People, wasting away in paradise Going backward, once in a while Moving ahead, falling behind What do you believe, what do you believe What do you believe is true Nothing they say makes a difference this way Nothing they say will do Take all the trouble that you can afford At least you won't have time to be bored Oh the power and the pa**ion, oh the temper of the time Oh the power and the pa**ion Sometimes you've got to take the hardest line Sunburnt faces around, with skin so brown Smiling zinc cream and crowds, sundays the beach never a cloud Breathing eucalypt, pushing panel vans Stuff and munch junk food Laughing at the truth, cos gough was tough til he hit the rough Uncle sam and john were quite enough Too much of sunshine too much of sky It's just enough to make you want to cry Oh the power... I see buildings, clothing the sky, in paradise Sydney, nights are warm Daytime telly, blue rinse dawn Dad's so bad he lives in the pub, it's a underarms and football clubs Flat chat, pine gap, in every home a big mac And no one goes outback, that's that You take what you get and get what you please It's better to die on your feet than to live on your knees Oh the power... (hirst/moginie/garrett)