Johnny Mathis' Feet

I lay all my songs



At Johnny Mathis' feet



I said, "Johnny, Johnny tell me



Can you tell me how to live?"



"All my hopes are unraveling



And I just lost my lease



On my house without love



Doors, or windows without peace"



And with a wave of his jewel-encrusted hand



Across the glittering Las Vegas scene he said



"You gotta learn how to disappear



In the silk and amphetamine"



Johnny looked at my songs and he said



"Well, at first guess



Never in my life



Have I ever seen such a mess"



"Why do you say everything



As if you were a thief?



Like what you've stolen has no value



Like what you preach is far from belief?"



And with a wave of his red white and blue hand



Across the glittering Hollywood scene he said



"You gotta learn how to disappear



In the silk and amphetamine, in the silk and amphetamine"



Johnny looked at my old collection



Of punk rock posters



Anonymous scenes of disaffection



Chaos, torture



And he said, "You were on the right track



But you're a lamb jumping for the knife"



He said, "A real showman knows



How to disappear in the spotlight



In the spotlight, in the spotlight, in the spotlight"