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45 Lyrics
Bells are chiming for victory
There's a page back in history
45
They came back to the world that they fought for
Didn't turn out just like they thought
45
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
45
Nine years more, if we're lucky now
Nine-year-old puts his money down
45
Every scratch, every click, every heartbeat
Every breath that I held for you
45
There's a stack of shellac and vinyl
Which is yours now and which is mine?
45
Repeat 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 the revolutions
45
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"
45
Bells are chiming and tears are falling
It creeps up on you without a warning
45
Every scratch, every click, every heartbeat
Every breath that I bless
I'd be lost, I confess
45
Costello wrote this on his 45th birthday. It is a look back on his life. Also, Costello liked the lyrical quality of the number 45. The year 1945 was significant in English history, and he had fond memories of 45 RPM albums.
@HazMatador Add the Colt .45 pistol for the 'I heard something peculiar said . . .' verse, and that's it
@HazMatador Add the Colt .45 pistol for the 'I heard something peculiar said . . .' verse, and that's it
"Nine years later a child is born" In general it's telling a story, but considering Costello was born in 1954, this part seems to be referring to him considering 45+9=54.