Elvis Costello & the Attractions
Strict Time
There's a hand on a wire that leads to my mouth
I can hear you knocking but I'm not coming out
Don't want to be a puppet or a ventriloquist
'Cause there's no ventilation on a critical list

Fingers creeping up my spine are not mine to resist
Strict time
Toughen up, toughen up, keep your lip buttoned up
Strict time

Oh the muscles flex and the fingers curl
And a cold sweat breaks out on the sweater girl
(Strict time)
Oh he's all hands, don't touch that dial
The courting cold wars weekend witch trial
(Strict time)

All the boys are straight laced and the girls are frigid
The talk is two-faced and the rules are rigid
'Cause it's strict time (Strict time)
Toughen up, toughen up, keep your lip buttoned up
Strict time

You talk in hushed tones, I talk in lush tones
Try to look Italian through the musical Valium
(Strict time)
Thinking of grand larceny
Smoking the everlasting cigarette of chastity

Cute assistants staying alive
More like a hand job than the hand jive
Strict time
Toughen up, toughen up, keep your lip buttoned up
Strict time