"Sittin' And Thinkin'" by Elvis Costello and The Attractions is a song about the destructive nature of alcohol and its impact on a relationship. The lyrics depict the narrator's struggle with drinking and the negative consequences it brings to his life. The song begins with the narrator confessing that he got drunk on a bottle of gin and got into a fight with his girlfriend. He acknowledges that when he drinks, he becomes someone different and not a good friend to anyone. He asks his girlfriend to wait for him until he is released from whatever trouble he has gotten himself into, indicating that this has happened before. The second verse reveals the remorse the narrator feels for spending so much time drinking and neglecting their relationship. If he didn't spend so much time consumed by alcohol, he believes their love could have been saved. The song ends with the narrator admitting that he can't promise the same behavior won't happen again in the future. However, he insists that it will be a long time before it does. He acknowledges that when he drinks, he becomes nobody's friend and pleads with his girlfriend to have patience until he can change his ways. Overall, "Sittin' And Thinkin'" portrays the destructive effects of alcohol on relationships and the regret that follows. The song highlights the cycle of drinking, regret, and promises to do better, suggesting that the narrator is trapped in a pattern he cannot easily break.
