Respectable Street
by XTC

Album: Black Sea (1980)
Play Video
  • Heard the neighbor slam his car door
    Don't he realize this is respectable street
    What d'you think he bought that car for
    'Cause he realize this is respectable street

    Now they talk about absorption
    In cosmopolitan proportions to their daughters
    As they speak of child prevention
    And immaculate receptions on their portable
    Sony entertainment centers

    Heard the neighbor slam his car door
    Don't he realize this is respectable street
    What d'you think he bought that car for
    Don't he realize this is respectable street

    Now she speaks about diseases
    And which proposition pleases best her old man
    Avon lady fills the creases
    When she manages to squeeze in past the caravans
    That never move from their front gardens

    Heard the neighbor slam his car door
    Don't he realize this is respectable street
    What d'you think he bought that car for
    Don't he realize this is respectable street

    It's in the order of their hedgerows
    It's in the way their curtains open and close
    It's in the look they give you down their nose
    All part of decency's jigsaw I suppose

    Sunday church and they look fetching
    Saturday night saw him stretching over our fence
    Bang the wall for me to turn down
    I can see them with their stern frown
    As they dispense the kind of look that says
    They're perfect

    Heard my neighbor slam his car door
    Don't he realize this is respectable street
    What d'you think he bought that car for
    Don't he realize this is respectable street
    He realize this is respectable street
    He realize this is respectable street
    He realize this is respectable street Writer/s: PARTRIDGE
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 1

  • Lisa Benavides from Monterey, CaIncredible song with appropriately cynical lyrics. Partridge has always been one to make the audience think.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.

Gary Louris of The Jayhawks

Gary Louris of The JayhawksSongwriter Interviews

The Jayhawks' song "Big Star" has special meaning to Gary, who explains how longevity and inspiration have trumped adulation.

David Paich of Toto

David Paich of TotoSongwriter Interviews

Toto's keyboard player explains the true meaning of "Africa" and talks about working on the Thriller album.

Jeff Trott

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.