Spent some time feeling inferior
Standing in front of my mirror
Combed my hair in a thousand ways
But I came out looking just the same

Daddy said, "Son, you better see the world
I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to leave
But remember one thing, don't lose your head
To a woman that'll spend your bread"
So I got out, whoo

Paris was a place you could hide away
If you felt you didn't fit in
The French police wouldn't give me no peace
They claimed I was a nasty person

Down along the Left Bank, minding my own, whoo
Was knocked down by a human stampede
Got arrested for inciting a peaceful riot
When all I wanted was a cup of tea
I was accused, whoo

I moved on
Down in Rome, I wasn't getting enough
Of the things that keep a young man alive
My body stunk, but I kept my funk, whoo
At a time when I was right outta luck

Getting desperate, indeed I was, yeah
Looking like a tourist attraction
Oh, my dear, I better get outta here
For the Vatican don't give no sanction
I wasn't ready for that, no, no

I moved right out east, yeah
Listen
On the Peeking ferry, I was feeling merry
Sailing on my way back here
I fell in love with a slit-eyed lady
By the light of an eastern moon

Shanghai Lil never used the pill
She claimed that it just ain't natural
She took me up on deck and bit my neck
Oh, people, I was glad I found her
Oh, yes, I was glad I found her, whoo-hoo

Wait a minute
I firmly believed that I
Didn't need anyone but me
I sincerely thought I was so complete
Look how wrong you can be

The women I've known I wouldn't let tie my shoe
They wouldn't give you the time of day
But the slit-eyed lady knocked me off my feet
God, I was glad I found her

And if they have the words I can tell to you
To help you on the way down the road
I couldn't quote you no Dickens, Shelley or Keats
'Cause it's all been said before
Make the best out of the bad, just laugh it off, ha
You didn't have to come here anyway

So, remember, every picture tells a story, don't it?
Every picture tells a story, don't it?
Every picture tells a story, don't it? Whoo
Every picture tells a story, don't it?

Every picture tells a story, don't it? Whoo
Every picture tells a story, don't it?
Every picture tells a story, don't it?
Every picture tells a story, don't it?
Every picture tells a story, don't it?

Every picture tells a story, don't it?
Every picture tells a story, don't it?
Every picture tells a story, don't it?
Every picture tells a story, don't it?
Every picture tells a story, don't it?

Every picture tells a story, don't it? Whoo
Every picture tells a story, don't it? Whoo
Every picture tells a story, don't it? Whoo
Every picture tells a story, don't it? Whoo
Every picture tells a story, don't it? Whoo

Every picture tells a story, don't it?
Every picture tells a story, don't it?
Every picture tells a story, don't it?
Every picture tells a story, don't it?