This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
How come he don't come and PLP with me
Down at the meter no more?
And how come he turn off the TV?
And he hang that sign on the door?
We call and we call
"How come?" we say
Hey, what could make a boy behave this way?
So he has learnt all of the lines now
And every time, he don't stutter when he talks
It's true! It's true!
He sure has acquired this kinda cool
And inspired sorta jazz when he walks
Where's his jacket and his old blue jeans?
Well, this ain't healthy, it is some kinda clean
That means
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
I don't believe what you're saying to me
This is something that I've got to see
Is he here?
I look in the poolhall
Well, is he here?
I look in the drugstore
Is he here?
No, he don't come here no more
I'll tell you what, I saw him
He was sitting behind us down in the pantages
And whatever it is that he's got up his sleeve
Well, I hope it isn't contagious
What's her name?
Is that her there?
Oh, Christ, I think he's even combed his hair
Is that her?
Well, then what's her name?
Oh, it's never gonna be the same
But that's not her
I know what's wrong
'Cause Chuck E.'s in love
With the little girl singin' this song
Don't you know?
Chuck E.'s in love, yeah yeah
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love, my my
Chuck E.'s in
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
He's in love
Love with me
Down at the meter no more?
And how come he turn off the TV?
And he hang that sign on the door?
We call and we call
"How come?" we say
Hey, what could make a boy behave this way?
So he has learnt all of the lines now
And every time, he don't stutter when he talks
It's true! It's true!
He sure has acquired this kinda cool
And inspired sorta jazz when he walks
Where's his jacket and his old blue jeans?
Well, this ain't healthy, it is some kinda clean
That means
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
I don't believe what you're saying to me
This is something that I've got to see
Is he here?
I look in the poolhall
Well, is he here?
I look in the drugstore
Is he here?
No, he don't come here no more
I'll tell you what, I saw him
He was sitting behind us down in the pantages
And whatever it is that he's got up his sleeve
Well, I hope it isn't contagious
What's her name?
Is that her there?
Oh, Christ, I think he's even combed his hair
Is that her?
Well, then what's her name?
Oh, it's never gonna be the same
But that's not her
I know what's wrong
'Cause Chuck E.'s in love
With the little girl singin' this song
Don't you know?
Chuck E.'s in love, yeah yeah
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love, my my
Chuck E.'s in
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
He's in love
Love with me
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Chuck E's in Love Lyrics as written by Rickie Lee Jones
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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What does “P.I.P.” mean? I checked Wikipedia and the Urban Dictionary, and nothing makes sense.
What is “The Meter”? Was it a pool hall, or a bar, in Los Angeles or Denver, or something?
@MustangSally777 I wondered about this for years too. I think the answer is that the transcription is wrong, she's actually saying "PLP" as in Public Leaning Post