what you own - rent

don't breathe too deep, don't think all day.
dive in to work, drive the other way.
that drip of hurt, that pint of shame,
goes away, just play the game.

you're living in america,
at the the of the millenium.
you're living in america,
leave your conscience at the tone.
and when you're living in america,
at the end of the millenium,
you're what you own.

the film-maker cannot see.
and the songwriter cannot hear.
yet i see mimi everywhere.
angels voice is in my ear.

just tighten those shoulders.
just clench your jaw till you frown.
just don't let go or you may drown.

you're living in america,
at the end of the millenium.
you're living in america,
where it's like the twilight zone.
and when you're living in america,
at the end of the millenium...
you're what you own.

so i own not a notion.
i escape and ape, content.
i don't own emotion.
i rent.

what was it about that night?
connection in an isolating age.
for once the shadows gave way to light.
for once i didn't disengage.

angel, i hear you. i hear it, i see it, i see it--my film.
(mimi, i see you. i hear it, i hear it, i hear it--my song.)

[spoken:] alexi, mark. call me a hypocrite. i need to finish my own film. i quit!
([sung:] one song glory. mimi, your eyes!)

dying in america,
at the end of the millenium.
we're dying in america,
to come into your own.
and when you're dying in america,
at the end of the millenium...
you're not alone.
i'm not alone.