I stood stone-like at midnight suspended in my masquerade I combed my hair till it was just right and commanded the night brigade I was open to pain and crossed by the rain and I walked on a crooked crutch I strolled all alone through a fallout zone and come out with my soul untouched I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd but when they said "Sit down," I stood up. Ooh... growin' up The flag of piracy flew from my mast, my sails were set wing to wing I had a jukebox graduate for first mate, she couldn't sail but she sure could sing, I pushed B-52 and bombed 'em with the blues with my gear set stubborn on standing I broke all the rules, strafed my old high school, never once gave thought to landing, I hid in the clouded warmth of the crowd but when they said, "Come down," I threw up, Ooh... growin' up. I took month-long vacations in the stratosphere and you know it's really hard to hold your breath. I swear I lost everything I ever loved or feared, I was the cosmic kid in full costume dress, Well, my feet they finally took root in the earth but I got me a nice little place in the stars And I swear I found the key to the universe in the engine of an old parked car I hid in the mother breast of the crowd but when they said, "Pull down," I pulled up Ooh... growin' up. Ooh... growin' up