This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Giving you more of what for
Always worked for me before
Now I'm a shabby doll
What's going on behind the green elevator door
With just a shabby doll
There's a hit man facing
A compromising situation
With just a shabby doll
And a very neat line in character assassination
She's just a shabby doll
She's just a shabby doll
She's putting him off and putting you on
She's just a shabby doll, she's just a shabby doll
You're swearing upon you know in your heart
She's gone you know in your heart
She's just a shabby doll
There's a girl in this dress
There's always a girl in distress
She's just a shabby doll
She's so sure she's self-possessed
Then again she's half undressed
She's just a shabby doll
The boy that I used to be
Showed no sign of sympathy
For just a shabby doll
I have betrayed you and me
And paid for my own bribery
With just a shabby doll
She's just a shabby doll
She's putting him off and putting you on
She's just a shabby doll, she's just a shabby doll
You're swearing upon you know in your heart
She's gone you know in your heart
She's just a shabby doll
He's the tired toy that everyone's enjoyed
He wants to be a fancy man but he's nothing but a antsy boy
He's all pride and no joy
And being what you might call a whore
Always worked for me before
Now I'm a shabby doll
Untie the gag the cat's out of the bag
But won't show his claws
He's just a shabby doll
She said you must be joking
Some things are left unspoken
You're just a shabby doll
He's lying limp and soaking
He was openly broken
By just a shabby doll
She's just a shabby doll
She's putting him off and putting you on
She's just a shabby doll, she's just a shabby doll
You're swearing upon you know in your heart
She's gone you know in your heart
She's just a shabby doll
He's just a shabby doll
He's just a shabby doll
Always worked for me before
Now I'm a shabby doll
What's going on behind the green elevator door
With just a shabby doll
There's a hit man facing
A compromising situation
With just a shabby doll
And a very neat line in character assassination
She's just a shabby doll
She's just a shabby doll
She's putting him off and putting you on
She's just a shabby doll, she's just a shabby doll
You're swearing upon you know in your heart
She's gone you know in your heart
She's just a shabby doll
There's a girl in this dress
There's always a girl in distress
She's just a shabby doll
She's so sure she's self-possessed
Then again she's half undressed
She's just a shabby doll
The boy that I used to be
Showed no sign of sympathy
For just a shabby doll
I have betrayed you and me
And paid for my own bribery
With just a shabby doll
She's just a shabby doll
She's putting him off and putting you on
She's just a shabby doll, she's just a shabby doll
You're swearing upon you know in your heart
She's gone you know in your heart
She's just a shabby doll
He's the tired toy that everyone's enjoyed
He wants to be a fancy man but he's nothing but a antsy boy
He's all pride and no joy
And being what you might call a whore
Always worked for me before
Now I'm a shabby doll
Untie the gag the cat's out of the bag
But won't show his claws
He's just a shabby doll
She said you must be joking
Some things are left unspoken
You're just a shabby doll
He's lying limp and soaking
He was openly broken
By just a shabby doll
She's just a shabby doll
She's putting him off and putting you on
She's just a shabby doll, she's just a shabby doll
You're swearing upon you know in your heart
She's gone you know in your heart
She's just a shabby doll
He's just a shabby doll
He's just a shabby doll
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Shabby Doll Lyrics as written by Elvis Costello
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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There is a silent Thanhouser Company film from 1913 called "Just a Shabby Doll."
thanhouser.org/tcocd/Filmography_files/ind5d1iym.htm
I don't think the film has much to do with the lyrics, but I wouldn't doubt that Costello took the phrase from the film's title.
This is one of my very favorite Elvis Costello songs, and I am shocked that nobody else has commented on it!