111 :: Après All This Fancy Footwork :: A Slow Drag with "White Knuckles"

Today’s slow drag is with “White Knuckles” from “Trust,” released in 1981. The songwriting is credited to Elvis Costello.

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Show Notes:

Appreciation written, produced, and narrated by Remedy Robinson, MA/MFA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slow_drag_remedy/

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Email: [email protected]  

Podcast music by https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

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References:

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, “White Knuckles” https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=White_Knuckles

“White Knuckles” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbZ6TkpflKc

Elvis Costello Wiki Resource, “Wave a White Flag”  https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php?title=Wave_A_White_Flag

“Wave a White Flag” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJwALX5riiU

“I need him like the axe needs the turkey” saying from “The Lady Eve.” https://melanienovak.com/2020/09/02/the-lady-eve-i-need-him-like-the-axe-needs-the-turkey/

Purchase “The Most Terrible Time in My Life…Ends Thursday”

Listen to the audiobook for free at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq7n1pN8D1Y

 

"White Knuckles" Lyrics:

White knuckles came down to put the frighteners on

I believe she's the one that he's got his heart set on

It doesn't matter if your face doesn't fit

There's no charge for changing it

 

Oooh ooh

What are you doing

You see right through him

You don't have to take it when he gets cruel

 

White knuckles on black and blue skin

You don't have to take it so you just give in

White knuckles sweatin' on the headboard

Never found out what the kisser was for

 

Losing face with the boys while she's whispering in his ear

They never found out why they called it laughing gear

Maybe they weren't loved when they were young

Maybe they should be hung by their tongues

 

Oooh ooh

Under the blankets with the body jerk

He needs her like the axe needs the turkey

Thinking of après of this fancy footwork

 

White knuckles on black and blue skin

Didn't mean to hit her but she kept laughing

White knuckles sweatin' on the headboard

Never found out what the kisser was for

 

There's always someone new to toy with when the penny drops in the slot

Now it's a petty crime on the news at nine

But it's all she's got

Love on the never never dreams don't come cheap

I don't close my eyes when I go to sleep

 

Oooh ooh

It gets right under your skin

It makes you as miserable as sin

You don't have to take it so you just give in

 

White knuckles on black and blue skin

Didn't mean to hit her but she kept laughing

White knuckles sweatin' on the headboard

Never found out what the kisser was for

 

White knuckles on black and blue skin

You don't have to take it so you just give in

White knuckles sweatin' on the headboard

Never found out what the kisser was for

 

Why you don't come round anymore

Mother said

He's using you

Sister said

I told you so too

When he goes to your head

You took it to be true