Brighter Then

I was just a little younger then But I had a lot more on my mind I had boundless energy I had dreams enormous as the sun I saw footlights bright and blinding The moment that I bought my first guitar I rehearsed my answers to my Rolling Stone interview in my head I was just a little baby then I could not even conceive of All the emptiness of the broken scene I'd unwittingly become a part of I was betting fame was waiting out there Once I found a semblance of resolve Once I learned to play the game right I'd be indie famous, yeah, sure Somehow, somewhere Some way, some day No concept Of the riches needed No concept Of startup capital No path to The stone faced gatekeepers No path through The nest egg bigger than the sun I was just a little brighter then With an animated inner life But after so much disappointment I am just so, so tired Find myself starting over Once again and now it's crystal clear That when it comes to art And when it comes to fame Beauty is pain No pain no gain Beauty is pain