[Verse 1]
An iron fist quietly sits
Inside the Velvet Glove
Take control, untouchable
Just like God above
I can't escape, wrapped in red tape
What will become of me?
If I object, then I defect
My country 'tis of thee

[Chorus 1]
"The White House is calling."
Tell 'em I'll call them back
Just tell 'em anything
Yeah, get 'em off my back

[Post-Chorus]
(The world needs a hero)

[Verse 2]
Not that I would ever lie
But I have no choice
Words I say heard today
Are not mine, just my voice

[Chorus 2]
"NATO is on line one."
They wanna talk to me?
Tell 'em that I'm not in
Tell 'em that I'm not free
[Post-Chorus]
The world needs a hero
The world needs a hero

[Verse 3]
Phantom rule, the hidden jewel
Who's really in control?
On puppet strings, a nation swings
Undermined by moles

[Chorus 3]
"The UN is on hold."
Tell 'em I'll call 'em back
Yeah, tell 'em anything
Just get 'em off my back

[Post-Chorus]
The world needs a hero
The world needs a hero

[Instrumental Break]

[Chorus 4]
"Dave, the White House is calling."
They wanna talk to me?
Tell 'em that I can't be bought
Tell 'em that I'm not free
[Outro]
The world needs a hero (Ha! Yeah)
The world needs a hero (The world needs a hero)
The world needs a hero (I've got to, got to, got to find a hero)
The world needs a hero (Ohh, ahh-ohh)