"Looking out for number one"

 

Unpublished song sung by Daniel Lavoie at a private performance in 1993.

Lyrics: Mary Beth Derry/Daniel Lavoie
Music:  Daniel Lavoie

He got snakeskin boots and a steel guitar and a ring with the initials on it
That’s all that’s left of daddy since he drove off in a cold blue dark
He got a lump on his forehead when mama’s new boyfriend told him how to watch his mouth.
He got a hurt the size of Texas and he don’t  want to talk about it.

Ain’t  it true boy in this whole world no-one hangs around too long,
And all of them  heroes that you looked up to were only looking out for number 1

There’s an old blue Dodge sitting back in a yard, daddy has always meant to fix
He took a sledgehammer to it, said it was just for kids.
There’s a cold wind rising on the desert floor prophetising things to come
There’s wives of an ugly war, claiming a heart so young.

Ain’t  it true boy in this whole world no-one hangs around too long,
And all of them  heroes that you looked up to were only looking out for number 1

There’s a road rising up at his feet, telling him « don’t look back ».
Well, he is howling like a young wolf being separated from the pack.
Outside the windows tonight the engines scream the boys are looking for a fight.
Is it Jimmy Dean? Or is it just a dream? Or is someone gonna  kill tonight?

Ain’t  it true boy in this whole world no-one hangs around too long,
And all of them  heroes that you looked up to were only looking out for number 1

 

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