USED TO BE
(Ron Miller / Ken Hirsch)

Charlene & Stevie Wonder - 1982



CHARLENE:
Superman was killed in Dallas
There's no love left in the palace
Someone took the Beatles' lead guitar
STEVIE:
Have another Chivas Regal
It's twelve years old and sex is legal
Your parents don't know where or who you are

BOTH:
Used to be the hero of the ball game
Took the time to shake the loser's hand
Used to be that failure only meant you didn't try
In a world where people gave a damn

STEVIE:
Great big wars in little places
Look at all those frightened faces
But don't come here, we just don't have the room
CHARLENE:
Love thy neighbour's wife and daughter
Cleanse your life with holy water
We don't need to bathe, we've got perfume

BOTH:
Used to be a knight in shining armour
Didn't have to own a shiny car
Dignity and courage were the measure of a man
Not the drugs he needs to hide the scar
Woh-woh-woh-woh-woh-ooh-woh

BOTH:
Can your teacher read
Does your preacher pray
Does your president have soul
STEVIE: Have you heard a real good ethnic tale today

CHARLENE: Mama took her speed
STEVIE: And daddy ran away
BOTH: But you must'nt lose control

CHARLENE: Let's cut a class
STEVIE: I got some grass
BOTH:
The kids are wild, we just can't tame 'em
Do we have the right to blame them

CHARLENE: We fed them all our indecisions
STEVIE: We wrecked their minds with television
BOTH: But what the hell, they're too young to feel pain

STEVIE: But I believe that love can save tomorrow
CHARLENE: Oooh, I believe the truth can make us free
BOTH:
Someone tried to say it, and we nailed him to the cross
I guess it's still the way it used to be


(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - April 2018)