You’re gonna go far, kid.

They tell you you’re gorgeous, you’re talented, you’ve got that spark
And you don’t know what spark is, but apparently you’ve got it
And that’s all that matters.

You’re gonna go far, kid.

Your parents agree to sending your pictures in to a few agencies
And within a week you have a call.
They love your face. They want to meet you.

You’re gonna go far, kid.

They like you, they think you’re cute in an “I don’t know what I’m doing” kind of way
And it’s not an act, you really don’t know what you’re doing
But all these people believe in you, so you might as well play along.

You’re gonna go far, kid.

The rise to fame is not slow and arduous, like your parents told you it would be;
It’s exactly like in all those mediocre movies about those beautiful people.
It’s a quick elevator ride to the top, and you’re a star.

You’re gonna go far, kid.

They ship you out to L.A., and your parents follow
And you’re glad that they’re there because it’s a big city and you’re a little scared
And you’re meeting people and trying new things and it’s all so much.

You’re gonna go far, kid.

People offer you things, all kinds of things; they say it’s free, it’s on the house, try some.
And you remember what they told you in school, about bad influences
But you figure this is part of growing up. Try some, they say. You do.

You’re gonna go far, kid.

It’s fun, at first, when everyone wants to be your friend and you have everything you ever wanted
Except for your mom; she left a week ago
But that was because you got mad and said some things that weren’t very nice.

You’re gonna go far, kid.

Your dad stayed, but he’s not very happy with you, because you’re never home
You’re always out talking to directors and partying with the elite and doing things you shouldn't do
And pretty soon, the only time you see each other is when you come back to the hotel to sleep.

You’re gonna go far, kid.

It’s not so great anymore, you realize
All those people are not really your friends, they don’t really care about you
And you start feeling like you’ve made a giant mistake.

You’re gonna go far, kid.

You’re talking to reporters and suddenly the sound of the camera shutters is like the sound of gunshots
In those old Western movies you used to watch with your dad
And you feel pale and faint and small.

You’re gonna go far, kid.

You don’t want to be here, you want to be home with your friends and family
And especially your parents, you were so awful to them.
Yesterday was your 18th birthday.

You’re gonna go far, kid.

Your dad left this morning, and you tried to ask him to stay but the words got stuck in your throat
So he boarded the plane and went back home
And you went back to all the fame and parties and narcotics and loneliness.

You’re gonna go far, kid.

You’re on your own now, and none of it makes sense anymore
Your agents are not interested in taking your calls, you’re old news;
And all those pretty people have disappeared.

You’re gonna go far, kid.

You feel betrayed, and depressed, and angry, and hurt, but most of all,
You feel that this was all your fault
And you need to make things right.

You’re gonna go far, kid.

So when you get back home, and your mother is knitting a winter cap in her favorite chair,
And your father is watching the game on TV
And both of them look up and stare at you, surprised, you smile.

You’re gonna go far, kid.