Wake Up

i'd drink a bottle every day, then step on stage
i first new something was wrong when i was half my age
one night while i was singing, i started to laugh
i couldn't stop laughing for a week and a half
i'll never forget a girl in the first row
she said, "but it's not funny"-- i said, "i know"
so i went to a shrink and he said to me
"just don't drink when you're nervous, that's the key"
and i said "okay, that sounds fine"
i didn't tell him i was nervous all the time
so i kept on drinking, and i kept on thinking
wake up, you're dying now
you should be dead, but you're not somehow
you think you're being brave, but you're digging a grave
you talk like a master, but you live like a slave
i started meditating, that worked for a while
i spent a lot of time alone, and i forgot how to smile
i went to church, i'd just sit there and stew
thinking how can all these people believe things that aren't true
it seems to work well for them, why can't i
i guess it's 'cause i'm special, 'cause i'm too smart a guy
wake up, you're dying now
you should be dead, but you're not somehow
you think you're being brave, but you're digging a grave
you talk like a master, but you live like a slave
i decided that i couldn't do it alone
i called a guy i knew on the telephone
i told him all i ever wanted was to be perfect
i sure as hell don't wanna be an alcoholic
acceptance is a doorway to hell
if you're on the wrong side, things don't go so well
so i accepted who i am, and named my disease
and finally felt relief, and got down on my knees
wake up, you're living now
you've been gone so long, do you remember how
just be yourself, that's being brave
you're not the master, but you sure ain't a slave
you're not the master, but you sure ain't a slave
wake up, you're living now
you've been gone so long, do you remember how
just be yourself, that's being brave
you're not the master, but you sure ain't a slave
you're not the master, but you sure ain't a slave
you're not the master, but you sure ain't a slave