It's a Mugs Game
Soft Cell Lyrics

Oh god its another night
Starting the song by setting the scene for another night of drinking and partying.

And your head is feeling
Describing the physical discomfort associated with drinking too much.

Like a lump of lead
Using a simile to emphasize the extent of the hangover.

You should never have drunk
Regretting the decision to drink too much.

Those party-fours
Referring to cans of beer being consumed at a party.

You should of been home being good instead
Arguing that staying at home may have been a better decision than partying and drinking excessively.

Oh god it's another day
Describing another day of physical discomfort, possibly from a hangover or illness.

And your stomach's feeling
Referring to the feeling of nausea or sickness in the stomach.

Like a blown-up balloon
Emphasizing the extent of the discomfort or bloated feeling in the stomach.

You should never have eaten that greasy food
Regretting the decision to eat unhealthy or greasy food that may have contributed to the discomfort.

The doctor told you that chile was bad for your blood
Referring to the advice given by a medical professional regarding dietary restrictions or unhealthy habits.

And you're standing at the chemist in Boots
Describing the scene of someone seeking medical aid or buying medication for the discomfort they are experiencing.

Coughing up your guts like you're at deaths door
Emphasizing the extent of the discomfort by using hyperbole to suggest it feels as if one is dying.

All this for a packet of Do-Do's
Referring to a common medication one would buy for stomach discomfort or nausea.

And the assistant gives you a wink and you turn bright red
Describing an awkward encounter with the pharmacist or clerk at the store.

It's at time like this that you wish you were dead
Using hyperbole to express how painful or miserable the experience is.

And you take the whole packet and you feel like you've drunk
Referring to the feeling of being heavily medicated or intoxicated after taking the medication.

A bottle of bleach
Using hyperbole to describe the intensity of the medication's effect on one's body.

And you tell yourself 'Never, never again
Promising yourself to avoid doing things that caused the discomfort or negative experience.

Well, not until next week anyway'
Joking that the promise will not be kept for very long and that the behavior will be repeated soon.

And you were never one for holding drink
Acknowledging that the person is not good at handling alcohol or dealing with the aftermath of excessive drinking.

And you stagger off to the toilet
Describing the physical effect of excessive drinking or discomfort from sickness.

And you throw up like it was Christmas
Using hyperbole to describe the intensity of vomiting.

And you miss the bowl and you hit your shoes
Emphasizing the physicality and awkwardness of vomiting during an uncomfortable situation.

And there's no paper towels
Describing the unpleasant situation of not having access to supplies for cleaning up.

Now what else can go wrong for you
Reflecting on the string of unfortunate events that have occurred and anticipating more to come.

It's a choice between a cab fare home
Describing the decision between spending money on transportation or on other things.

And a packet of cigarettes
Referring to the common habit of smoking and spending money on cigarettes.

So you choose and the money sticks
Describing the frustrating experience of money not working in a vending machine or other device.

In the machine and the manager says 'Tough shit drink up and leave'
Describing the unsympathetic or dismissive response by a manager or other authority figure when someone is experiencing discomfort or distress.

Oh god it's another disease
Describing another illness or medical problem.

And you just got rid of the last
Implying that the previous illness has just been resolved or recovered from.

You were beginning to feel OK
Describing the fleeting feeling of being alright or healthy until another illness arises.

And the friends you gave it to
Referring to the people who may have caught the illness from the person experiencing it.

Were speaking to you again.
Describing the relief of having reconciled with friends after passing on an illness to them.

And you find yourself having sex
Referring to the experience of engaging in sexual activity with someone.

In the back of a car
Describing the location where the sexual activity is occurring.

And the girl underneath
Referring to the person the singer is having sex with.

Doesn't care who you are
Implying that the person the singer is having sex with is not concerned with their identity or other factors.

And you're nearly there
Describing approaching climax or orgasm during the sexual activity.

And she still doesn't care
Emphasizing that the other person involved in the sexual activity is apathetic or uninterested.

And her chewing gum is getting stuck in your hair
Using humor to describe an unfortunate situation where the singer's hair is getting tangled with gum while having sex.

And there's something wrong
Emphasizing that something is off about the situation.

Something that you forgot
Implying that the singer had overlooked or missed something important.

Oh Shit, you've forgotten the rubber
Realizing that the singer had forgotten to use a condom during the sexual activity.

And you don't want a kid
Expressing the desire to avoid having a child and the responsibility that comes with it.

Well, deny it was you
Joking that the singer will deny responsibility of the child if the other person becomes pregnant.

If your dad finds out
Acknowledging the potential consequences of having a child and the disapproval of family members.

Then he'll make you stay in
Referring to the punishment expected for having to take care of a child.

And do your homework
Using humor to imply that the punishment will be similar to that of a child who has to do homework as part of their daily routine.

And cut your hair
Describing an arbitrary punishment that the father could impose on the singer.

And wear your school uniform
Describing a restrictive or juvenile requirement that the father may impose on the singer.

Out in the street
Emphasizing that the humiliation would be public and not just within the confines of the home.

Oh what a fate worse than death
Using hyperbole to describe how unpleasant and miserable the punishment would be.

Oh well he can't hit you
Acknowledging a silver lining of the punishment, which is the fact that physical abuse is not involved.

You can hit him back
Using humorous reversal to imply that the singer has power over the father and can fight back against his punishments.

And play your records so loud
Describing an act of rebellion and defiance that the singer would engage in if punished by the father.

All the ones that he especially hates
Choosing music that the father does not like to amplify the rebellious act.

Deep Purple in Rock, Led Zeppelin II
Referring to specific albums that may have been popular at the time the song was written, and may also be associated with rebellious or anti-authoritarian sentiment.

Well even you hate those
Acknowledging the irony that the singer may not even like the music they are playing, but they are playing it to spite the father.

Well on second thoughts
Indicating that the singer is reconsidering the decision to stay home and be punished by the father.

I think I'll leave home
Expressing the desire to leave behind the situation and move out of the house.

And go and live in America
Describing the alternate and desirable location the singer would rather be in.

Because they earn more money there
Explaining that the move is also motivated by financial potential and opportunities for success.

And they can get away with murder
Using hyperbole to suggest a seemingly lawless or immoral culture in America, where people can do whatever they want without punishment.

Yeah!
Ending the song on a note of enthusiasm and energy, suggesting the singer has gained confidence and motivation through their experiences and is ready to embrace life and opportunities ahead.