The Entertainer (Live at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY - 2006)

I am the entertainer, and I know just where I stand:
Another serenader, and another long-haired band
Today I am your champion, I may have won your hearts
But I know the game, you will forget my name
And I won't be here in another year, if I don't stay on the charts

I am the entertainer, and I've had to pay my price
The things I did not know at first, I learned by doin' twice
Ah, but still they come to haunt me, still they want their say
So I've learned to dance with a hand in my pants
I let 'em rub my neck, & I write 'em a check, & they go their merry way

I am the entertainer, I've been all around the world
I've played all kinds of palaces, and laid all kinds of girls
I can't remember faces, I don't remember names
Ah, but what the hell, you know it's just as well
'Cause after a while and a million miles, it all becomes the same

I am the entertainer, and I'd bring to you my songs
I'd like to spend a day or two, but I can't stay that long
No, I've got to meet expenses, I got to stay in line
I gotta get those fees to the agencies
And I'd love to stay but there's bills to pay, so I just don't have the time

I am the entertainer, I come to do my show
You've heard my latest record, it's been on the radio
Ah, it took me years to write it, they were the best years of my life
It was a beautiful song. but it ran too long
If you're gonna have a hit, U gotta make it fit, so they cut it down to 3:05

I am the entertainer, the idol of my age
I make all kinds of money, when I go on the stage
Ah, you've seen me in the papers, I've been in the magazines
But if I go cold, I won't get sold
I'll get put in the back in the discount rack like another can of beans

I am the entertainer, and I know just where I stand:
Another serenader, and another long-haired band
Today I am your champion, I may have won your hearts
But I know the game, you will forget my name
I won't be here in another year, if I don't stay on the charts

(Thank you. On the keyboards, from Addison, New Jersey, that's David Rosenthal !)