every scratch, every click, every heartbeat
Every breath that I bless
I'd be lost, I confess
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