Stars

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.