| Boy next door not too complacent
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| Lost till he found how to pound the pavement
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| He walked like a saint lost far in a world of sin
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| No mama to assure his situation
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| A misfit piss poor education
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| He talked a big game but never could seem to win
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| And southwest Detroit ain’t a place to talk no trash
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| You can throw some dap but it’s best not to flash no cash
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| You grow up quick, fightin' for the upper end of lower class
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| And sometimes ya feel like sand in an hour glass
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| Hey there young man, you better dig down deep in your soul
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| You better learn to play and pray God save rock n roll
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| He got a four-piece band for his graduation
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| A second hand van and they toured the nation
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| But no one seemed to ever wanna sing a long
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| They headed out west to find salvation
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| But the Sunset Strip’s a big temptation
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| The girls and cocaine seemed to write every song
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| But east LA ain’t a place to talk no trash
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| You can play for tips but how long can that life last
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| You grow up quick, writin' checks your ass can’t cash
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| And sometimes ya feel like life’s movin' way too fast
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| Hey there young man, you better dig down deep in your soul
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| You better find your way and pray God save rock n roll
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| Yeah God, save rock n roll
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| If you could find a way I swear I won’t sell my soul
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| Hey God, save rock roll
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| Pave the way and hey God save rock n roll
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| He got pegged to be the next sensation
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| A big fat check for his aggravation
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| And a renegade spot tucked way high up in the hills
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| His songs played strong on every station
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| And MTV in full rotation
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| And his garage was filled up with big Cadillac DeVilles
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| He sold his soul it was fabrication
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| Found success but lost his patience
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| Cuz livin' on the road ain’t all it’s cracked up to be
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| He got dropped in the middle of consolidation
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| His wife took half and then taxation
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| Left him right back at the alter on his knees
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| And southwest Detroit ain’t a place to talk no trash
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| Hey mister big shot, how’s it feel to be back?
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| Yeah you made it, became a member of the upper class
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| Forgot your roots and made everybody kiss your ass
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| Hey there young man, I bet ya never thought you’d get this old
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| I’m still tryin' to be, I’m still singin' in key, I’m still livin' free
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| So fuck you all I said long live rock n roll! |