I am the entertainer

And I know just where I stand

Another serenader

In another traveling band

Today, I am your champion

And I may have won your hearts

But I know the game, you'll forget my name

And I won't be here in another year

If I don't stay on the charts

I am the entertainer

And I've had to pay my price

The things I did not know at first

I learned by doin' twice

Ah, but still they come to haunt me

Still they want their say

So I've learned to dance with a hand in my pants

Let 'em rub my neck, and I write 'em a check

And they go their merry way, oh

I am the entertainer

I've been all around the world

I've played all kinds of palaces

Not bad for a country girl

I can't remember faces

And I don't remember names

Ah, but what the hell, it's just as well

'Cause after a while and a thousand miles

It all becomes the same

Doo

It all becomes the same

Doo

I am the entertainer

And I bring to you my songs

I'd like to spend a day or two

But I can't stay that long

No, I've got to meet expenses

I got to stay in line

Gotta get those fees to the agencies

And I'd love to stay but there's bills to pay

So I just don't have the time, ooh

Yes, I am the entertainer

And I come to do my show

You've heard my latest record

It's been on the radio

Oh, it took me years to write it

They were the best years of my life

It was a beautiful song, but it ran too long

And if you're gonna have a hit you gotta make it fit

So they cut it down to 3: 05

And that hurt me

Just 3: 05

I am the entertainer (The entertainer)

The idol of my age

I make all kinds of money

When I go on the stage

Ah, you've seen me in the papers

I've been in the magazines

But if I go cold, I won't get sold

I'll get put in the back in the discount rack

Like another can of beans, oh

I am the entertainer

And I know just where I stand

Another serenader

In another long-haired band

Today, I am your champion

I may have won your hearts

But I know the game, you'll forget my name

And I won't be here in another year

If I don't stay on the charts

The entertainer

Ooh

The entertainer

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

The entertainer

Ooh

I am the entertainer

I bring to you my songs

I'd like to spend a day or two

But I can't stay that long