Graduated yesterday now who's the fool Got some real estate and sent the kids to fancy schools Sold the rings and got a brand new cabriolet And on your last business trip you drove it to L.A Patiently deciding If there's better timing While the moment slips away Now I hear you say Livin' the life then it's all over Such a surprise to lose When you're playing strictly by the rules Now that the kids are getting older You've got nothing to lose Singin' the blues Strictly by the rules Better safe than sorry, ain't that what you said Now you're back in college for a class in special ed Life ain't what it used to be, but you're the same It's such a shame that they address you by your father's name Patiently deciding If there's better timing While the moment slips away Now I hear you say Livin' the life then it's all over Such a surprise to lose When you're playing strictly by the rules Now that the kids are getting older You've got nothing to lose Singin' the blues Strictly by the rules Livin' the life then it's all over Such a surprise to lose When you're playing strictly by the rules Now that the kids are getting older You've got nothing to lose Singin' the blues When you're playing strictly by the rules