Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Elvis Costello
Canonical path: /elvis-costello/pay-it-back
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
Pay It Back
Read Pay It Back lyrics by Elvis Costello on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
Pay It Back
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
Stop thief; you're gonna come to grief
If you don't take a little more care.
You're gonna get more than the family plan
From this one shoestring affair.
I may be crazy but i can't contemplate
Being trapped between the doctor and the magistrate.
One of these days i'm gonna pay it back, pay it back,
One of these days.
One of these days i'm gonna pay it back, pay it back,
One of these days.
And then they told me i could be somebody
If i didn't let too much get in my way.
And i tried so hard just to be myself,
But i keep on fading away.
Until the lights went out, i didn't know what to do.
If i could fool myself, then maybe i'd fool you too.
Refrão
I wouldn't say that i was raised on romance.
Let's not get stuck in the past.
I love you more than everything in the world.
I don't expect that will last.
They told me everything was guaranteed.
Somebody somewhere must've lied to me.
Refrão
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "Pay It Back"?
Elvis Costello performs "Pay It Back", and this lyric page sits inside the Elvis Costello catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "Pay It Back"?
Yes. The related section below points to All This Useless Beauty and Beautiful with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Elvis Costello?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Elvis Costello's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on Pay It Back yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.