Now that your picture's in the paper being rhythmically admired
And you can have anyone that you have ever desired
All you gotta tell me now is why, why, why, why?

Welcome to the working week
Oh, I know it don't thrill you, I hope it don't kill you
Welcome to the working week
You gotta do it till you're through it, so you better get to it

All of your family had to kill to survive
And they're still waitin' for their big day to arrive
But if they knew how I felt, they'd bury me alive

Welcome to the working week
Oh, I know it don't thrill you, I hope it don't kill you
Welcome to the working week
You gotta do it till you're through it, so you better get to it

I hear you sayin', "Hey, the city's alright," when you only read about it in books
Spend all your money gettin' so convinced that you never even bother to look
Sometimes I wonder if we're livin' in the same land
Why d'you want to be my friend when I feel like a juggler running out of hands?

Welcome to the working week
Oh, welcome to the working week


Lyrics submitted by sbaker2

Welcome to the Working Week Lyrics as written by Elvis Costello

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

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Welcome To The Working Week song meanings
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    General Comment

    This is the opener of my aim is true. An album that has Costello present an artistic personae of an angry young man and part of this anger is directed at the perceived questonable choices of people he obviously cares about. He cares about a girl friend in this song but dont care for the way she goes about her business. Certainly he attacks his girl friend in the lyrics for being shallow and naughty. It does not present himself as particularly generous in his views. Maybe he does nit feel she puts work in the relationship. Its not about work other than an analogy for her Hes disciplining her morally and nit taking her outreached hand. Maybe because she’s sexually attractive but just want his friendship. Maybe because shes just very different to him. Maybe both simultaneously. Shes the unbearable lightness if being. He is the poor hard worker. Its a mirage of their relationship and hes not satisfied.

    This dichotomy in relations of the personae runs as a thread throughout the album. Sometimes I wish I could stop you from talking when I hear the silly things you say he sings on Alison. Even the title of the album points to sincerety and aggression at the same time

    thetroggon June 10, 2021   Link

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