I laid all my songs at Johnny Mathis' Feet
I said "Johnny, Johnny tell me, won't you tell me how to live?
All my hopes are unravelling and I just lost my lease
On a house without love, doors or windowsWithout peace..."

And with a wave of his jewel-encrusted hand
Across a glittering Las Vegas scene,
He said: "You've got to learn how to disappear
In the silk and amphetamines."

Johnny looked at my songs, and he said:
"Well, at first guess,
Never in my life have I ever seen such a mess;
Why do you say everything as if you were a thief?
Like what you stole has no value,
And like what you preach is far from belief?"

And with a wave of his red, white and blue hand
Across a glittering Hollywood scene,
He said: "You've got to learn how to disappear
In the silk and amphetamines."

Johnny looked at my collection of old punk rock postersAnonymous scenes of disaffection, chaos and tortureAnd he said: "You are on the right track,
But you are a lamb jumping for the knife;
A real showman knows how to disappear in the spotlight..."