When I was a hitchhiker on the road
I had to count on you
But you needed me to ease the load
And for conversation too
Or judge you, just pass on through

You didn't see me in Toronto
When I first tried out some hash
Smoked through a pen and I'd do it again
But I didn't have the cash
I didn't have the cash

Then I tried amphetamines
And my head was in a glass
Taped underneath the speedometer wires of my '48 Buick's dash
But I knew that wouldn't last

Then came California
When I first saw open water
In the land of opportunity
I knew I was getting hotter
I knew I was getting hotter

But the neon lights and the endless nights
Fame took me by surprise
The doctor gave me Valium
But I still couldn't close my eyes
I still couldn't close my eyes

Then came paranoia
And it ran away with me
I would not sign my autograph
Or appear on TV
Or see or be seen

Living in the country
Looked good to me
Smoking grass while the summer passed in the real organic sea
Where everything was green

Then we had a kid and we split apart
I was living on the road
And a little cocaine went a long, long way
To ease that different load
And my head did explode
My head did explode

I thought I was an Aztec
Or a runner in Peru
I could build such beautiful buildings
To house the chosen few
Like an Inca from Peru

How many years have come and gone
Like friends and enemies
I tried to leave my past behind
But it's catching up with me
It's catching up with me

I don't know how I'm standin' here
Livin' in my life
I'm thankful for my children
And my faithful wife

Copyright: WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Writer(s): Neil Young