The way I see it
You just can't win it
Everybody's in it for their own gain
You can't please 'em all
There's always somebody calling you down
I do my best and I do good business
There's a lot of people asking for my time
They're trying to get ahead
They're trying to be a good friend of mine

I was a free man in Paris
I felt unfettered and alive
There was nobody calling me up for favours
And no one's future to decide
You know I'd go back there tomorrow
But for the work that I've taken on
Stoking the star maker machinery
Behind the popular song

I deal in dreamers
And telephone screamers
Lately I wonder what I do it for
If I had my way
I just walk out those doors
And wander down the Champs Elysées
Going cafe to cabaret
Thinking how I'll feel when I find
That very good friend of mine

[2x:]
I was a free man in Paris
I felt unfettered and alive
There was nobody calling me up for favours
I had no one's future to decide
You know I'd go back there tomorrow
But for the work that I've taken on
Stoking the star maker machinery
Behind the popular song

I was a free man in Paris
I felt unfettered and alive
There was nobody calling me up for favours
And nobody's future to decide
You know I'd go back there tomorrow...