When a drummer is engaged in his profession (his profession)
In a studio performances must be clean (must be clean)
If the slightest error interrupts a session (In the session)
His tracks are just replaced with a machine (drum machine

When a man who plays electric bass is hired (barely hired)
Cause he is the greatest artist in his band (in the land)
He will have to pack his amp when he is fired (and retired)
For the keys guy can play it with his left hand (his left hand)

When this age of high-tech gizmos robs the fun, robs the fun
A musician's lot is not a happy one.

When guitarists go to play where crowds are hopping (crowds are hopping)
They bring along a flange and phase and fuzz (phase and fuzz)
And they crank it up till eardrums are a-popping (are a-popping)
If they can't play, hope the fans have a good buzz (drunken buzz)

When a really awful singer does her singing (awful singing)
In the old days she'd be boo'd right off the stage (off the stage)
Out in TV land cash registers are ringing (boy they're ringing)
For watching people suck is all the rage (all the rage)

When this age of barely playing robs the fun, robs the fun
A musician's lot is not a happy one.