I Want To Be A Sideman

I want to be a sideman

Just an ordinary sideman

A go-along-for-the-ride man

Responsibility free

I want to fill behind the vocal

Double on flute and jam on the blues

I want to go and join the local

Buy a dark suit and start paying dues

I want to maintain my book in neatly numbered order

I want to listen to Lester Young on my recorder

I want to play while the people dance

I want to press my own coat and pants

I want to ask for an advance

I want to be a sideman

I want to be a sideman

Just a highly qualified man

A professional pride man

Old indispensable me

Now I can cut whatever comes up

Fake and transpose and won't make a fuss

I want to set the vibes and drums up

Sight read the shows and sleep on the bus

I want to spend all my time with music and musicians

I want to go out and grab a smoke on intermissions

I want to sleep in the afternoons

And let the leader call all the tunes

I want to be young

I want to have fun

I want to be a sideman

I want to work for a superstar

I want to hang in the hotel bar

I want to be young

I want to have fun

I want to be a sideman