Brilliant Mistake

[Verse 1]

He thought he was the king of America

Where they pour Coca Cola just like vintage wine

Now, I try hard not to become hysterical

But I'm not sure if I am laughing or crying

[Bridge]

I wish that I could push a button

And talk in the past and not the present tense

And watch this hurting feeling disappear

Like it was common sense

[Chorus]

It was a fine idea at the time

Now it's a brilliant mistake

[Verse 2]

She said that she was working for the ABC News

It was as much of the alphabet as she knew how to use

Her perfume was unspeakable—it lingered in the air

Like her artificial laughter, her mementos of affairs

[Bridge]

"Oh," I said, "I see you know him—

Isn't that very fortunate for you?"

And she showed me his calling card

He came third or fourth, and there were more than one or two

[Chorus]

He was a fine idea at the time

Now he's a brilliant mistake

[Verse 3]

He thought he was the king of America

But it was just a boulevard of broken dreams

A trick they do with mirrors and with chemicals

The words of love in whispers and the axe of love in screams

[Bridge]

I wish that I could push a button

And talk in the past and not the present tense

And watch this loving feeling disappear

Like it was common sense

[Chorus]

I was a fine idea at the time

Now I'm a brilliant mistake