lost in the game

i may never have been as happy
as when i was lost in the game
working extra hours and going to school
there was no time for any pain
there was no time for the sorrow
that comes from thinking of what's wrong
that comes from thinking of what's missing
that comes from wondering where you belong
but that takes time to think about life
maybe it's better to be so busy living
that you don't have time to think about life
that is when memory is most forgiving

was i influenced by the spector
of the goal everyone calls success
was i overwhelmed by the pressure
of not making life a big mess
was i taken in by responsibility
is that what growing up is about
under the influence of the influenced
the ones who seem to be without a doubt

I may never have been as happy
as when i was so ignorant
that i forgot what i was doing
and just did it, emanuel kant
when i came to believe in can't
can't rock the boat
can't be free
can't follow dreams
can't be me
can't stop running
can't leave the race
can't waste time on
dreams
i must have replaced
dreams
with a smiley face

was i influenced by the spector
of the goal everyone calls success
was i overwhelmed by the pressure
of not making life a big mess
was i taken in by responsibility
is that what growing up is about
under the influence of the influenced
the ones who seem to be without a doubt

and even if it's just a mask
the pretense is success
and maybe that's the true secret
to peace and happiness

I may never have been so happy
as when i was lost in the game
(fade out)