Three Things at Once

Lyrics

[Intro] Yeah, you know what I mean Which is not what I said [Verse 1] I said, “That’s interesting,” you heard I was sold I said, “Not bad,” now you’re breaking the mould “Bit of a stretch” means, “Mate, that won’t fly” And “I’ll see what I can do” means, “Goodbye” We’ve got twenty ways to soften one no A thousand little taps on the shoulder, go slow You ask me if I like it, I say, “It’s a choice” That’s British for “please don’t make me use my voice” [Pre-Chorus] I say the opposite, you write it down straight The joke wears a tie and arrives five minutes late If I call you a legend, you might be a fool That’s not being cruel, that’s the language school [Chorus] So many words for saying the same thing “Lovely,” “brilliant,” “fine”—hear the difference it brings I say, “You’re all right,” but I’m asking you to stay I say, “No worries,” while the worries lead the way You hear “English,” I mean three things at once One with my mouth and two hidden in the front If you don’t get me, don’t take it as a slight I’m saying the wrong thing to say what I mean right [Verse 2] “Fancy a tea?” is a peace treaty signed “Come round whenever” has a calendar mind “Bit chilly” means the heating’s gone And “cheers” can mean thanks, goodbye, or carry on You learned from a book, I learned from the pub Where “you’re having a laugh” is a question of love “Can’t complain” is a complaint in disguise And “with respect” puts a door in your eyes [Pre-Chorus] You ask for directions, I give you a tour “Just round the corner” could be twenty yards more The vowels go wandering, the meanings play games We spell it one way, then abbreviate names [Chorus] So many words for saying the same thing “Lovely,” “brilliant,” “fine”—hear the difference it brings I say, “You’re all right,” but I’m asking you to stay I say, “No worries,” while the worries lead the way You hear “English,” I mean three things at once One with my mouth and two hidden in the front If you don’t get me, don’t take it as a slight I’m saying the wrong thing to say what I mean right [Bridge] If I say, “Interesting,” check the temperature If I say, “Maybe,” don’t build the furniture If I say, “Absolutely,” watch me hesitate If I say, “Whatever,” I’ve already closed the gate But when I say your name, I don’t need a code No clever little phrase, no linguistic road I mean what I mean, and I mean it tonight Come a little closer—yeah, that’s the one line right [Final Chorus] So many words for saying the same thing “Lovely,” “brilliant,” “fine”—hear the difference it brings I say, “You’re all right,” and I’m asking you to stay I say, “No worries,” and the worries fade away You hear “English,” I mean three things at once One with my mouth and two hidden in the front If you don’t get me, come stand in my light I’m saying the wrong thing to say what I mean right [Outro] Yeah, “not bad” means better than it sounds “Cheers” means I’m glad you came around And if I say, “You know?”—you know what I mean Or maybe you don’t That’s the beauty of the scene