Trappings

Lyrics

[Verse 1] He could have been so great, he could have had it all He had it on a plate, but he threw it at the wall And he can't know why, but he still said "yes" To the easy lie and the poisoned vest... [Refrain] The trappings of success [Verse 2] They offered him the deal ("Here's the contract") Just like an autograph ("Sign on the line") No need to think or feel ("Advances are abstract") Or do anything but laugh ("The future defined.") He's in possession, yes he's possessed; ("We got ya") They had no fear, he was so impressed [Refrain] By the trappings of success [Verse 3] You'll see him down the clubs or at the premiere (It's just another movie, it's just another act) Strumming in a pub (He's a man of the people), everywhere that's anywhere (Just as long as the people don't talk back) On the Rio shore or the Rome express With a Chinese whore or a Greek princess – [Refrain] These are the trappings of success [Bridge] But he's got no home and he's got no friends And the human mass repel him Now he's on his own and can't comprehend Did he sell out or was he celled in? (He's a prisoner in a gilded cage He's a prisoner... he's all the rage.) [Verse 3] He's waiting for his plane and his first-class seat; They've blown out his brains with sticky kiddies' sweets; Oh, the limo, the coke, the celebrity guest-list The toady jokes and the gutter press... [Refrain] The trappings of success These are the trappings of success And there's no way out of this one [Outro] The trappings of success The trappings of success The trappings of success The trap of fame; (In) the trap... big game