I Knew You Before

You were once a sweet little girl

So innocent and pure

And your eyes were open and sure

Anyone could look right in

And I followed closely your gaze

You looked up towards the sky

And I watched your face drift away

Other things had caught your eye

Oh, the magazines and media supplied you with their plastic protocol

Oh, and maybe music television really is the Devil after all

But all I can say is, "I knew you before, you were beautiful back then

Before you grew up, before you gave in"

You dream of sharin' your heart

Instead, you share your bed

And your heart beats empty and cold

With all the tears that you have shed

And you dream of barin' your soul

Instead, you bare more skin

And you wear dark glasses to keep

Anyone from lookin' in

Oh, the magazines and media supplied you with their plastic protocol

Oh, and maybe music television really is the Devil after all

But all I can say is, "I knew you before, you were beautiful back then

Before you grew up, before you gave in"

And all you want is to hear the words, "Dear baby, I love you"

So you hike your skirt higher still 'til their eyes are all on you

You drive in fast foreign cars, the color of your sin

And you tint your windows to keep anyone from lookin' in

Oh, and all I can say, "I knew you before, you were beautiful back then

Before you grew up, before you gave in"

And all I can say is, "I knew you before, you were beautiful back then

You could be beautiful again"