Miracles - Matt Nathanson

They built a hero out of expectations

and what a hopeless hero was he with sticks for legs he shook when the wind blew,

even slightly

and he welcomed the smiles, he welcomed the applause

and he hoped that they’d never forget

just who they thought he was

they dressed him up in rich man’s clothes

and told him he was beautiful

then they expected miracles

His parents were pleased they went to all the parties

he was groomed for greatness from the time he was young

raised on a diet of television

he was taught to listen, kept dumb

and he welcomed desire and reckless luxury

and the world soaked up every drop of drama and insecurity

they dressed him up in rich man’s clothes

and told him he was beautiful

then they expected miracles

and then one day his admirers just quit him

they packed up their paint and were gone

and he stood alone,

their beautiful disaster,

wondering were he’d gone wrong

and he wanted the smiles and he wanted the applause

but no one would look him in the eye now,

no one returned his calls

they dressed him up in rich man’s clothes

and told him he was beautiful

then they expected miracles