The magic is missing on the starlit stage.
Creative crisis brought on by middle age.
The critics say hes turning into a cliche.
Hes throwing, throwing it away.

Im staring at the crowd, measuring the loss.
Hes dying for a drink and starving for applause.
And the girls backstage are half his age, and dont dare to disobey.
Theyre going, going all the way. Going, going all the way.

What a waste of spirit, what a lack of soul.
Were watching a diamond turning back into coal.
Hes just an ageing rooster who cant even crow before day.
Hes throwing, throwing it away

His reputation suffers, it aint even worth a cent.
He says its temporary, but I know its permanent.
He appears on tv talkshows, but theres less and less to say.
Hes throwing, throwing it away. Throwing, throwing it away.

So whatever happened to the man I admired?
When I told him I was leaving, he told me I was fired.
I may be out of a job, but I cant go on this way.
Throwing, throwing it away. Throwing, throwing it away.
When I told him I was leaving, he said that I was fired."