Costello, Elvis - Watching The Detectives Lyrics






Nice girls not one with a defect
Cellophane shrink-wrapped, so correct
Red dogs under illegal legs
She looks so good that he gets down and begs

She is watching the detectives
"Ooh, he's so cute!"
She is watching the detectives
When they shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot
They beat him up until the teardrops start
But he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart

Long shot of that jumping sign
Visible shivers running down my spine
Cut the baby taking off her clothes
Close-up of the sign that says,"We never close"
You snatch a tune, you a match a cigarette
She pulls the eyes out with a face like a magnet
I don't know how much more of this I can take
She's filing her nails while they're dragging the lake

She is watching the detectives
"Ooh, he's so cute!"
She is watching the detectives
When they shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot
They beat him up until the teardrops start
But he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart

You think you're alone until you realize you're in it
Now fear is here to stay. Love is here for a visit
They call it instant justice when it's past the legal limit
Someone's scratching at the window. I wonder who is it?
The detectives come to check if you belong to the parents
Who are ready to hear the worst about their daughter's disappearance
Though it nearly took a miracle to get you to stay
It only took my little fingers to blow you away

Just like watching the detectives
"Don't get cute!"
It's just like watching the detectives
I get so angry when the teardrops start
But he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart
Watching the detectives
It's just like watching the detectives

Watching the detectives...





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Costello, Elvis Watching The Detectives Comments
  1. h.... ....

    Just saw him in a rerun of "2 1/2 Men" 1-29-2020

  2. S.... ....

    "We are each our own devil, and we make this world our hell."
    Oscar Wilde.

    S.... ....

    What shite you talk

  3. t.... j....

    i thank fuck i was born in 61......i got to collect the best of the best and all uk.

  4. k.... ....

    Still listening in 2020? I am!

  5. C.... i....

    Classic

  6. S.... R....

    Another Great 👍 Song by Elvis Costello

  7. K.... K....

    🎼 ”The detectives come to check if you belong to the parents ... " 🎼

    One wonders how they succeeded with that in the ’70s when DNA samples hardly were an available alternative 😉.

  8. S.... S....

    I fuck him ..1978

  9. R.... K....

    I think I'm alone, oh no I'm in it.

  10. J.... W....

    A milf in her mid thirties lounging lakeside in her white one-piece bathing suit with red polka dots, nervously chomping on a piece of gum looking out over the top of her Jackie O sunglasses at the authorities dragging the lake for bodies as she files down her blood red fingernails.

  11. J.... H....

    Its Detective;Playing mode
    The Drummer sayin this is
    a Big Hitt

  12. d.... ....

    I met Elvis Costello after his show.. Such a nice guy !

  13. M.... m....

    December 31 2019

  14. d.... ....

    KILLER TUNE

  15. m.... n....

    Love watching the detective’s especially if they are hot lol...

  16. T.... M....

    My Rock Request Show

  17. m.... g....

    Genius..holds up powerfully today as it did when I was in high school

  18. P.... S....

    Life is absurd especially in 2020!!

  19. K.... M....

    One of his best. Used to do this one in my band in the early 80s. Allison too, and oh yes, Peace, Love and Understanding (awesome song by Nick Lowe)...

  20. k.... M....

    As a 17 Yr old when this came out, it was life changing for me.. Still love it.

  21. L.... O....

    duran duran brought me here

  22. M.... A....

    I don't know how much more of this I can take ........

  23. B.... G....

    It's the songwriting, that's what first got my attention back in the day.

  24. S.... P....

    Reggae, New wave, Power pop, Dub

  25. B.... u....

    awesome, so underated peace u.k.

    B.... u....

    If you are from the uk they better bands\musicians then here in the states

  26. J.... H....

    Nasty dogs by Zz top.

  27. J.... H....

    Illegal x ..Paris ... good lingo.

  28. I.... O....

    Jesus Christ, the bass in this. Just got a new bass, was all "hey, watching the detectives is bass heavy, learn that" and I'm dumb, this is complex and interesting. Hysteria by Muse is great but this is more complex to me.

    I.... O....

    The difficulty is mostly in the timing and feel. It's a very reggae influenced track and line and that style can be hard to cop at first. Main thing is really focusing on laying back and not pushing the song at all.

  29. s.... w....

    elvis was such a lyricists..!

  30. K.... ....

    "Tell your boss to tell his boss to tell HIS boss to tell Gatsby that Laurie Juspeczyk knows what REALLY happened on 11/2.
    I'll wait."

  31. S.... ....

    I prefer the DD cover. Now kill me.

  32. D.... W....

    she's filing her nails while they drag the lake

  33. D.... B....

    Should have said this was my first experience back in the70s 😂

  34. D.... B....

    First experience of elvis costello and have been in love with his style ever since.

  35. D.... D....

    Hope your legs get better Dec....

  36. P.... ....

    The only thing that kept me from quitting a band I was in was that they finally agreed to do this song.

    P.... ....

    WTF? Were ya doin DEATH METAL er somethin?

  37. B.... ....

    Fucking CRACKING song. Thumbs up.

  38. T.... M....

    Hey Max...remember this tune while feeding puppy kennels? Happy days 1977 - Salford

  39. a.... p....

    I have to admit that despite his obvious geekiness, Elvis Costello made some good records.
    This one is pure greatness.

  40. d.... ....

    Thank You Peer Pressure and East Village Radio Archives for bringing this to my attention. Miss shows that make me run to music, and NOT from it! Peace.

  41. k.... e....

    It's a combination of sciences xxx many many sciences xxx thankyou my hero xxx thankyou xxx all ANONYMOUS together xxx

  42. k.... e....

    Even when wearing forensic suits, cross contamination occurs xxx along with genetic testing needs virology testing too

  43. T.... R....

    "....don't get CUUUUTTTEEEEE..."

  44. T.... R....

    this motherfucker is so good

  45. J.... D....

    11/9/19 listening

  46. r.... ....

    Nice girls, not one with a defect
    Cellophane shrink-wrapped, so correct
    Red dogs under illegal x
    She looks so good that he gets down and begs
    She is watching the detectives
    "Ooh, he's so cute"
    She is watching the detectives
    When they shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot
    They beat him up until the teardrops start
    But he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart

  47. r.... ....

    Actually I think i prefer young snarling posturing Elvis to older melancholy Elvis.

  48. D.... M....

    Here's a great cover, definitely worth a listen..

    https://youtube.com/watch?v=8CQcyM6P1gM

  49. F.... L....

    Anyone else come from Benidorm

    F.... L....

    no.. loser.

  50. D.... k....

    She's filing her nails while their draggin the lake. / Film-noir perfection from an era when most people completely forgot about Film-noirs ( except , for " China Town.") save a brilliant, talented, nerdy English man.

  51. T.... A....

    This song turns me into a raging hormone 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

  52. C.... C....

    Show some love for Clover

  53. J.... G....

    fav line from a song ever.. shes filing her nails while they`re dragging the lake ...

  54. M.... ....

    . . I don't know how much more of this I can take. She's filing her nails while their dragging the lake . . '

  55. J.... ....

    I just noticed Elvis was feelin' pretty at the start of this one. totally jammin. but he's so attractive, and it's a great song all the same
    [holy crap, just looked it up. elvis wrote this 2 years before steve's song]

  56. C.... S....

    Heard this first time today

    C.... S....

    Me Too.

  57. T.... R....

    I came here from Izombie, just 3 sec of the song sent me on this blessed journey

    T.... R....

    fuck you, loser.

  58. R.... W....

    I don't like the way he sings. He puts on a strange voice

  59. k.... c....

    Elvis....NOT L7

  60. Y.... ....

    Elvis Costello - Watching the Detectives
    Nice girls, not one with a defect
    Cellophane shrink-wrapped, so correct
    Red dogs under illegal x
    She looks so good that he gets down and begs


    She is watching the detectives
    "Ooh, he's so cute"
    She is watching the detectives
    When they shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot
    They beat him up until the teardrops start
    But he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart


    Long shot at that jumping sign
    Invisible shivers running down my spine
    Cut to baby taking off her clothes
    Close-up of the sign that says "We never close"
    He snatches at you and you match his cigarette
    She pulls the eyes out with a face like a magnet
    I don't know how much more of this I can take
    She's filing her nails while they're dragging the lake


    She is watching the detectives
    "Ooh, he's so cute"
    She is watching the detectives
    Oh when they shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot
    They beat him up until the teardrops start
    But he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart


    You think you're alone until you realize you're in it
    Now fear is here to stay, love is here for a visit
    They call it instant justice when it's past the legal limit
    Someone's scratching at the window, I wonder who is it?
    The detectives come to check if you belong to the parents
    Who are ready to hear the worst about their daughter's disappearance
    Though it nearly took a miracle to get you to stay
    It only took my little fingers to blow you away


    Just like watching the detectives
    Don't get cute
    Just like watching the detectives
    I get so angry when the teardrops start
    But he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart


    Watching the detectives
    It's just like watching the detectives
    Watching the detectives
    Watching the detectives


    Watching the detectives
    Watching the detectives
    They're watching the detectives
    Watching the detectives

    Y.... ....

    Red dogs under illegal legs

    Y.... ....

    Long shot of that “jump in” sign

  61. T.... M....

    Purealternative FM

  62. B.... S....

    It only takes my little fingers to blow u away

  63. C.... v....

    oh my god memories of a mis spent youth Camden 1977 wow i still have this on an acetate great stuff

  64. J.... C....

    Elvis is a genious

  65. C.... K....

    This song by it self is better than any top ten I’ve heard in 2019.😎

  66. S.... k....

    That Sumner Coy really is a genius

  67. P.... C....

    I’m seeing him again November 7th

    P.... C....

    Nov 11 at Hard Rock Orlando ... sadly with the Imposters not the attractions.

    P.... C....

    Yeah , me too ! Last night really ! Show was great Hard Rock sucked as a venue.

  68. F.... P....

    Great song... From back when I was young. Lyrics are good .

  69. l.... m....

    Still listening in 2021

  70. J.... E....

    Costello is one coolest of the music cats.

  71. z.... r....

    I love me some Tommy Hickman forever...

  72. V.... W....

    Elvis is King!

  73. A.... B....

    On top on my lifes playlist.

  74. D.... N....

    Where's my trench coat and bowler hat

  75. K.... ....

    Elementary - Pilot

  76. P.... D....

    "She's filing her nails while they're dragging the lake..."

    P.... D....

    One of the best images in pop music.

  77. s.... ....

    "She looks so good that he gets down and begs......." Every man, and some women can relate to that line. Best drum intro ever. The lyrics come off the tongue like a delicious verbal smorgasbord. So yummy

  78. M.... S....

    Costello equals to: massive subversive

  79. M.... I....

    Blaine from iZombie season 2 episode 12 brought me here

  80. J.... S....

    I remember watching "History Detectives"! This was SO awesome as the theme!

  81. K.... Y....

    What genre is this song? And where can I find other sounds just like it? I can’t get enough of the intro with the guitar and drum 😩

    K.... Y....

    It's basically rocked up SKA..

    K.... Y....

    @Don Turco I'd agree. Check out British ska.

    K.... Y....

    new wave

  82. G.... M....

    Who wouldn't like this , crazy echo organ bass , stechoto masterpiece
    ala Desmond Decker

  83. W.... C....

    "Invisible shivers run up and down my spine" (followed quickly by piano slide). I find new favorite lyrics every time I listen to this work of brilliance!. "She pulls their face with her eyes like a maga-net".

  84. O.... M....

    Nice girls, not one with a defect
    Cellophane shrink-wrapped, so correct
    Red dogs under illegal x
    She looks so good that he gets down and begs
    She is watching the detectives
    "Ooh, he's so cute"
    She is watching the detectives
    When they shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot
    They beat him up until the teardrops start
    But he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart
    Long shot at that jumping sign
    Invisible shivers running down my spine
    Cut to baby taking off her clothes
    Close-up of the sign that says "We never close"
    He snatches at you and you match his cigarette
    She pulls the eyes out with a face like a magnet
    I don't know how much more of this I can take
    She's filing her nails while they're dragging the lake
    She is watching the detectives
    "Ooh, he's so cute"
    She is watching the detectives
    Oh when they shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot
    They beat him up until the teardrops start
    But he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart
    You think you're alone until you realize you're in it
    Now fear is here to stay, love is here for a visit
    They call it instant justice when it's past the legal limit
    Someone's scratching at the window, I wonder who is it?
    The detectives come to check if you belong to the parents
    Who are ready to hear the worst about their daughter's disappearance
    Though it nearly took a miracle to get you to stay
    It only took my little fingers to blow you away
    Just like watching the detectives
    Don't get cute
    Just like watching the detectives
    I get so angry when the teardrops start
    But he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart
    Watching the detectives
    It's just like watching the detectives
    Watching the detectives
    Watching the detectives
    Watching the detectives
    Watching the detectives
    They're watching the detectives
    Watching the detectives

  85. C.... M....

    #OnThisDay

  86. B.... J....

    Am I in 2019 or what

  87. S.... S....

    Club soda Kenny brought me to this

  88. J.... R....

    breyns old false alarms
    paulines mood or doctor harms
    mass subsidized farms

  89. T.... ....

    Elvis had a way of conveying a perfectly clear image with his lyrics.  I can vividly see that woman filing her nails while they are dragging that lake. I also know a few folks with a face like a magnet.

  90. L.... _....

    Anyone else here from the British series Benidorm! When mick and Micheal are spying on Muhammad and Donald is spying on matayo 😂😂😂just me?

  91. S.... ....

    Was Jerry Dammers on keyboard on this?

  92. l.... ....

    Noir Rock!

  93. I.... L....

    My fabulous taste in music brought me here
    F*ckin' genius.
    F*ckin' genius.

  94. p.... P....

    My fabulous taste in music brought me here
    iZombie thank you for this song :D
    Number 363
    on Rolling Stone Magazine's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list

  95. �.... ....

    My fabulous taste in music brought me here
    iZombie thank you for this song :D

  96. a.... 0....

    Why is this twit famous I don’t like any of his songs

    a.... 0....

    Why are you here?

  97. S.... C....

    Elvis is King~!

  98. B.... W....

    My fabulous taste in music brought me here
    Thanks dad

    B.... W....

    actually my dad did lol

    B.... W....

    Let's agree on all our dads

    B.... W....

    eliot faas haha yes

    B.... W....

    @elliemy parents owned a music store in the 60's and have been in love with music for a long time

    B.... W....

    eliot faas that’s so cool