[Verse 1]
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
Because there's no ventilation on a critical list
Fingers creeping up my spine are not mine to resist
Strict time

[Chorus]
Toughen up, toughen up
Keep your lip buttoned up
Strict time

[Verse 2]
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 because it's strict time
(Strict time)

[Chorus]
Toughen up, toughen up
Keep your lip buttoned up
Strict time
[Verse 3]
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

[Chorus]
Toughen up, toughen up
Keep your lip buttoned up
Strict time

Toughen up, toughen up
Keep your lip buttoned up
Strict time

[Outro]
Strict time
Strict time
Strict time