Song 4 of Trust by Elvis Costello: Pretty Words.

We’re trying to see if we can start to finally understand what’s the story in the album Trust. The first song Clubland sets an organized crime tone. The second song Lover’s Walk is about the danger inherent in relationships particularly if one is a targeted individual. As a targeted individual myself it’s hard for me not to hear the cries of a fellow target. Bless you Friend. We’ll get through this.

The third song - also painful - is about someone who will never be a man and half a woman. A lot of chemicals are involved.
Now we are examining the song Pretty Words. I’ll just highlight some words that jump out below. Patterns.

I ask you nicely
Get my face slapped under wraps
What's going on precisely
Is there something wrong perhaps?

Surprise, surprise (surprise, surprise)
It's more like a booby trap than a booby prize

Civil disobedience from a soldier with a dirty rifle
You're loosening all the screws that hold the hinges of my life
Fat cats and army brats (fat cats and army brats)
Hep cats and dog tags pawing over girly mags

[Chorus]
Pretty words don't mean much anymore
I don't mean to be mean much anymore
All I see are snapshots, big shots, tender spots
Mug shots, machine slots

You don't know what's what
You don't know what you got

[Verse 2]
Curious women running after curious men
Curiosity didn't kill the cat, it was a poisoned pen

But there's not much choice (it's Hobson's choice)
Between a cruel mouth and a jealous voice

Got back to London, picked a paper from the mat
No words of consolation, just cartoons and chitter chatter
Well well, fancy that (well well fancy that)
Millions murdered for a kiss me quick hat
No backbone, blood and guts
Better keep your big mouth shut

[Chorus]
Pretty words don't mean much anymore
I don't mean to be mean much anymore
All I see are snapshots, big shots, tender spots
Machine slots, mug shots
You don't know what's what
You don't know what you got

[Outro]
You don't know what you got
You don't know what you got