I stood stone-like at midnight Suspended in my masquerade I combed my hair 'til it was just right 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 the fallout zone Came out with my soul untouched I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd When they said, "Sit down," I stood up Ooh-ooh, growin' up The flag of piracy flew from my mast My sails were set wing to wing Had a jukebox graduate for a first mate She couldn't sail but she sure could sing I pushed B-52 And bombed 'em 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 I hid in the clouded warmth of the crowd When they said, "Come down," I threw up Ooh-ooh, growin' up I took month long vacations in the stratosphere Y'know it's really hard to hold your breath Swear I lost everything I ever loved or feared I was the cosmic kid in full costume dress Yeah, my feet finally took root on the earth 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 I hid in the mother breast of the crowd When they said, "Pull down," I pulled up Ooh-ooh, growin' up Ooh-ooh, growin' up