The day that Elvis died was like a mercy killing
America breathed a sigh of relief
We knew all about the drugs and the Vegas shows
And there wasn’t much of anything that looked like grief
And I guess he should’ve done like James Dean did
‘Stead of putting on weight and sinking down, down, down
Easier to take if he’d a just skidded
Straight to souvenir city and t-shirt town, and
Sometimes I wish I was smarter than I am
But I’m on my 3rd city and I’m
On my 4th car and I’m
On my 5th apartment and so many of my days have sprung
And now it’s too late to crash
Too late to burn
Too late to die young

If Pete Rose had exploded like Roberto Clemente
He’d be hanging in the Hall of Fame without fail
Can you name the last good film Marlon Brando made
While trying to keep his kid from going to jail
And the old people in the street are telling you
Don’t become like me, but every day you creep a little bit closer

And I guess we should’ve done like James Dean did
‘Stead of putting on weight and sinking down, down, down
Easier to take if he’d a just skidded
Straight to souvenir city and t-shirt town
And sometimes I wish I was smarter than I am
But I’m on my 3rd city and I’m
On my 4th car, and I’m
On my 5th apartment, and so many of my days have sprung
And now it’s too late to crash
Too late to burn
Too late to die–young

(lyrics: Dan Bern)