When you're growing up in a small town
when you're growing up in a small town
when you're growing up in a small town
you say, no one famous ever came from here

When you're growing up in a small town
and you're having a nervous breakdown
and you think that you'll never escape it
yourself or the place that you live

Where did [bad word] from
there's no [bad word] from Pittsburgh
if art is the tip of the iceberg
I'm the part sinking below

When you're growing up in a small town
bad skin, bad eyes, [bad word] and fatty
people look at you funny
when you're in a small town

My father worked in [bad word] 
it's not something for which I'm suited
oh, what is something for which you are suited
getting out of here I hate being odd in a small town
if they stare let them stare in New York City
as this pink eyed painting albino
how far can my fantasy go

I'm no [bad word] from Pittsburgh
no adorable lisping Capote
my hero, oh, do you think I could meet him
I'd camp out at his front door

There is only one good thing about small town
there is only one good use for a small town
there is only one good thing about small town
you know that you want to get out

When you're growing up in a small town
you know you'll grow down in a small town
there is only one good use for a small town

You hate it and you'll know you have to leave