I've been walkin' these streets so long

Singin' the same old song

I know every crack in these dirty sidewalks of Broadway

Where hustle's the name of the game

And nice guys get washed away like the snow in the rain

There's been a load of compromising

Getting cards and letters from people I don't even know

Well, I really don't mind the rain

And the smile can hide all the pain

But you're down when you're ridin' the train that's takin' the long way

And I dream of the things I'll do

With a subway token and a dollar tucked inside my shoe

There'll be a load of compromisin'

Rhinestone cowboy

Like a rhinestone cowboy