STARS
(Janis Ian)


Janis Ian - 1974


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
 
Hey, 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 come up singing
 
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, now 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 
That 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 follow as you walk 
And ask for autographs or kiss you on the cheek 
And you never can 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

Stars, they come and go, they come fast, they come slow 
They go like the last light of the sun, all in a blaze 
And all you see is glory
 
And most have seen it all 
They live their lives in sad cafes and music halls 
They always have a story
 
Some women have a body men will want to see
And 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 gave 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 tune and whatever else I say 
And 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 in fast, they come slow 
They go like the last light of the sun, all in a blaze 
And all you see is glory
 
But most have seen it all
Live their lives in sad cafes and music halls 
And 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



(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - August 2020)