Mother, Father, I'm here in the zoo
I can't come home 'cause I've grown up too soon
I got my sentence
I got my command
They said they'd make me major if I met all their demands

I could be a corporal into corporal punishment
Or the general manager of a large establishment
They pat some good boys on the back and put some to the rod
But I never thought they'd put me in the

Goon squad
They've come to look you over and they're giving you the eye, eye, eye, eye
Goon squad
They want you to come out to play
You'd better say goodbye, eye, eye, eye

Some grow just like their dads
And some grow up too tall
Some go drinking with the lads
Some are no fun at all

And you must find the proper place
For everything you see
But you'll never get to make a lampshade out of me

I could join a chain of males or be the missing link
Looking for a lucky girl to put me in the pink
They pat some good boys on the back and put some to the rod
But I never thought they'd put me in the

Good squad
They've come to look you over and they're giving you the eye, eye, eye, eye
Goon squad
They want you to come out to play
You'd better say goodbye, eye, eye, eye

Mother, Father, I'm doing so well
I'm making such progress now that you can hardly tell
I fit in a little dedication
With one eye on the clock
They caught you under medication
You could be in for a shock

Thinking up the alibis that everyone's forgotten
Just another mummy's boy gone to rotten
They pat some good boys on the back and put some to the rod
But I never thought they'd put me in the

Goon squad
They've come to look you over and they're giving you the eye, eye, eye, eye
Goon squad
They want you to come out to play
You'd better say goodbye, eye, eye, eye


Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings

Goon Squad Lyrics as written by Elvis Costello

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

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Goon Squad song meanings
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    General Comment

    {I could join a chain of males or be the missing link Looking for a lucky girl to put me in the pink}

    Great lyrical wordplay combined with serious rock !

    I love this song.

    I heard the lines as: "pat some good boys on the back and add some to the wad" (as in $$$$)

    NomadMonadon May 15, 2019   Link

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