Johnny wanted to be an image on the T.V. Livin' it up in the city Every night night on the town He threw the dice down Playin' it up to the crowd When he sang to the company man He got better with every line When it came to the name of the game Nobody was playing in time Johnny you gotta get streetwise Sha-la-la-la-la-la Johnny you gotta get streetwise Sha-la-la-la-la-la Johnny always wanted to be a pretender Signing a deal to forever Playing all night But it wouldn't come right He just couldn't get it together Shooting up with the rest of the band In the room of a lost motel Is it gonna get better tomorrow? Well Johnny, you never can tell Johnny you gotta get streetwise Sha-la-la-la-la-la Johnny you gotta get streetwise Sha-la-la-la-la-la