Well I stood stone like at midnight
Suspended in my masquerade
I combed my hair 'til it was just right
And commanded the night brigade

I was open to pain and crossed by the rain
And I walked on a crooked crutch
I strolled all alone through a fallout zone
Came out with my soul untouched

I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd
But when they said sit down, I stood up
Ooh-ooh, growin' up

The flag of piracy flew from my mast
My sails were set wing to wing
I had a jukebox graduate for first mate
She couldn't sail but she sure could sing

I pushed the B-52 and bombed 'em with the blues
With my gear set stubborn on standing
I broke all the rules, strafed my old high school
Never once gave thought to landing, no

And I hid in the clouded warmth of the crowd
When they said come down, I threw up
Ohh-oh, growin' up
I took month-long vacations in the stratosphere
You know it's really hard to hold your breath
And I swear I lost everything I ever loved or feared
I was the cosmic kid in full costume dress

Well my feet finally took root in the earth
But I got a nice little place in the stars
And I swear I found the key to the universe
In the engine of an old parked car

I hid in the mother breast of the crowd
But when they said move down, I moved up
Oh-oh-oh, don't you know that I'm growin' up
I said, oh-oh-oh, I can't help it that I'm growin' up