Approval and affection, well they force you to perform When you look at your reflection, does it make you feel warm? Or does something hold you back, until someone holds you tight Someone for a life-time, or maybe just a night And I’ve tried and failed many times, I’ve rarely won But I am a chatty bugger, yes I am my mother’s son So I’ll try and find my finest shirt and show ‘em what I can I’ve got various ambitions as an independent man Does it make you start to question, is it better left unsaid? With the power of suggestion there’s a stranger in your bed Does it meet your expectation, does it ever guarantee? Will the lonely hearts of England stand and raise a glass with me With the girls all wearing dresses, and the fellas wearing shoes Everything excessive, and everything to lose When the bells ring out for two o’clock, it’s the measure of your night You’ll either end-up frisky or you’ll end-up in a fight Are you standing with your sweetheart, are you looking for a match? Do you tell yourself in silence that you really are a catch? When you step outside for a cigarette and you try to make her laugh And then treat her to the doubles with the last of the overdraft Just get another round in, we’re wasting precious time No celibates, we’re celebrating living in our prime Do you often sit and wonder, what happiness might be? Will the lonely hearts of England stand and raise a glass with me Old Father Time with his stacks of coins is propping-up the bar He’s seen all kinds of faces, but he’s never been that far He’s fragile and he’s bony, with skin as thin as silk But he’d drink a pint of whiskey like you’d drink a pint of milk When your song came on the jukebox, and you had to stand and jive And it’s nine o’clock on a Friday night when you really come alive Just lose your inhibitions, and forget about the truth ‘cause the one thing that you can’t get back is the freedom of your youth And by twelve o’clock tomorrow, I doubt that we’ll recall When the truth comes out and you start to shout and there’s nothing past these walls And they’re snoozing by the telly if they choose to disagree Will the lonely hearts of England stand and raise a glass with me Have you spotted someone sexy, are you trying to catch their eye? It’s a bloody expensive taxi if you stand around all shy With a little introduction and a little bit of charm You’ve a belly filled with butterflies and someone on your arm I’ve told you many times before and I’ll tell you many more You’re my greatest friend in the bloody world, and that is something sure And I know I’ve never met you, but you’re such a bloody star So let’s gather our possessions and we’ll find another bar If it’s sunny or it’s snowing, it’s a ritual for life If you’re looking for a girlfriend or you’re hiding from your wife If you’re drinking on your pension, if you’re young and fancy free Will the lonely hearts of England stand and raise a glass with me Will the lonely hearts of England stand and raise a glass with me Will the lonely hearts of England stand and raise a glass with me