Janis Ian Stars Lyrics

Stars Lyrics

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 or slow  

  They go like the last light  

  of the sun, all in a blaze  

  and all you see is glory  

  But it gets lonely 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 break our collarbones  

  and come up swinging  

  Some of us are downed  

  Some of us are crowned  

  and some are lost  

  and never found  

  But most have seen it all  

  They live their lives in  

  sad cafes and music halls  

  They always have a story  

  

  Some make it when they're young  

  before the world has  

  done its 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  

  

  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  

  that 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)  

  

  Some women have a body  

  men will want to see,  

  so they put it on display  

  Some people play a fine guitar  

  I could listen to them  

  play all day  

  Some ladies really  

  move across a stage  

  and gee, they sure can dance  

  I guess I could learn how  

  if I have it half a chance  

  

  but I always feel so funny  

  when my body tries to soar  

  and I seem to always worry  

  about missing the next chord  

  

  I guess there isn't anything  

  to put up on display  

  except the tunes  

  and whatever else I say  

  Anyway, that isn't really  

  what I meant to say  

  I meant to tell a story  

  I live from day to day  

  

  Stars, they come and go  

  They come fast or 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  

  they live 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