The streets of the future littered with remains
Of both the fools and the so-called brains
The whole prediction is enough to kill
But only God knows if it won't or it will
Nobody knows why we fell so flat
Some silly creature said we'd never crack
Most would just survive and then bounce back
But the rest are crying "Why'd I fall for that crap"
Why did I fall for that?
So many rash promises sincerely made
By people who believed that we were being saved
They made us all believe that we were acting white
But the truth is we've forgotten how we used to fight
Nobody knows why we fell so flat
We're impotent and neutered like whining cats
We've found the piper but we've lost the rats
But the kids are crying "Why'd I fall for that dad?"
Why did you fall?
It never rains under my umbrella
Four minutes to midnight on a sunny day
Maybe if we smile the clock'll fade away
Maybe we can force the hands to just reverse
Maybe is a word, maybe maybe's a curse
Nobody knows why we fell so flat
We've never been taught to fight or to face up to facts
We simply believe that we'd remain intact
But history is asking why did you fall for that
Why did you fall?
Why did I fall for that?
Why did I fall for that?
Why did I fall for that?
You talk about your crazy affairs
You talk about your life as though it really mattered
You get attention 'cause you block the stairs
Bragging about some bottles you have shattered.
Well met a man who really lives
He really does it all
But what matters is the heart he gives
He makes your talk seem small.
When a man is a man
He doesn't act to a plan
He don't have to perform like John Wayne in some B-feature flick
A man is a man
When he can offer his hand
Not afraid of appearing insane if he can't break a brick
I know a man who's a man.
Can't you sometimes crack a smile
Do you think if you did we would run and tell?
I know one day your big villain style
Will collapse as they turn the door of your cell
I know a man who was once like you
But he opened his heart
No one is really bad right through
He's just another part
When a man is a man
And he drinks 'till he's canned
He can drop to the floor, he can weep, we won't ask the price
A man is a man
He can fall he can stand
We won't love him more if he keeps his soul on the ice
I know a man who's a man
Every one of us, is looking for fame
He's a looker
He's a dresser
He's a genius, under pressure
I know a man who could tighten your rein
He's a father
He's a brother
He's a rocker
He's a lover
He's a man, he's a man
He doesn't act to a plan
He don't have to get hitched to a train in some muscle beach trick
A man is a man
When he can offer his hand
Not afraid of appearing insane if he can't break a brick
Be a man who's a man.
Once it was just innocence
Brash ideas and insolence
But you will never get away
With the things you say today.
But you can cry if you want.
Don't you get embarrassed when you read the precious things you said
Many many years ago when life appeared rosy red
No one ever shared your bed
Nothing ever filled your head
Except yourself and little Ted
And scary dreams that you were dead
Don't you want to hide your face
When going through your teenage books
And read the kind of crap you wrote
'Bout "Ban the Bomb" and city crooks
Think about how long it took
To get over that sudden "yuchh"
When in the mirror you would look
Well now my son you're well in stook
Cry if you want.
Cry if you want.
Didn't you writhe in anger when you saw the man in his big car
Didn't you drive a banger and a gallon didn't get you far
Should have been a famous star
But that ain't what you really are
You could shout your last hurrah
While they are propping up the bar
Maybe things were better then
Before you led a promised life
Rash commitments, heavy raps, and left-wing spiel all compromised
You fall in love with other's wives
Drive'em nuts with empty lies
Angry 'cause you lost the prize
Forgot the color of their eyes.
Cry if you want.
Cry if you want.
Let your tears flow
Let your past go
Don't you get embarrassed when you think about the way you were
Yesterday, the day before, when you were young with much to learn
Aren't you glad it's your last term
No more acting lowly worm
You can make the suckers squirm
When you tell them how much you earn
Don't you feel ashamed of all the bitterness you keep inside
Does your ego save your face, "I had a go--I really tried"
Now you know your leaders lied
Does it stop you acting snide
Or are you still a boy that cried
Tears now surely long since dried.
Cry if you want.
Cry if you want.