When nobody knows she puts on secret clothes
And lies in the meadow with her hands tied behind her back
I won't refuse if you know how to use it
Just stop playing that ugly drug music

Thirteen steps lead down
Thirteen steps lead down
There's commoners and kings
And everyone's a prisoner of
Paper and glue
And a decent pair of scissors
So tonight I'm drinking to your health
Because I just can't stand myself

Thirteen steps lead down
Thirteen steps lead down
Thirteen steps lead down
Thirteen steps lead down

She stands and fails
On fashion fingernails
Her lovers have her walking 'round
On instruments of torture
And one of them is poisonous
The other is a thief they say
So what one could give to her
The other cannot take away

When nobody knows she puts on secret clothes
And lies in her splendor for a picture opportunity
Cover up that bruise, put on patent leather shoes
Just stop playing that bad mood music baby

Thirteen steps lead down
Thirteen steps lead down
There's commoners and kings
And everyone's a prisoner of
Paper and glue
And a decent pair of scissors
So tonight I'm drinking to your health
Because I just can't stand myself

Thirteen steps lead down
Thirteen steps lead down
Thirteen steps lead down
Thirteen steps lead down


Lyrics submitted by Mopnugget

13 Steps Lead Down Lyrics as written by Elvis Costello

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

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13 Steps Lead Down song meanings
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  • -1
    My Interpretation

    I always felt it was about 12 step programs and relapse. The lines "Theres commoners and kings And everyones a prisoner of Paper and glue And a decent pair of scissors", to me, mean anyone of any social status can be affected by addiction, and the meetings have bulletin boards and meeting props consisting of head-lines, collages, hand-made motivational quotes, etc. (paper and glue). The decent pair of scissors has a double meaning to me: one, they're used to make the collages and props and whatnot, and, two, the feeling attendees have that their lives are being cut into and shredded.

    How does all this relate to the rest of the song? Well, I think the characters are all in that seedy world that is the result of unchecked addiction, low self-esteem, and lack of decency - seedy people taking advantage of an insecure woman who goes along with their not so gentle prodding - doing things she hates doing, which destroys her self-esteem, leading to her chemical addictions requiring the help of 12 step programs, and, then, a vicious cycle.

    JSidon December 24, 2014   Link

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