Text: Janis Ian. Ultimate Best. Stars.
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 lonely 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, some of us are drowned
And some 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 all their lives in sad cafes and music halls
We 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 can listen to them play all day
Some ladies really move across a stage
And gee, they sure can dance
But 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 seem to always worry about missing the next chord
So I guess there isn't anything to put up 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 all 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
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 lonely 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, some of us are drowned
And some 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 all their lives in sad cafes and music halls
We 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 can listen to them play all day
Some ladies really move across a stage
And gee, they sure can dance
But 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 seem to always worry about missing the next chord
So I guess there isn't anything to put up 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 all 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
Ian Janis