I Am A Professional

Another night on Fairfax

Keeping a drink warm for a friend

This is beginning to feel like my home

Trying to pull my hair back

Watching the kids pile up and in

Like we're the only ones who came here alone

But none of this concerns you

You've got a job to do, you need no one to

Protect you from this Babylon's charms

The city lights can't burn you

Not with the state your freight's been in

And easy men like me can do you no harm

'Cause I am a professional

I hide behind this old guitar like it's a business card

And nothing that I say is for real

This is my confessional

You know that I've been in this game so long

That I've felt everything there is to feel

Another night on Sunset

Keeping a girl warm for a friend

This is beginning to feel like my life

She was getting upset

Watching the way I played my friends

'Til I convinced her everything was alright

But you would rise above this

You'd see my tricks for what they are in this disgusting bar

And leave before I knew that you'd came

We tell ourselves we love this

Chasing away the empty space

When it's the only thing that's keeping me sane

'Cause I am a professional

I hide behind this old guitar like it's a business card

And nothing that I say is for real

This is my confessional

You know that I've been in this game so long

That I've felt everything there is to feel

So call me what you will

I'm sure you've had your fill of people just like me

Who say, "I don't even know you, but I sure could use a love like yours"

Keep playing your chords

'Til they feel like they're chores

And sometimes a stage feels just like a cage

And you can't tell if someone's trying to fence you in

Or if they're trying to protect you from what's out there

And you don't know if you want to know what's out there

'Cause we are all professionals