Written by John Mellencamp

Well I've lived and breathed and been disbelieved
in these small town streets too long
I've been up with the winners and down with the sinners

And hung on this corner 'til dawn
And my hands they have been tied
To a life I've been denied
I'm just a small town boy bein' used like a toy
And workin' from nine to five

By the end of the day, all the kids would go play
And I'd come staggering home
With a dream in my hand and a master plan
That wouln't leave my mind alone
I compromised all my schemes
And flucturated all my dreams
I'm just a small town boy bein' used like a toy
And nothing is like it really seems

(bridge)

But you must believe that when I walk down the tracks
The young girls fall back and say
There goes that sleek young silhouette
He don't drive no Corvette
But he stings just like a Sting Ray
And that's my only redemption in this house of detention
That keeps me from simply blowin' it all away
'Cause when I walk down the street in the hot summer heat
I say, God don't take this away

I keep hopin' and wishin' that these romantic positions
Gonna help me hide my pain
And all the hurt that I've felt underneath my leather studded belt
Of not finding fortune and fame
But some day I'll blow 'em away with the things that I may sing and
might say
I'm just a small town boy bein' used like a toy
And waitin' for my pay dirt day

I'm just a small town boy bein' used like a toy
And waitin' for my pay day