Snatched Defeat - Wayne Kramer

Checked out of the greybar hotel

Glad to finally be free.

While i was looking for life,

Trouble was looking for me.

We started up a gang war

We played those clubs downtown

Captain jolly, milky

And junkie the laughing clown.

We snatched defeat from the jaws of victory

With holes in our arms for the whole wide world to see

And the scandals would never end

As the candle was burning at both ends.

One night up in east lansing

We stole all the clubs receipts.

I was still on parole

To finish my bit on the streets.

The last thing i needed

Was a petty thieving case.

My whole life flashed before my eyes

As i tried to flee that place.

We snatched defeat from the jaws of victory

Right up on the stage for the whole wide world to see.

Captured by a camera lens

The candle burned at both ends.

Had the pieces all in place

It sure looked good on paper

Tried to stretch a myth

From another dope fiend caper

He finally made the big time

The voice and mtv

Living fast and dying young

Such a minor melody.