Lyrics

[Verse 1] Well, I stood stone-like at midnight Suspended in my masquerade And I combed my hair 'til it was just right And commanded the night brigade I was open to pain and crossed by the rain And I walked on a crooked crutch I strolled all alone through a fallout zone And came out with my soul untouched [Chorus] I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd, but when they said, "Sit down," I stood up Ooh, ooh, growin' up [Verse 2] The flag of piracy flew from my mast My sails were set wing to wing I had a jukebox graduate for first mate She couldn't sail, but she sure could sing I pushed B-52 and bombed them with the blues With my gear set stubborn on standing I broke all the rules, strafed my old high school Never once gave thought to landing [Chorus] I hid in the clouded warmth of the crowd, but when they said, "Come down," I threw up Ooh, ooh, growin' up Work it back now [Piano Solo] [Verse 3] I took month-long vacations in the stratosphere And you know, it's really hard to hold your breath I swear I lost everything I ever loved or feared I was the cosmic kid in full-costume dress Well, my feet they finally took root in the earth But I got me a nice little place in the stars And I swear I found the key to the universe In the engine of an old parked car [Chorus] I hid in the mother breast of the crowd, but when they said, "Pull down," I pulled up Ooh, ooh, growin' up Ooh, ooh, growin' up