Artist: XTC Album: Drums And Wires {1979}

We�re only making plans for Nigel
We only want what�s best for him
We�re only making plans for Nigel
Nigel just needs that helping hand

And if young Nigel says he�s happy, he must be happy
He must be happy, he must be happy in his work

We�re only making plans for Nigel
He has this future in a British Steel
We�re only making plans for Nigel
Nigel�s whole future is as good as sealed, yeah

And if young Nigel says he�s happy, he must be happy
He must be happy, he must be happy in his work

Nigel is not outspoken
But he likes to speak and loves to be spoken to
In his work - Nigel is happy in his work
In his work - Nigel is happy in his work
In his work

We�re only making plans for Nigel
We only want what�s best for him
We�re only making plans for Nigel
Nigel just needs this helping hand

And if young Nigel says he�s happy, he must be happy
He must be happy, he must be happy in his work

We�re only making plans for Nigel
We only want what�s best for him
We�re only making plans for Nigel
Nigel just needs this helping hand

We�re only making plans for Nigel
He has this future in a British Steel
Steel, steel, steel, steel, steel, yeah

We�re only making plans for Nigel, Nigel, Nigel
Nigel, Nigel, Nigel, Nigel, Nigel, Nigel
Nigel, Nigel, Nigel, Nigel, Nigel, Nigel

Oh heli, oh heli
I�m crouching here with a telescope in hand
Looking out across our Lego land
I really think it�s about time that she came down
She a laughing, giggly whirlybird
She got to be obscene to be obheard
I really think it�s about time that she came down

And I object to all the air mail that she pick up
The air mail that she pick up
The air mail that she pick up, oh

When she�s up there twirling round
Just like a helicopter, copter
She�s landing on the town
It�s about time that I stopped her, stopped her
When she�s up there twirling round, round, round
Just like a helicopter, copter

Oh heli, oh heli
Now she�s away from convent she�s gone wild
Grown from a nice young lady to a child
I really think it�s about time that she came down
She's a laughing, giggly whirlybird
She got to be obscene to be obheard
I really think it�s about time that she came down

And I object to all the air mail that she pick up
The air mail that she pick up
The air mail that she pick up, oh

When she�s up there twirling round
Just like a helicopter, copter
She�s landing on the town
It�s about time that I stopped her, stopped her
When she�s up there twirling round, round, round
Just like a helicopter, copter
Oh heli, oh heli

Oh heli, oh heli
When she�s up there twirling round
Just like a helicopter, copter
She�s landing on the town
It�s about time that I stopped her, stopped her
When she�s up there twirling round, round, round
Just like a helicopter, copter

Oh heli, oh heli, oh heli
When she�s up there twirling round
Just like a helicopter, copter
She�s landing on the town - lookout town
It�s about time that I stopped her, stopped her
Well, she's up there turning round, round, round, round, round, round
Round, round, round, round, round, round, round, ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra
Oh heli, oh heli

Clock in my head, clock on the wall
And the two of them don�t agree at all
Friday is heaven, Friday is heaven
Day in, day out, day in

Day in - wish you were here on the shop floor
Day out - and together we could count the dots on the wall
Friday is heaven, Friday is heaven
Day in, day out, day in

Friday is heaven, Friday is heaven
Day in - day in, day out - day out
Day in - day in, day out - day out, day in

When you�re near me I have difficulty respirating
When you�re near me I have difficulty concentrating
When you�re near me I have difficulty standing upright
When you�re near me I have difficulty sleeping at night

I used to stand proud like a sphinx
In a noble, immovable state
And then your heart nailed me under a jinx
Now I�m feeling like a jellyfish
Just a spineless, wobbly jellyfish
And it�s great, great - so great

When you�re near me I have difficulty respirating
When you�re near me I have difficulty concentrating
When you�re near me I have difficulty standing upright
When you�re near me I have difficulty sleeping at night

I used to stand high like a pine
Just a piece of emotionless wood
When you put your body near mine
Now I�m feeling like a jellyfish
Just a spineless, wobbly jellyfish
And it�s good, good - so good

I used to be an iceman - iceman
Living in iceman town
So, I�m warning all you cool, cool icemen
Better be prepared to be melted right down - down

When you�re near me I have difficulty respirating
When you�re near me I have difficulty concentrating
When you�re near me I have difficulty standing upright
When you�re near me I have difficulty sleeping at night

When you�re near me I have difficulty, when you�re near me I have difficulty
When you�re near me I have difficulty, when you�re near me I have difficulty
When you�re near me I have difficulty, when you�re near me I have difficulty
When you�re near me I have difficulty, when you�re near me I have difficulty
When you�re near me I have difficulty, when you�re near me I have difficulty
When you�re near me I have difficulty, when you�re near me I have difficulty
When you�re near me I have difficulty, when you�re near me I have difficulty

Happy, I�m floating around on my feet now
You make me go dizzy, I�m weak at the knees, yes
I feel like I�m walking round at ten feet tall
I feel like I�m walking round at ten feet tall

Well, you say I�m faking and I say, "Don�t worry."
The way that I bubble, there�s something in the make, yes
I feel like I�m walking round at ten feet tall
I feel like I�m walking round at ten feet tall

Right, the chemistry is right
This boy has reached his height
This feeling just goes on and on and on and on
From strength to strength I�m ten feet long

Yeah, I feel like I�m walking round at ten feet tall
I feel like I�m walking round at ten feet tall
And I feel like I�m walking round at ten feet tall
I feel like I�m walking round at ten feet tall

Right, the chemistry is right
This boy has reached his height
This feeling just goes on and on and on and on
From strength to strength I�m ten feet long

Happy, I�m floating around on my feet now
You make me go dizzy, I�m weak at the knees, yes
I feel like I�m walking round at ten feet tall
I feel like I�m walking round at ten feet tall
I feel like I�m walking round at ten feet tall
I feel like I�m walking round at ten feet tall
I feel like I�m walking round at ten feet tall
I feel like I�m walking round at ten feet tall
I feel like I�m walking round at ten feet tall
I feel like I�m walking round at ten feet tall
I feel like I�m walking round at ten feet tall
I feel like I�m walking round at ten feet tall
I feel like I�m walking round at ten feet tall
I feel like I�m walking round at ten feet tall

Am I asleep or am I fast
Your every race - you first, you last
Roads girdle the globe
We safe in your concrete robe
Hail mother motor, hail piston rotor, hail wheel
Roads girdle the globe

Am I tied in or do I turn
Your holy incense, your tire burn
Roads girdle the globe
We safe in your concrete robe
Hail mother motor, hail piston rotor, hail wheel
Roads girdle the globe

Steer me Anna, steer me Anna
Steer me Anna, steer me Anna
Steer me Anna, steer me Anna
Steer me Anna, steer me Anna
Steer me Anna, steer me Anna
Steer me Anna, steer me Anna
Steer me Anna, steer me Anna
Steer me Anna, steer me Anna

Am I get there, when is a, b
You're iron, oil and steel - you sacred three
Roads girdle the globe
We safe in your concrete robe
Roads girdle the globe
We safe in your concrete robe
Roads girdle the globe
We safe in your concrete robe
Roads girdle the globe
We safe in your concrete robe
Hail mother motor, hail piston rotor, hail wheel
Hail mother motor, hail piston rotor, hail wheel
Hail mother motor, hail piston rotor, hail wheel

I have learnt there�s a magical spot at The Hop
Come with me to the church on the corner, The Hop
There�s nuts and there's crisps and ca-ca-cola on tap
A good time had by those boys and those girls at The Hop

Tell me what do you say - tell me what do you say
Tell me what do you say, I tell you
Life begins at The Hop, boys and girls

Prepare yourself for the boys in the band at The Hop
The cheap guitars, they're too young for the bars at The Hop
We�ll jive around, make fools of ourselves to the sound
But back next week with another ridiculous tie knot

Tell me what do you say - tell me what do you say
Tell me what do you say, I tell you
Life begins at The Hop, boys and girls

Tell me what do you say - tell me what do you say
Tell me what do you say - tell me what do you say, I tell you
Life begins at The Hop, boys and girls

I have learnt there�s a magical spot at The Hop
Come with me to my church on the corner, The Hop
There�s nuts and there's crisps and ca-ca-cola on tap
A good time had by those boys and those girls at The Hop

Tell me what do you say - tell me what do you say
Tell me what do you say, I tell you
Life begins at The Hop - la, la, la, la, la, la
Life begins at The Hop - la, la, la, la, la, la
Life begins at The Hop - la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Boys and girls

How bright are the fires of thought in a chain of command
How bright is the medical torch when it�s put in our hand
My microbes and I
We can�t wait to lay down and die
We realize that we must be spent
Like the cells that dissolve when a brainwave is sent
How bright are the fires of thought in a chain of command

How bright are the fires of thought in a chain of command
How bright is the medical torch when it�s put in our hand
My bloodgroup and me
A body of soldiers are we
To the wound we quickly flowed
And we fought 'em with the weapons in our chemical code
How bright are the fires of thought in a chain of command

My microbes and I
We can�t wait to lay down and die
We realize that we must be spent
Like the cells that dissolve when a brainwave is sent
How bright are the fires of thought in a chain of command

Chain of command, chain of command
Chain of command, chain of command
Chain of command, chain of command
Chain of command, chain of command
Chain of command, chain of command
Chain of command, chain of command

I�m in the limelight, no time for sun ray
We are the happening, this day is our day
I�m in the limelight, uh huh
Big on my block now, uh huh
I�m in the limelight, uh huh
I�m in the limelight, I�m in the limelight

I�m in love with myself
Please don�t break the spell, give to someone else

I am a success at least a short while
I make decisions, influence people
I�m in the limelight, uh huh
Big on my block now, uh huh
I�m in the limelight, uh huh
I�m in the limelight, I�m in the limelight

I�m in love with myself
Please don�t break the spell, give it to someone else
I�m in the limelight, uh huh
Big on my block now, uh huh
I�m in the limelight, uh huh
I�m in the limelight, I�m in the limelight

In this secret time, invading on our privacy
Unknowing we mime, we play for the ministry
They can film you in bed or when you take a bath
They can tape every cry, they can tape every laugh
They can turn you around so you won�t know what�s

Reel by reel
Busy little bees recording everything you feel
On reel by reel
You're documented down like rats
They�re catching up on every squeal
On reel by reel by reel by, oh
Reel by reel by reel by, oh

In this hidden time ignorance may help you to cope
Rehearsing for crime and sex just in government cinemascope
The can film you at work or when they let you play
They can tape what you think and they can tape what you say
They can blur your I.D., so you won�t know what�s

Reel by reel
They're busy little bees recording everything you feel
On reel by reel
You're documented down like rats
They�re catching up on every squeal
On reel by reel by reel by, oh
Reel by reel by reel by

Now I lay me down to sleep
Knowing that your lenses peep
And now I eat my daily bread
And into the tape spool I�ll be fed

They can film you in bed or when you take a bath
They can tape every cry, they can tape every laugh
They can turn you around so you won�t know what�s

Reel by reel
They're busy little bees recording everything you feel
On reel by reel
You're documented down like rats
They�re catching up on every squeal
On reel by reel by reel by, oh
Reel by reel by reel by, oh
Reel by reel by reel by, oh
Reel by reel by reel by

We smelled your soup on the fire cooking
We saw your toys and your pencils looking bright, so bright
And yet they come from, oh, so far away

We heard your flags and your banners flapping
We felt the air from from your hands all clapping time, in time
I�m sure your time is not so far away

Millions - all moving forward
Millions - all babbling crossword
Millions - all flow as water
Millions - all bright with laughter
He make you glowing
He bake you golden like the Yangtse mud

I saw your writing on paper landing
Your stamps showed bridges and temples standing still, so still
And yet they�re standing, oh, so far away

I saw you asking for Western thinking
I say it�s poison that you�ll be drinking - stay as east
As far away as dreams will let you be

Millions - all moving forward
Millions - all babbling crossword
Millions - all flow as water
Millions - all bright with laughter
He make you glowing
He bake you golden like the Yangtse mud

Millions - all moving forward
Millions - all babbling crossword
Millions - all flow as water
Millions - all bright with laughter
He make you glowing
He bake you golden like the Yangtse mud

Do this, do that, do this, do that
Go and speak to your niece - do this, do that
Kiss your aunt on the cheek - do this, do that
Don�t talk back, now, run along - do this, do that
It�s gone eight, say goodnight - do this, do that

That is the way that it�s done
That is the way that it�s done
That is the way that it�s done
Boy and girl, girl and boy
This is how you do it and who am I to reason why

Do this, do that, do this, do that
Wear a shirt, wear a tie - do this, do that
You look smart in a suit - do this, do that
Use your fork on the left - do this, do that
Straighten up, shoulders back - do this, do that

That is the way that it�s done
That is the way that it�s done
That is the way that it�s done
Boy and girl, girl and boy
This is how you do it and who am I to reason why

She has six swans singing in her sauna
So, she can�t hear what�s going on
She can�t hear what�s going on
In the outside world
In the outside world, in the outside
Bad black and white men
Standing in their pigpen
Selling guns to simpletons
To shoot �em in the abdomen
She�s not interested in that
But she�s not interested in that
She has six swans singing in her sauna
Ooh, outside world, outside

She has eleven lions laughing at her lakeside
So, she can�t hear what�s going on
She can�t hear what�s going on
In the outside world
In the outside world, in the outside
Bad brown and yellow men
Splitting on their fellow men
Drape her in a newspaper
And stab her with a poison pen
She�s not interested in that
No, she�s not interested in that
She has eleven lions laughing at her lakeside
Ooh, outside world, outside

You can keep your animals
All the noise and the din
Just make a little space for me
I�m coming in, yeah, yeah, yeah

She has six swans singing in her sauna
So, she can�t hear what�s going on
She can�t hear what�s going on
She can�t hear what�s going on
She just won't hear what's going on, what's going on
Outside world, the outside world, the outside world

Snipping, snipping, snipping goes the scissor man
Putting end to evil-doers games
Snipping, snipping, snipping goes the scissor man
Maybe you are in his book of names
Maybe you are in his book of names

So be kind and helpful to your mother
Just think twice before you try to steal
When he cuts with sticky silver snippers
You may find the wounds will never heal

All self made bad boys
If you refuse to believe he exist
You won�t be frightened when you find out
You�re on his list
You�re on his list
You�re on his list

Snipping, snipping, snipping goes the scissor man
Putting end to evil-doers games
Snipping, snipping, snipping goes the scissor man
Maybe you are in his book of names
Maybe you are in his book of names

So be good and never poison people
Just think twice before the deed is done
When you wake up guilty in the morning
You may find important pieces gone

All self made bad boys
If you refuse to believe he exist
You won�t be frightened when you find out
You�re on his list
You�re on his list
You�re on his list

Snipping, snipping, snipping goes the scissor man
Putting end to evil-doers games
Snipping, snipping, snipping goes the scissor man
Maybe you are in his book of names
Maybe you are in his book of names

All self made bad boys
If you refuse to believe he exist
You won�t be frightened when you find out
You�re on his list
You�re on his list
You�re on his list

Snipping, snipping, snipping goes the scissor man
Putting end to evil-doers games
Snipping, snipping, snipping goes the scissor man
Maybe you are in his book of names
Maybe you are in his book of names

Snipping, snipping, oh, snipping, snipping, snip, oh
Snip, snip, snip, snip
Snip it, snip it, snip it
Cutting, cutting, cutting, cutting
Scissor man, scissor man

I ask myself should I put my finger to the left - no
I ask myself should I put my finger to the right - no
Doesn�t really matter where I put my finger
Someone else will come along and move it
And it�s always been the same
It�s just a complicated game
It�s just a complicated game

A little girl asked me should she part her hair upon the left - no
A little girl asked me should she part her hair upon the right - no
I said it really doesn�t matter where you part your hair
Cos someone else will come along and move it
And it�s always been the same
It�s just a complicated game
It�s just a complicated game

Little boy asked me should he put his vote upon the left
A little boy asked me should he put his vote upon the right
I said it really doesn�t matter where you put your vote
Cos someone else will come along and move it
And it�s always been the same
It�s just a complicated game
It�s just a complicated game

They wanted Tom, they wanted Joe
To dress �em up and stick �em out on show
They were arrows in a very bad aim
It�s just a complicated game

God asked me should he ought to put his world upon the left - no
God asked me should he ought to put his world upon the right, right, right, right, right, right, right
I said it doesn�t really matter where you put your world
Someone else will come along and move it
And it�s always been the same
It�s just a complicated game, game
It�s just a complicated game