Chance are for many, fortunes are for few
You might just earn a penny, but you're lucky if you do
And you watch the backstreet idols, screaming current insurrection
And the money-boxes smile and say "right on"
But the moment he starts slipping, then the exit is so greasy,
He's half way to forgotten, 'fore he's gone
And when you fall, they don't know you at all
And when you fall, they don't know you at all
You can talk of million sellers, cruising yachts and limousines
And of houses without number, and a world to call your own
But for every new Onasis, with a starlet at his elbow
There's so many who won't see the light of day
For it isn't just the music, it's the twenty-five percenters
And the business smiles who finally have their say
And when you fall, they don't know you at all
And when you fall, they don't know you at all
Crawling to newsmen, who hide in the bar while you play
Three lines if you're lucky, we've heard it before, anyway
You can thank sweet inspiration, for giving you a helping hand
And the songs you play for jokers, are the only cards to save your hand
For the race is run by many, with their wild dream aspirations
But of true survivors, sadly there are few
And for every ageing rock star, who sold his soul to boredom
There's so many, given the chance would do it to
And when you fall, they don't know you at all
And when you fall, they don't know you at all
And after all