Boy next door not too complacent
Lost till he found how to pound the pavement
He walked like a saint lost far in a world of sin
No mama to assure his situation
And southwest Detroit ain?t a place to talk no trash
You can throw some dap but it?s best not to flash no cash
You grow up quick, fightin? for the upper end of lower class
He got a four piece band for his graduation
A second hand van and they toured the nation
But no one seemed to ever wanna sing a long
They headed out west to find salvation
But east LA ain?t a place to talk no trash
You can play for tips but how long can that life last
You grow up quick, writin? checks your ass can?t cash
Yeah God, save rock n roll
If you could find a way I swear I won?t sell my soul
Hey God, save rock roll
He got pegged to be the next sensation
A big fat check for his aggravation
And a renegade spot tucked way high up in the hills
His songs played strong on every station
And southwest Detroit ain?t a place to talk no trash
Hey mister big shot, how?s it feel to be back?
Yeah you made it, became a member of the upper class
I?m still tryin? to be, I?m still singin? in key, I?m still livin? free
So fuck you all I said long live rock n roll!