I stood stone-like at midnight,
Suspended in my masquerade
I combed my hair till 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
And 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…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 b-52 and bombed them 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
I hid in the clouded warmth of the crowd,
But when they said, «Come down,» I threw up
Ooh…growin' up
I took month-long vacations in the stratosphere
And you know it's really hard to hold your breath
I swear I lost everything I ever loved or feared,
I was the cosmic kid in full costume dress
Well, my feet they finally took root in the earth,
But I got me 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, «Pull down,» I pulled up
Ooh…growin' up
Ooh…growin' up