Success Story

Album: The Who By Numbers (1975)
Play Video
  • Friday night, I'm on my way home
    They oughta make work a crime
    I'm home for the weekend
    I'm gonna make the most of my time
    There's a rock and roll singer on the television
    Giving up his music, gonna take up religion
    Deserted rock and roll
    To try to save his soul

    Saturday night, gotta gig with the band
    Playing the electric guitar
    Someday I'm gonna make it
    Gonna be a super-duper-star
    Get a flashy car
    And a house for my Ma
    The big break better happen soon
    'Cause I'm pushing twenty-one

    Just like Cinderella
    When she couldn't go to the ball
    A voice said, "I'm your fairy manager
    You shall play the Carnegie Hall"
    I gotta give up my day job
    To become a heartthrob
    I may go far if I smash my guitar

    Away for the weekend
    I've gotta play some one-night stands
    Six for the tax man, and one for the band
    Back in the studio to make our latest number one
    Take two-hundred-and-seventy-six
    You know, this used to be fun

    Monday morning, I just got home
    Six and the birds are singing
    I need a drink and my clothes are wet
    Ooh, and my ears are still ringing
    There's a rock and roll singer boppin' on the TV
    He used to be a preacher, but now he sings in a major key
    Amended his decision to the new religion Writer/s: JOHN ENTWISTLE
    Publisher: GOWMONK, INC.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 4

  • Charles from CanadaAxl Rose had revealed in a Rolling Stone interview that a very drunk John Entwistle admitted to him that they weren't his actual gold records that he shot up in The Kids Are Alright.

    "I'll let you in on a secret, mate... Those were old Connie Francis records I painted gold. I F--kin' stole 'em! I'm not gonna shoot up my own gold records, am I?"
  • Guy from Benson, NcThe records he shot were Roger's. LOL!!!
  • Ken from Oswego, IlThe reference to the preacher is regarding Little Richard who did leave R&R (in 1957) to preach then return to R&R ('62-63). Hence his conversion to the new religion.
  • Brian from Dennis, Mathis was the best scene in the kids are alright, i laughed hard when John shot up the record with the tommy gun
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Rosanne Cash

Rosanne CashSongwriter Interviews

Rosanne talks about the journey that inspired her songs on her album The River & the Thread, including a stop at the Tallahatchie Bridge.

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Scott Stapp

Scott StappSongwriter Interviews

The Creed lead singer reveals the "ego and self-fulfillment" he now sees in one of the band's biggest hits.

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The Kingdom

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The KingdomSongwriter Interviews

The Bush frontman on where he finds inspiration for lyrics, if his "machine head" is a guitar tuner, and the stories behind songs from the album The Kingdom.

The End Of The Rock Era

The End Of The Rock EraSong Writing

There are no more rock stars - the last one died in 1994.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.