[Verse]
Born with a crack in the earth and a howl in the sky
Dust in his veins fire in his eye
A mother's prayer a father's sigh
Empty pockets but dreams won't die
[Chorus]
King of rock and roll they called his name
A blazing comet in the hall of fame
But the crown of ashes can't be worn too long
Glory fades when the road turns wrong
[Verse 2]
Shook the world with a hip's defiance
Built a kingdom on rhythm and silence
Golden palaces crumbled in violence
The pills the pills they whispered compliance
[Prechorus]
The lights dimmed the echoes stayed
The man beneath began to fade
[Chorus]
King of rock and roll they called his name
A blazing comet in the hall of fame
But the crown of ashes can't be worn too long
Glory fades when the road turns wrong
[Bridge]
Forty-two winters and the fire burned out
The screams of the crowd turned into doubt
A gilded cage a heart worn thin
The king fell silent the dark crept in