Elvis Costello — Charm School

[Verse 1] Men made out of monkeys Men made into mice Happy days are here again All the drinks half price A girl with a trick and a man with a calling [Chorus] Trying to make a living out of your downfalling Trying to make a living out of anything at all Didn't they teach you anything except how to be cruel In that charm school [Verse 2] You and I as lovers were nothing but a farce Trying to make a silk purse out of a sow’s arse Saying "Why don't you watch me" Hardly speaking sotto voce [Chorus] Trying to make a living out of your downfalling Trying to make a living out of anything at all Didn't they teach you anything except how to be cruel In that charm school [Bridge] I've got a notion I've got an angle Take your dreams and promises And put them through the mangle They say it's hell to finance too And I just want to romance you [Verse 3] In this perpetual nightclub I'll be yours eternal Though the hours are long And the noise infernal Just one shameful act or sometimes two We make believe we are making do [Chorus] Trying to make a living out of your downfalling Trying to make a living out of anything at all Didn't they teach you anything except how to be cruel In that charm school [Outro] Didn't they teach you anything except how to be cruel In that charm school In that charm school