I drove into Nashville with a sack of songs I wrote 

Parked the car, walked in a bar

 not far from music Row

They're sat a poet, whose in the Hall of Fame

I knew the words to all of his songs and I even knew his name



He said I have gold and platinum hanging on every wall

You wouldn't believe the hell that I went through to get em all

If I knew then what I know now 

I'm sure I'd never left home

You think you want to be a songwriter like me but you don't



He said son I was really something in my prime

I had three songs in the top 10 at the same time

Be careful what you wish for

 you may get what you want

You think you want to be a songwriter like me, but you don't



He said I made a Ton of money

But it went to my ex-wives

And the rest flew out the window when the IRS arrived

When you lose your home

And all your songs

You'll find what you're made of

And son I can see in your eyes

You ain't crazy enough

Go back to your family and leave guys like me alone

You think you want to be a songwriter but you don't



He said son I was really something in my prime

I had three songs in the top 10 at the same time

Be careful what you wish for

 you may get what you want

You think you want to be a songwriter like me, but you don't