Context & Lyrics
A fictional version of Jonathan Larson has conflicted feelings about turning 30 years old.
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Stop the clock
Take time out
Time to regroup
Before you lose the bout
Freeze the frame
Back it up
Time to refocus
Before they wrap it up
Years are getting shorter
Lines on your face are getting longer
Feel like you’re treading water
But the riptide’s getting stronger
Don’t panic, don’t jump ship
Can’t find it, like taxes
At least it happens
Only once in your life
They’re singing, “Happy Birthday”
You just wanna lay down and cry
Not just another birthday, it’s 30/90
Why can’t you stay 29?
Hell, you still feel like you’re 22
Turn 30, 1990
Bang! You’re dead, what can you do?
What can you do?
What can you do?
MICHAEL
Clear the runway
Make another pass
Try one more approach
Before you’re out of gas
JONATHAN
Friends are getting fatter
Hairs on you head are getting thinner
Feel like a clean up batter
On a team that ain’t a winner
MICHAEL
Don’t freak out, don’t strike out
Can’t fight it, like City Hall
JONATHAN
Your friends are there, too
BOTH
They’re singing, “Happy Birthday”
You just wish you could run away
Who cares about a birthday?
But 30/90, hey
Can’t you be optimistic?
You’re no longer the ingenue
Turn 30, 1990
Voom! You’re passe
What can you do?
What can you do?
What can you do?
JONATHAN
Emerald City’s gone to hell
Since the Wizard blew off his command
On the streets you hear the voices
Lost children, crocodiles
But you’re not into
Making choices, wicked witches,
Poppy fields or men behind the curtains, Tiger lilies,
They’re singing, “Happy Birthday”
I just wish it all were a dream
It feels much more like Doomsday
f**k, 30/90
Seems like I’m in for a twister
I don’t see a rainbow, do you?
Turn 30 in the 90’s
Into my hands now
The ball is passed
I want the spoils, but not too fast
The world is calling
It’s now or Neverland
Why can’t I stay a child forever and –
30/90
30/90
30/90
30/90
30/90
30-30/90
What can I do?
What can I do?
