You're doing everything your people said to
I'd hate to be the one to break it to you
It's only sad cause it's true
They misled you when they bred you
Somebody said some things they had no right to
Somehow they stuck and you were known as someone who
Could simply not follow through if he had to
But you have to, don't you?

You don't have to be a genius
But it helps to, it helps to
Fools and charlatans, they may get wise
But only cream and bastards rise
Yeah, you can see it in their eyes

You followed good advices to the letter
You know your friend? He's doing so much better than you
Are ever likely to do
He'll eclipse you but he will not miss you

You don't have to be a genius
But it helps to, it helps to
All the also-rans are real nice guys
But only cream and bastards rise

People who could buy and sell you
Sharing a joke that they will never tell you
You think you're dialed in, someone has to win
And you know what that means, it means someone's gotta lose
It's probably you
It's probably you
It's not a race, it's not a competition
And if it were you'd be in no position to
Get them to listen to you if you had to
No, not even if your life depended on it

You don't have to be a genius
But it helps to, it helps to
Some are aliens, the rest are spies
But only cream and bastards rise
And you can see it in their eyes