Price of Fame

Whispers, murmurs, hints and lies
listen how the secrets fly
Things undone will be thought true
when the gossip crowd is through with you

Bad news travels fast, they say
when cat's away, the rats will play
Mud they throw will stick like glue
when the gossip crowd is down on you

Don't rush to make the TV scene
or strive to be a movie queen
Your private life will all be through
when the gossip crowd is watching you

Beasts that walk and slime that crawls
supposed friends will tell it all
Your private self will be on view
when the gossip crowd is on to you

You cannot hide, or fly away
their scrutiny's the price you pay
The lust for dirt can't be subdued
once the gossip crowd gets wind of you

c. 9/8/88, B. Riley