Tried busking down in Frisco, tried dancin' in LA

I played the blues in Chicago, boy I ran home in Santa Fe

I played guitar for many men, signed a deal or two

And all I ever got from them is the sho-biz blues

I got hot chicks down in Texas, no work in Alabam'

Snowed in out on Belibor you were always in a jam

Worked carnivals down in Georgia, night clubs attitude

And all I ever got from them is the sho-biz blues

Well the manager's got no money, the bookers had no jobs

The record man he fell asleep, he says I look like a slob

The bus breaks down and the motel's bad you're always in a stew

You can't quit you're too far gone, you got the sho-biz blues

I tried to love the ladies everywhere I went

When I got down and out they wouldn't ever pay my rent

If you crave your neighbour lights, the spotlight's right on you

When it's time to get the catch with the sho-biz blues

Now you can't sleep till two o'clock, you ain't no millionaire

This entertaining lifestyle just seems to go nowhere

You write a song it seems OK, they say it's nothin' new

It don't take long to find you've got the sho-biz blues