A man once said that the pinnacle of success
Was when you finally lost interest
In money, compliments, and publicity

A noble enough idea, I suppose
How on earth he does this, heaven only knows
I know I need a lot more of all three of those
Before I ever have the nerve to turn up my nose
At any money, or compliment, some publicity

I'm broke as the ten commandments
Sometimes I'm harder to follow
I don't know whether to walk to school or take my lunch
S-s-should've worn my watch, it's true

You may think you see a man who was looking for attention
But you're looking at a man who has lived through a little bit of
Poverty, some anxiety, some scrutiny

You know, if I ever do get my money together
I'm gon' take care of all of my friends
I'll buy an island run a phone line
Call them tell them all to get fucked, oh
That oughta take care of them
Just be me and my money and my compliments and my publicity
Sing it with me
Money, compliments, and publicity
It's an issue for me, I
I went to see this therapist
She said, just do the best you can do
Do the best you can do
I was hoping for something more specific

A man once said that the pinnacle of success
Was when you finally lost interest
In money, compliments, publicity

Many years later, another man will say all that again
But not for the sake of inspiring men
But rather 'cause he's got nine songs and knows he needs at least ten
Before he can go back to town and turn them all in

To get the money (you guessed it), the compliments, publicity
Money, compliments and publicity
Lord, I'm gonna take it to the bank and save money
I love the compliments and the publicity
Lord, I'm gonna take it to the bank and save money
I love the compliments and the publicity
I've got so many people to thank
I want to thank Claude Davies
I won't forget the good Lord up in heaven above
And all my fans for my money, my compliments, and my publicity
Money, the compliments, the publicity
Lord, I want to bathe in it: money, I love the compliments, publicity
Money, the compliments, the publicity