He thought he was the King of America    Where they pour Coca Cola just like vintage wine    Now I try hard not to become hysterical    But I'm not sure if I am laughing or crying    I wish that I could push a button    And talk in the past and not the present tense    And watch this hurtin' feeling disappear    Like it was common sense    It was a fine idea at the time    Now it's a brilliant mistake    She said that she was working for the ABC News    It was as much of the alphabet as she knew how to use    Her perfume was unspeakable    It lingered in the air    Like her artificial laughter    Her mementos of affairs    "Oh" I said "I see you know him"    "Isn't that very fortunate for you"    And she showed me his calling card    He came third or fourth and there were more than one or two    He was a fine idea at the time    Now he's a brilliant mistake       He thought he was the King of America    But it was just a boulevard of broken dreams    A trick they do with mirrors and with chemicals    The words of love in whispers    And the axe of love in screams    I wish that I could push a button    And talk in the past and not the present tense    And watch this lovin' feeling disappear    Like it was common sense    I was a fine idea at the time    Now I'm a brilliant mistake