When I was just sixteen

I stood waiting for a dream

At barker's street bus station every night

When I tried to get it on

She just looked at me with scorn

My courage turned to fear and I took flight.

For those looks, they seemed to say

You ain't nothin', go away

You're just a face in the crowd

So I went home and I vowed

I'm gonna be somebody, someday.

Her name was irene wilde

Oh, such beauty for a child

When she started dating boys, I nearly died

For I could not barely stand

Seeing anyone hold her hand

I felt I had to crawl away and hide.

In my mother's sunny room

I composed so many tunes

They were all the same, just a frame

For a name and just to say

I'm gonna be somebody, someday.

Wilde is your name

As you left that country town

I'd been around, I'd seen some fame

I'd seen some ups, I'd seen some downs

Smile through your shock

When you hear your name aloud

It's that face in the crowd

I didn't dig it, I'm much too proud.

When I was just sixteen

I stood waiting for that dream

At barker's street bus station non-affair

At the time, it seemed so sad

But it didn't turn out bad

If she hadn't turned me down

I'd still be there.

You know I think those folks agree

A little put down makes them see

They ain't no chain, they're just the link

And that's why she made me think

I'm gonna be somebody, be somebody

Be somebody, someday.