You can invent the person that you'll be
The one the world will see and
Give yourself a brand new name
But words have weight
Enough to bring you down
And pull you to the ground and
Shackle you with all this useless fame

The devil is smart when he plays his part
He might even know your name
But don't believe a world of it, my love
It's just a game

So here you are, alone atop the world
An oyster with a pearl of
Wisdom to bestow upon us all
Just find time between your song and dance
And privileged song and dance to
Stop and read the writing on the wall

The devil is smart when he plays his part
He might even know your name
But don't believe a world of it, my love
It's just a game

A kid somewhere is getting older
Timid still, but getting older
Taking time to figure out exactly what he'll say
And as you're tripping through your latest blunder
He'll, out of nowhere, steal your thunder
With just a simple chorus and a clever turn of phrase
You had all this time to say your perfect line
But you threw it all away
To drive a big car
To date a film star
I don't blame you, it's exactly what I would do