Checked out of the greybar hotel
Glad to finally be free.
While i was looking for life,
Trouble was looking for me.
We started up a gang war
We played those clubs downtown
Captain jolly, milky
And junkie the laughing clown.

We snatched defeat from the jaws of victory
With holes in our arms for the whole wide world to see
And the scandals would never end
As the candle was burning at both ends.

One night up in east lansing
We stole all the clubs receipts.
I was still on parole
To finish my bit on the streets.
The last thing i needed
Was a petty thieving case.
My whole life flashed before my eyes
As i tried to flee that place.

We snatched defeat from the jaws of victory
Right up on the stage for the whole wide world to see.
Captured by a camera lens
The candle burned at both ends.

Had the pieces all in place
It sure looked good on paper
Tried to stretch a myth
From another dope fiend caper

He finally made the big time
The voice and mtv
Living fast and dying young
Such a minor melody.