Well they paved the road to Hollywood with promises and lies
And the men has been to once look good and girls with empty eyes
With rhinestone cowboys and wooden Indians everywhere you turn
Well I could write a book on the roads I took
And the lessons that I learned

I'd rather be a rodeo clown
Than a burnt out rhinestone cowboy in a two bit tinsel town
I'd rather help somebody up than put somebody down
I'd rather be a rodeo clown

It was nineteen sixty-six when I finally hit LA
I was living on dreams and swizzle sticks and kinda stumbling on my way
But the good Lord looks after fools and drunks and I finally found the sun
But I had only won the battle Lord the war had just begun

I'd rather be a rodeo clown
Than a burnt out rhinestone cowboy in a two bit tinsel town
I'd rather pick somebody up than kick 'em while they're down
Well I like to see you when you laugh but I love when we cry
I will tear your IOU's in half if you'll just look me in the eye
Cause truth and love and loyalty are the only things worth while
And I'd trade this whole damn town away for just one honest smile

I'd rather be a rodeo clown
Than a burnt out rhinestone cowboy in a two bit tinsel town
I'd rather make somebody laugh than make somebody frown
Lord I'd rather be a rodeo clown