[JOE] Sure I came out here to make my name Wanted my pool, my dose of fame Wanted my parking space at Warner's But after a year, a one room hell A Murphy bed, a rancid smell Wallpaper peeling at the corners Sunset Boulevard, twisting boulevard Secretive and rich, a little scary Sunset Boulevard, tempting boulevard Waiting there to swallow the unwary Dreams are not enough to win a war Out here they're always keeping score Beneath the tan the battle rages Smile a rented smile, fill someone's gla** Kiss someone's wife, kiss someone's a** We do whatever pays the wages Sunset Boulevard, headline boulevard Getting here is only the beginning Sunset Boulevard, jackpot boulevard Once you've won you have to go on winning You think I've sold out? Dead right I've sold out I just keep waiting for the right offer Comfortable quarters, regular rations 24-hour Five Star room service And if I'm honest, I like the lady
I can't help being touched by her folly I'm treading water, taking the money Watching her sun set Well, I'm a writer L.A.'s changed a lot over the years Since those brave gold rush pioneers Came in their creaky covered wagons Far as they could go end of the line Their dreams were yours, their dreams were mine But in those dreams were hidden dragons Sunset Boulevard, frenzied boulevard Swamped with every kind of false emotion Sunset Boulevard, brutal boulevard Just like you, we'll wind up in the ocean She was sinking fast, I threw a rope Now I have suits and she has hope It seemed an elegant solution One day this must end, it isn't real Still I'll enjoy a hearty meal Before tomorrow's execution Sunset Boulevard, ruthless boulevard Destination for the stony-hearted Sunset Boulevard, lethal boulevard Everyone's forgotten how they started Here on Sunset Boulevard