New Monkey Elliott Smith

Here comes the sidewalk boss again
Telling me how I can't cave in
That I'm a study in black
Need a pat on the back
I look up and smile
A picture of dissatisfaction
That he can only see as a junkie
Though I might be straight as an arrow
He's busy shaking hands with my monkey
Busy shaking hands with my monkey

I go in my car
Straight to the bar
Where my sweetie pours the beer
For the millions of fans ignoring the bands
He's in my ear
Wants me to live in denial
Says, "You've got to settle for something
Though it might not be really living
Anything is better than nothing
Anything is better than nothing"

No half-dead action man going to move in to take my place
I'll be pumping out the product
Just a total waste