Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint - International Echo lyrics

The streets were deserted and the house was dark Down in the basement there was the faintest spark Three boys hoping to make their mark International echo They said it was nothing but a worthless toy Sign right here and you can be employed Woke up startled in the state of joy International echo The roof is shaking and the house is ablaze I've been wide-awake for days I thought I heard a signal breaking through And at this distance that is hard to do Could be seven inches Could be twelve Drop the needle on it and let it revolve I felt a pulse and a drum tattoo I was just thinking about you Send out a message and it's sure to rebound What's that I hear? What is that sound? Seems to be coming from under the ground International echo It can't be repeated It can't be resisted It went out straight and it came back twisted If you didn't see it then, then you probably missed it International echo Must be something in the atmosphere Let me be your volunteer I thought I heard a signal coming through In a language that I never knew Give me seven inches Give me twelve Drop the needle on it and let it revolve I felt a pulse and a drum tattoo Even though it was taboo Solo! They paid me money for playing pretend And they said this must be the end I was just following the popular trend International echo Beer from the bottle and wine from the grape Stood up straight, got bent out of shape Now I'm just looking for some way to escape International echo Everything I said just seems automatic Radio plays nothing but static I think that I'm about to flip my lid My waitress said that she might be my kid Give me seven inches Give me twelve Drop the needle on it and let it revolve Did you hear me calling you? 'Cos hear I go International echo Echo Solo! The streets were deserted The house was dark Down in the basement there was the faintest spark Three boys hoping to make their mark International echo