Lyrics
Oh I'm back in the full effect / I can't even hold myself erect
Expressing a return with full force but struggling to maintain composure.
I got nothing that I want to say / I'm gonna say it anyway
Acknowledging a lack of specific things to say but choosing to speak nonetheless.
I know you think that I've lost it, baby
Awareness of others perceiving a decline or change in behavior.
I know you think that my star is fading / Used to be a contender
Recognition of a past status as a contender, now seen as a pretender.
Now you're just a pretender / Psychic karaoke every weekend
Engaging in superficial activities regularly, losing authenticity.
You don't fit those clothes anymore
Physical changes, possibly weight gain, making old clothes unfit.
Why don't you take them back to the charity store
Suggesting a need to return outdated items to charity.
While you're there you could always hand yourself in
Humorous notion of turning oneself in while at the charity store.
You're into green issues - start recycling
Poking fun at environmental concerns, suggesting recycling.
You hide behind your woman when you're out in your town
Using a partner as a shield in public, blaming her for personal limitations.
Show her up and blame her for holding you down
Highlighting a pattern of blaming others for personal shortcomings.
Holding you down, holding you down
Emphasizing personal responsibility for one's situation.
You're the only one who's holding you down
-You're only ever polite when you're out of your box
Only being polite when intoxicated, referencing the singer's name.
Cocker's short for... sucker / Sucker of... / Oh, oh
Playful repetition of "sucker" and nonsensical syllables.
La na na na / Oh, oh / Sucker of... / Oh, oh / La na na na
-Oh, oh / When I got up today I had that feeling again
Describing a sudden, unsettling change in the singer's emotional state.
Everything was OK, then the world started shaking
-Now I'm trying to sleep it away / Oh but I can't sleep it away
-Can you answer this question, can you answer it right:
Questioning the listener's moral and altruistic actions.
Have you ever done anything good in your life?
-Have you ever done anything that wasn't just for yourself?
-Are you capable of giving? / Are you capable of giving just for the sake of it,
-without expecting anything in return?
-I'm only trying to give you what you've come to expect
Mocking the cliché of songs about single mothers and sex.
Just another song 'bout single mothers and sex
-Single mothers and sex, single mothers and sex
-Just another song 'bout single mothers and sex
-OK, you've heard it before, it's nothing special
Defending the repetition as a professional necessity for a living.
But it's a living, can't you see / I'm a professional
-Oh, oh / La na na na / Oh, oh / I'm a professional
Reiteration of the singer's professional status with a touch of irony.
Oh, oh / La na na na / Oh, oh / Sleep on my darling
-Sleep on, don't wake as I leave / I've been rehearsing this scene so long now
Describing a secret life and hidden flaws, anticipating deception.
Don't interrupt me as I do it for real / The bedroom floor is treacherous
-A teacup could be disastrous / ''cause it'll mean I would have to say
-What was written on the letter I posted yesterday
-So that it would get here / When I was gone / And you awoke
-Oh, she'll meet me from the train / And she'll never know a thing
-About how I talk with my mouth full / And only bath once a week
Revealing unflattering personal habits and a declining interest in sex.
How I'm nicer the first time you meet me than the next
-And I'm rapidly losing interest in sex / Yeah, I'm rapidly losing interest in sex
-What's the point in making it over-emotional? / You can do it the hard way
Weighing the emotional approach against professionalism.
Or you can be a professional / Oh, oh / La na na na
Reasserting the singer's professional identity with a hint of humor.
Oh, oh / I'm a professional / Oh, oh / La na na na
-Oh, oh / Sleep on my darling / Sleep on my love / Sleep on my darling
Wishing for undisturbed sleep for the loved one while maintaining secrets.
Sleep on my love / Sleep on my darling / Sleep on my love
-Sleep on my darling / Sleep on my love
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