[Verse 1]
When a boy picks up a guitar, he learns the girls come 'round
And he sees things heat up when he gets his licks down
So now he believes in these mythological gods, lightnin', and money
And then he starts up a band and things begin to get bloody

[Chorus]
Rock-N-Roll is a vicious game
Rock-N-Roll is a vicious game

[Verse 2]
And now the bands starts giggin' at these nightclubs where there's always a sinister element
And they seem to have forgotten all about God and the words of the new testament
And all the kids say, "These guys are heavier than Nine Inch Nails"
And a major record deal has now become the holy grail

[Chorus]
Rock-N-Roll is a vicious game
Rock-N-Roll is a vicious game

[Verse 3]
Now a hot-shot producer comes along and they all sign on the dotted line
And they go in the studio and now it's just a matter of time
And they tour Europe and they get drunk on stage, but in England they think that's cool
And back in the States, the critics set up and start to drool
[Chorus]
Rock-N-Roll is a vicious game
Rock-N-Roll is a vicious game

[Verse 4]
So now it's tattoos and piercin's and leathers and groupies and go-fers
And managers, and agents, lawyers, publicists and chauffers
And the party's never gonna end as far as anyone can see
And then a friendly stranger shows up and says, "The first one's free"

[Chorus]
Rock-N-Roll is a vicious game
Rock-N-Roll is a vicious game

[Verse 5]
And now the band has become the darlin's of the media - they're all the rage
And there's hysteria and public appearances and fistfights backstage
Ah, it seems the gods have smiled upon the band and have embraced them hell-bent
So now it's carte blanche, 'cause money talks even in hell

[Verse 6]
And then comes E.R.'s and stomach pumps and machines that kickstart the heart
And the band breaks up and the bass player O.D.'s as the album reaches number one on the Billboard charts

[Chorus]
Rock-N-Roll is a vicious game
Rock-N-Roll is a vicious game
Rock-N-Roll is a vicious game
Rock-N-Roll is a vicious game