Written by John Mellencamp



Well I've lived and breathed and been disbelieved

in these small town streets too long

I've been up with the winners and down with the sinners

And hung on this corner 'til dawn

And my hands they have been tied

To a life I've been denied

I'm just a small town boy bein' used like a toy

And workin' from nine to five



By the end of the day, all the kids would go play

And I'd come staggering home

With a dream in my hand and a master plan

That wouln't leave my mind alone

I compromised all my schemes

And flucturated all my dreams

I'm just a small town boy bein' used like a toy

And nothing is like it really seems



(bridge)



But you must believe that when I walk down the tracks

The young girls fall back and say

There goes that sleek young silhouette

He don't drive no Corvette

But he stings just like a Sting Ray

And that's my only redemption in this house of detention

That keeps me from simply blowin' it all away

'Cause when I walk down the street in the hot summer heat

I say, God don't take this away



I keep hopin' and wishin' that these romantic positions

Gonna help me hide my pain

And all the hurt that I've felt underneath my leather studded belt

Of not finding fortune and fame

But some day I'll blow 'em away with the things that I may sing and

might say

I'm just a small town boy bein' used like a toy

And waitin' for my pay dirt day



I'm just a small town boy bein' used like a toy

And waitin' for my pay day