Men Called Uncle
Elvis Costello & The Attractions Lyrics


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Now there`s newsprint all over your face
Well maybe that`s why I can read you like a book
Just when I thought I was getting my taste to bite
I go and lose my appetite

Look at the men that you`d call uncle
They`d like to sink their teeth into you
For the pride and the pleasure
And the privilege of having you

If I say you`re the one do you think that I`m serious
You get that kind of talk from older men
If I say I love you then I must be delirious
So why are you trying to put my temperature up again

Look at the men that you`d call uncle
Having a heart attack round your ankles

When you wake up with X-rated eyes
When you wake up still shaking
How can I apologize
As you check your effects and check your reflection
I`m so affected in the face of your affection

Look at the men that you`d call uncle
Having a heart attack round your ankles

I could swear, I could promise that I`ll always be true to you
But we may not live to be so old
I could even say I`m going to do something new to you
Now the girls I see just leave me cold





Look at the men that you call uncle...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Elvis Costello & The Attractions's song Men Called Uncle are cryptic but carry a bold message about the sexual exploitation of young women by older men. The singer speaks to his lover about how he sees right through the smokescreen despite the newsprint all over her face. He loses his appetite despite his growing interest in her, implying that the reality of her relationship with these "men called uncle" has caused disgust. He talks about these men who will stop at nothing for the degrading pleasure of having her. The singer denies his seriousness about their relationship and the "older men" who offer her that kind of talk; however, he is still affected by her and is apologizing for it.


The singer expresses his concern that the subject is playing with him and that she will eventually break his heart. He points out that she still sees these men called "uncle," and he can only imagine the unsavory things that are going on when she wakes up with X-rated eyes. He begs for her forgiveness, but it is clear from the lyrics that he is helpless and unable to protect her from these manipulative men.


Line by Line Meaning

Now there's newsprint all over your face
You have been living your life in the public eye.


Well maybe that's why I can read you like a book
I understand who you truly are because I know all about your life.


Just when I thought I was getting my taste to bite
Just when I thought I was getting over you.


I go and lose my appetite
I find myself missing you again.


Look at the men that you'd call uncle
There are men who are like family to you who have inappropriate feelings for you.


They'd like to sink their teeth into you
They want to have sex with you.


For the pride and the pleasure
They feel proud and pleased with themselves for lusting after you.


And the privilege of having you
They believe it is an honor to be able to have sex with you.


If I say you're the one do you think that I'm serious
If I say that you are the one for me, do you think I mean it?


You get that kind of talk from older men
Older men make promises of love easily without meaning them.


If I say I love you then I must be delirious
If I say I love you, I must be crazy because love is a dangerous thing.


So why are you trying to put my temperature up again
Why are you trying to get me riled up again after I had cooled off?


Having a heart attack round your ankles
They are so excited by your presence that they could die from a heart attack.


When you wake up with X-rated eyes
When you wake up after a night of passion.


When you wake up still shaking
When you wake up still feeling the intense emotions of the night before.


How can I apologize
How can I make it up to you?


As you check your effects and check your reflection
As you gather your things and look at yourself in the mirror before leaving.


I'm so affected in the face of your affection
I am deeply moved by your love for me.


I could swear, I could promise that I'll always be true to you
I could promise you that I will always be faithful to you.


But we may not live to be so old
We might not have a long life ahead of us.


I could even say I'm going to do something new to you
I could suggest trying something new together sexually.


Now the girls I see just leave me cold
Other women do not excite me like you do.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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