You're doing everything your people said to   I'd hate to be the one to break it to you   It's only sad 'cause it's true   They misled you when they bred you      Somebody said some things they have no right to   Somehow it stuck and you were known as someone who   Could simply not follow through if they have to   But you have to, don't you?      You don't have to be a genius   But it helps to, it helps to   Fools and charlatans, since they may get wise   But only cream and bastards rise   Yeah, you can see it in their eyes      You follow good advices to the letter   You know your friend   He's doing so much better than you   Are ever likely to do, he'll eclipse you   But he will not miss you      You don't have to be a genius   But it helps to, it helps to   All the also-rans are real nice guys   But only cream and bastards rise      People who could buy and sell you   Sharing a joke that they will never tell you   You think you're dialed in, someone has to win   And you know what that means   That means someone's got to lose   It's probably you, oh, it's probably you, oh      It's not a race, it's not a competition   And if it were, you'd be in no position   To get them to listen to you if you had to   Not even if your life depended on it      You don't have to be a genius   But it helps to, it helps to   Some are aliens, the rest are spies   But only cream and bastards rise   Yeah, you can see it in their eye