ELVIS COSTELLO lyrics - Punishing Kiss

(Words: MacManus/O'Riordan, music: Costello)



I favour a good punishing kiss

It helps pass the lonely afternoons

Another stiff drink

Wipe off that lipstick

For when you reach a certain age

All the most villainous men

Can be found on Channel Ten

And I make them dance

In attendance

We will be back

In a minute or two

And he will punish that girl

Oh I forget the reason

Just look at me I'm lost in a social whirl



She was never so witty

Always struggling to be full of fun

On weekdays from midday to one

In a little black cocktail dress everyone hates

She'll be saving the world in-between fashion plates

I know what she gets up to in the back of that black limousine

And I find myself shouting at the screen

I think that it's time to turn over

They say it's harmless I know

A hundred and ten percent certain virtually real

If you need something to feel



Then favour a good punishing kiss

It helps chase the wasted afternoons

The flowers and the pearls

The long lost relations

That love sick tom boy comes in bloom

All the pointless heartache

That seems to belong in my blue bloom



Can't stand the suspense

The endless embraces

When each episode

Lends the silly pretence

Say I can turn away

When I will never miss

It starts with a joke

And ends with a punishing kiss