Brilliant Mistake

He thought he was the King of America
 Where they pour Coca Cola just like vintage wine
 Now I try hard not to become hysterical
 But I'm not sure if I am laughing or crying
 I wish that I could push a button
 And talk in the past and not the present tense
 And watch this hurtin' feeling
 Disappear like it was common sense
 It was a fine idea at the time
 Now it's a brilliant mistake
 She said that she was working for the ABC News
 It was as much of the alphabet as she knew how to use
 Her perfume was unspeakable, it lingered in the air
 Like her artificial laughter, her mementos of affairs
 "Oh", I said, "I see you know him
 Isn't that very fortunate for you?"
 And she showed me his calling card
 He came third or fourth and there were more than one or two
 He was a fine idea at this time
 Now he's a brilliant mistake
 He thought he was the King of America
 But it was just a boulevard of broken dreams
 A trick they do with mirrors and with chemicals
 The words of love in whispers and the acts of love in screams
 I wish that I could push a button
 And talk in the past and not the present tense
 And watch this lovin' feeling
 Disappear like it was common sense
 I was a fine idea at the time
 Now I'm a brilliant mistake
 I was a fine idea at the time
 Now I'm a brilliant mistake