The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #61981   Message #999254
Posted By: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca
08-Aug-03 - 11:11 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: You Don't Know Me (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
Subject: Lyr Add: YOU DON'T KNOW ME (I'M THE OPENING ACT)
Google's Cache gives us this file from http://www.johnejennings.com/4chapin/chlyr/openact.html.

This is MCC's famous performance at the 1990 CMA awards which got her a standing ovation. Then there's the other version...

Opening Act

You don't have a backstage room of your own.
You just have feedback in your microphone
'Cause you didn't get a soundcheck 'cause you're not worth the time.
You're going to have to face it: you're no better than slime.
You don't know me. I'm the opening act.

Now, I don't have a hit on the Billboard charts.
I don't have a limousine that stretches three blocks
Ready to take me from door to door
Just like that jackass I'm opening for.
He doesn't know me. I'm his opening act.

Now, I'm not going bald, so I don't wear a hat
And tight jeans don't fit me; I'm a little too fat.
I can't afford little jackets that are covered with stones,
So I don't expect you'll like me, but that's how it goes.

Now for 37 minutes I sang out my heart.
I was so darn nervous, I just wanted to barf.
But this is my career and I'm paying my dues,
And if I ever get rich and famous, I guess I'll be a jackass too.
Till then, you don't know me. I'm the opening act.

This one is the, uh, more BLUNT version of the song that she sang in concert

You don't have a backstage room of your own.
You just have feedback in your microphone.
'Cause you don't get a soundcheck 'cause you're not worth the time.
You're gonna have to face it: you're no better than slime.
You don't know me. I'm the opening act.

There's a cold cut platter and beer for the crew.
Don't get the impression that there's any for you,
'Cause you're at the bottom of the pecking order.
Even the bouncer at the door comes before you.
You don't know me. I'm the opening act.

The right attitude will get me such a long way.
An optimistic view will make it OK.
When some fool in the front row yells, "YOU SUCK!"
I'll thank him profusely and get ready to duck.

I don't have a hit in the Billboard charts.
I don't have a limousine that stretches three blocks
Ready to take me from door to door
Just like that asshole I'm opening for.
He doesn't know me. I'm his opening act.

Now I'm not going far so I don't wear a hat.
Tight jeans don't fit me; I'm a little too fat.
I can't sing like a frog blowing farts through his nose,
So I don't expect you'll like me, but that's how it goes.

Now for 37 minutes I'll sing out my heart.
I was so damn nervous I just wanted to barf.
This is my career and I'm paying my dues.
And if I ever get rich and famous, I guess I'll be an asshole too.
'Till then, you don't know me. I'm the opening act.