He took a ride on the bus today
He knew the risk he was running
And sure enough there’s a billboard sign
Her giant smile so stunning

That fifty-foot face
It’s so familiar to him
He used to see it
Lying in in his bed with him

Now she is a star
Watch her ascend
He knew her when she was way back when
She’s up in the stratosphere
He’s still here

On TV screens and magazines
She stares at him from the cover
And who’d believe once upon a time
This goddess once was his lover?

Now, now she’s an icon
As big a name as can be
He had the real girl
The rest just see their fantasy

Now she is a star
Watch her ascend
He knew her when they were way back when
Now she’s in the stratosphere
He’s still here

Now that she’s a star
See her ascend
He’s the one who knew her way back when

And he thinks what could have been
As mem’ries stir
For the thing that really stings
Is that he left her

She’s up there while he
Is still right here.