You fought your way to an inch of freedom
You looked around but it wasn't there
You can't ignore the voice of reason

"You can't be what you want, so you better be what you are"

You fought your way to an inch of freedom
You did your best and they didn't care
You've had your share and you have your reasons

"You can't be what you want, so you better be what you are"

So we begin our story
Beleaguered and taken down
Everybody wants a piece of what's going on
Afraid you'll become dull and boring
In a suit that doesn't fit
Everybody wants a piece of what's going on

You can't mean what you said
You're not sorry for a word of it
Everybody wants to get ahead
Now it's not too late to say you're sorry

You're alright
The Compromise

You've backed yourself into a corner
You looked around and it wasn't there
You're such a sucker for superstition

You can't be what you are
So you better be what you want