Текст пісні
There was a time when I saw myself
A floodlit figure on the stage
The Metropolitan Opera
The daily critic's latest rage
But my voice went through a change
About the same time as my skin
Now the opera octaves gone and what is left
Is getting awfully thin
There was a time when I saw myself
A superstar upon the stage
In someone's rock and roll opera
But then my throat began to age
And I wound up working nights
With afternoons when I'm awake
So I watch the daily dramas
As my life becomes a coffee break
Here's the story up to date
Shirley's found another mate
Though she'll wind up with a husband in the end
But her husband's got no life
He can't make it with his wife
Though his secretary's more than just his friend
It's a day-to-day routine and I watch the TV screen
Letting Bob and Shirley live my life for me
It's an opera made of soap using other people's hope
And tomorrow's show ain't soon enough for me
There was a time when I saw myself
A clean-cut cowboy on the screen
A spurs and saddle horse opera
But that's a long forgotten dream
So I watch Let's Make a Deal
And win the jackpot in my brain
Then it's time to watch the show
That's got my cerebellum half insane
Here's the story down to earth
Shirley's finally given birth
She's been carrying the baby for a year
Though it don't belong to Bob
Who's been fired from his job
As a surgeon 'cause he's got this sudden fear
He can't stand the sight of blood
Meanwhile Shirley's mad at Jud
Who's the father of the kid but he won't give
And tomorrow's show will say what they left out yesterday
And that gives me one good reason I should live
Here's the story in a shell
Bobby's mind is shot to hell
'Cause he can't recall his name or how he feels