Hitchhiker

When I was a hitchhiker on the road

I had to count on you

But you needed me to ease the load

And for conversation too

Or judge you, just pass on through.

You didn't see me in Toronto

When I first tried out some hash

Smoked through a pen and I'd do it again

But I didn't have the cash

I didn't have the cash

Then I tried amphetamines

And my head was in a glass

Taped underneath the speedometer wires

Of my '48 Buick's dash.

But I knew that wouldn't last.

Then came California

When I first saw open water

In the land of opportunity

I knew I was getting hotter

I knew I was getting hotter.

But the neon lights

And the endless nights

Fame took me by surprise

The doctor gave me Valium

But I still couldn't close my eyes

I still couldn't close my eyes.

Then came paranoia

And it ran away with me

I would not sign my autograph

Or appear on TV

Or see or be seen

Living in the country

Looked good to me

Smoking grass while the summer passed

In the real organic sea

Where everything was green

Then we had a kid and we split apart

I was living on the road

And a little cocaine went a long, long way

To ease that different load

And my head did explode

My head did explode.

I thought I was an Aztec

Or a runner in Peru

I could build such beautiful buildings

To house the chosen few

Like an Inca from Peru.

How many years have come and gone

Like friends and enemies

I tried leave my past behind

But it's catching up with me

It's catching up with me

I don't know how I'm standin' here

Livin' in my life

I'm thankful for my children

And my faithful wife