Picture-phone - Rupert Hine

It’s a reckless world

That lets itself be guided by its tools

But what our eyes can see we believe

The truth is not for fools

Is there nothing between us but plastic and wire

Will some modern invention prove you a liar

All the time you were saying this is it

It was that

And you didn’t get that scratch from the cat

I’ll be stripped to the skin

You’ll be stripped to the bone

And we’ll all say no to the picture-phone

It was so easy to cheat on a blind line

With an alibi and your image intact

Whatever the number —

Whatever the crime —

Not only the famous will have to resign

And you have come to depend

On your right to pretend you’re alone

Would the star of the screen

Ever wish to be seen

Red-eyed and dying through the morning call

And the president’s friends

Would they live for long

If they saw down the wire what really goes on

When you’re home to relax

Come the facial attacks

And the breathers in masks — oh no!

Is she the girl of your dreams

With her curlers and creams

Another fantasy’s blown

And we’ll all say no on the picture-phone

Additional Lead Vocal: ROBERT PALMER