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Listen to Punch the Clock by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
ALBUMPunch the ClockElvis Costello & The Attractions
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PLAYLIST’80s Alternative EssentialsApple Music ’80s
Listen to Elvis Costello Essentials featuring Elvis Costello & The Attractions
PLAYLISTElvis Costello EssentialsApple Music Alternative
Listen to ’80s Singer-Songwriter Essentials featuring Elvis Costello & The Attractions
PLAYLIST’80s Singer-Songwriter EssentialsApple Music ’80s
Listen to Inspired by Paul McCartney featuring Elvis Costello & The Attractions
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Listen to Classic Alternative Deep Cuts featuring Elvis Costello & The Attractions
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Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Performer
David Bedford
David Bedford
Performer
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Vocals
Steve Nieve
Steve Nieve
Piano
Bruce Thomas
Bruce Thomas
Electric Bass Guitar
Pete Thomas
Pete Thomas
Drums
Jim Paterson
Jim Paterson
Trombone
Jeff Blythe
Jeff Blythe
Clarinet
Paul Speare
Paul Speare
Flute
Dave Plews
Dave Plews
Trumpet
Chet Baker
Chet Baker
Trumpet
Morris Pert
Morris Pert
Percussion
Caron Wheeler
Caron Wheeler
Background Vocals
Claudia Fontaine
Claudia Fontaine
Background Vocals
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Clive Langer
Clive Langer
Composer
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Composer
David Bedford
David Bedford
String Arranger
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Clive Langer
Clive Langer
Producer
Gavin Greenaway
Gavin Greenaway
Assistant Producer
Colin Fairley
Colin Fairley
Assistant Producer
Jim Russell
Jim Russell
Assistant Mixing Engineer
Alan Wistanley
Alan Wistanley
Producer

Lyrics

Is it worth it?
A new winter coat and shoes for the wife
And a bicycle on the boy's birthday
It's just a rumor that was spread around town
By the women and children
Soon we'll be shipbuilding
Well I ask you
The boy said, "Dad they're going to take me to task
But I'll be back by Christmas"
It's just a rumor that was spread around town
Somebody said that someone got filled in
For saying that people get killed in
The result of this shipbuilding
With all the will in the world
Diving for dear life
When we could be diving for pearls
It's just a rumor that was spread around town
A telegram or a picture postcard
Within weeks they'll be re-opening the shipyard
And notifying the next of kin
Once again
It's all we're skilled in
We will be shipbuilding
With all the will in the world
Diving for dear life
When we could be diving for pearls
It's all we're skilled in
We will be shipbuilding
With all the will in the world
Diving for dear life
When we could be diving for pearls
When we could be diving for pearls
When we could be diving for pearls
Written by: Clive Langer, Elvis Costello

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