Intro ( G ) G Boy next door not too complacent Lost till he found how to pound the pavement D C G He walked like a saint lost far in a world of sin No mama to assure his situation A misfit piss poor education He talked a big game but never could seem to win C G And southwest Detroit ain?t a place to talk no trash D C G 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 And sometimes ya feel like sand in an hour glass Hey there young man, you better dig down deep in your soul You better learn to play and pray God save rock n roll G He got a four-piece band for his graduation A second hand van and they toured the nation D C G But no one seemed to ever wanna sing a long They headed out west to find salvation But the Sunset Strip?s a big temptation The girls and cocaine seemed to write every song C G But east LA ain?t a place to talk no trash D C G You can play for tips but how long can that life last You grow up quick, writin? checks your ass can?t cash And sometimes ya feel like life?s movin? way too fast Hey there young man, you better dig down deep in your soul You better find your way and pray God save rock n roll C G Yeah God, save rock n roll D C G If you could find a way I swear I won?t sell my soul Hey God, save rock roll Pave the way and hey God save rock n roll Solo: ( C - G - D - C - G ) G He got pegged to be the next sensation A big fat check for his aggravation D C G And a renegade spot tucked way high up in the hills His songs played strong on every station And MTV in full rotation And his garage was filled up with big Cadillac DeVilles He sold his soul it was fabrication Found success but lost his patience Cuz livin? on the road ain?t all it?s cracked up to be He got dropped in the middle of consolidation His wife took half and then taxation Left him right back at the alter on his knees C G And southwest Detroit ain?t a place to talk no trash D C G Hey mister big shot, how?s it feel to be back? Yeah you made it, became a member of the upper class Forgot your roots and made everybody kiss your ass Hey there young man, I bet ya never thought you?d get this old D I?m still tryin? to be, I?m still singin? in key, I?m still livin? free C G So fuck you all I said long live rock n roll!
