|
Spoken: This is a real quiet song, so could I have everybody just ah... |
|
Whispers: really be quiet. |
|
Spoken: Everybody at home turn off your TVs. Stop work. |
|
I was never one for singing, |
|
What I really feel. |
|
Except tonight I'm bringing, |
|
Everything I know that's real. |
|
Stars, they come and go. |
|
They come fast, they come slow. |
|
They go like the last light of the sun, |
|
All in a blaze. |
|
And all you see is glory. |
|
Hey, but it gets loney there, |
|
When there's no one here to share. |
|
We can shake it away, |
|
If you'll hear a story. |
|
People lust for fame, |
|
Like athletes in a game. |
|
We all break our collarbones, |
|
And come up swinging. |
|
Some of us are crowned, |
|
And some of us are downed, |
|
And some of are lost and never found. |
|
But most have seen it all. |
|
They live their lives, |
|
In sad cafes and music halls. |
|
They always come up singing. |
|
Some make it when they're young, |
|
Before the world has done it's dirty job. |
|
And later on, someone will say, |
|
"You've had your day, you must make way." |
|
But they'll never know the pain |
|
Of living with a name you never owned. |
|
Or the many years forgetting, |
|
What you know too well, |
|
That the ones who gave the crown, |
|
Have been let down. |
|
You try to make amends without defending. |
|
Perhaps pretending you never saw the eyes |
|
Of grown men of twenty-five, |
|
Who all followed as you walked, |
|
And asked for autographs, |
|
Or kissed you on the cheek. |
|
And you never could believe, |
|
They really loved you. |
|
Some make it when they're old |
|
Perhaps they have a soul |
|
They're not afraid to bare. |
|
Or perhaps there's nothing there. |
|
Stars, they come and go. |
|
They come fast, they come slow. |
|
They go like the last light of the sun, |
|
All in a blaze. And all you see is glory. |
|
But those who've seen it all. |
|
Live out their lives, |
|
In sad cafes and music halls. |
|
They always have a story. |
|
Some women have a body, |
|
Men will want to see. |
|
So they put it on display. |
|
And some people play a fine guitar. |
|
I could listen to them play all day. |
|
Same ladies really move across a stage, |
|
And, gee, they sure can dance. |
|
Well, I guess I could learn how, |
|
If I gave it half a chance. |
|
But I always feel so funny |
|
When my body tries to soar. |
|
And I always seem to worry, |
|
About missing the next chord. |
|
So, I guess there isn't anything, |
|
To put out on display. |
|
Except the tunes, |
|
And whatever else I say. |
|
And anyway, that isn't really, |
|
What I meant to say. |
|
I just meant to tell a story. |
|
And I live from day to day. |
|
Stars, they come and go. |
|
They come fast, they come slow. |
|
They go like the last light of the sun, |
|
All in a blaze. |
|
And all you see is glory. |
|
But those who've seen it all, |
|
Live out their lives, |
|
In sad cafes and music halls. |
|
We always have a story. |
|
So, if you don't lose patience, |
|
With my fumbling around, |
|
I'll come up singing for you, |
|
Even when I'm down. |
|
STARS |
|
Appears on: Stars-1974 & 2004, The Best of Janis Ian-1980 & 2002, Up 'Til |
|
Now-1992, The Bottom Line Encore Collection-19991, Live: Working Without |
|
a Net-2003, Souvenirs: Best of Janis Ian (1972-1981)-2004 & 2006, et al. |
