When I was just sixteen - I stood waiting for a dream -

at Barker Street bus station every night

When I tried to get it on - she just looked at me with scorn - my courage

turned to dust and I took flight



For those looks they seemed to say

You ain't nuthin' - Go away

You're just a face in the crowd so I went home and I vowed

I'm gonna be somebody - someday



Her name was Irene Wilde - Oh such beauty for a child

When she started dating boys - I nearly died

For I could not barely stand to see someone hold her hand

I felt I had to crawl away and hide

In my mother's living room I composed so many tunes

All the same - just a frame - for her name, and just to say

Gonna be somebody - someday



Wild as your name I soon left that country town

I been around, seen some fame, seen some ups and seen some downs

Smile through your shock when you hear your name aloud

It's that face in the crowd - didn't dig it - much too proud...



When I was just sixteen I stood waiting for a dream

A Barker Street bus station non affair

At the time it seemed so sad, but it did not turn out bad

If you hadn't messed me up I'd still be there

And I think most folks agree, a little put-down makes them see

They ain't no chain - just a link and that's why you made me think

Gonna be somebody - be somebody - be somebody - someday