Lonely One Lyrics

Janis Ian Lonely One

You get your love from dogs and cats
You find in the neighborhood.
And animal love is good.
You haven't got a girl,
You're scared of the world.
No, you don't want a lover,
You want a mother.
Yes, you read all the overground books,
You have quite an intellectual look.
But are you an artist? Are you a book?
Or just a cover? Ah, lonely one,
You make me feel I'm the only one
To know that you're not real, lonely one.
Turn down thumbs on the world.

So you say you're an artist with a tormented soul.
Your heroes have left for the Hollywood Bowl.
Sour grapes come here.
You say you never really cared.
Ah, don't you see you're just like him and me.
Ah, but you're a pillar of society.
And you are good.
Do all that Big Brother says you should.
And all of your friends, they need a boss.
Somebody to help them onto the cross.
Now, don't you like being somebody's punishment?
It makes you feel needed. Ah, lonely one,
You make me feel I'm the only one
To know that you're not real, lonely one.
Turn down thumbs on the world.

And though you're alone you say it will pass,
Ah, you have your books, your diamonds,
All of your grass.
It wouldn't be so bad if that weren't all you had.
You've never seen the lady laugh.
Lonely one, don't you wish you had
Been a four-star general just like Captain America?
You got to bed each night,
Your arms wrapped 'round a pillow.
Dreaming of becoming tomorrow's superhero.
Rose-colored glasses, I wish you had 'em.
At least you would see me. Ah, lonely one,
You make me feel I'm the only one
To know that you're not real, lonely one.
Turn down thumbs on the world.