Bells are chiming for victory
There's a page back in history
Forty five
They came back to the world that they fought for
Didn't turn out just like they thought
Forty five

Here is a song to sing to do the measuring
What you lose, what you gain, what you win?

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

Here is a song to sing to do the measuring
What you lose, what you gain, what you win?

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 thirty three and a third
'Cause it helps with the elocution
Corporations turn revolutions
Forty five

So don't you weep and shed
Just change your name instead
What 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"
Forty five

Bells are chiming and tears are falling
It creeps up on you without a warning
Forty five
Every scratch, every click, every heartbeat
Every breath that I bless
I'd be lost, I confess
Forty five, forty-five, forty-five, forty-five, yeah

Ooo ooo ooo ooo
Ooo ooo ooo ooo
Ooo ooo ooo ooo
Ooo ooo ooo ooo
Ooo ooo ooo ooo
Ooo ooo ooo ooo


Lyrics submitted by typo

45 Lyrics as written by Elvis Costello

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

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45 song meanings
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2 Comments

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  • +1
    General CommentCostello 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.
    HazMatadoron April 24, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment"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.
    VictoriaLeeon May 10, 2010   Link

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