Tonight the city is paralyzed
Little Ricky's got that look inside his eyes
They sat around laughing
He was shaking like a leaf on a tree
The love, the lust, the compromise
His selfish pride was his one and only vice
They sat around laughing
Ricky's calling out for you and for me
That's the way you do it
Ain't nobody fooling but me
Shackled by the ma**es, chains in your head
You're running around in circles because you're trying to get away from me
The lights, the eyes, the callous tone
Voices whimpered as the cord broke from the phone
Terrified Ricky, broken shackles, and a desperate plea
You know the matches burn to ashes, no more shaking like a leaf on a tree
That's the way you do it
Ain't nobody fooling but me
Shackled by the ma**es, chains in your head
You're tired of all the running, but you've gotta get away from me