The Grand Illusion

I know some of you guys like your philosophy like day old french bread: old, hard and crusty.
I've studied a few of those fellows also. I like to dabble out of the mainstream occasionally though. I particularly like those who occasionally rhyme their words and/or set them to music. The philosopher featured today is Dennis DeYoung, formerly of the band Styx.
In case you've never heard the song below, it happens to have a really cool synth part which adds a particularly carnival like atmosphere to the song. The meaning is pretty obvious from the lyrics. I find that reading the words without the distraction of the music can lead me to a whole new level of appreciation for a well written song.

The Grand Illusion

Welcome to the grand illusion
Come on in and see what’s happening
Pay the price, get your tickets for the show
The stage is set, the band starts playing
Suddenly your heart is pounding
Wishing secretly you were a star.

But don’t be fooled by the radio
The tv or the magazines
They show you photographs of how your life should be
But they’re just someone else’s fantasy
So if you think your life is complete confusion
Because you never win the game
Just remember that it’s a grand illusion
And deep inside we’re all the same.
We’re all the same...

So if you think your life is complete confusion
Because your neighbors got it made
Just remember that it’s a grand illusion
And deep inside we’re all the same.
We’re all the same...

America spells competition, join us in our blind ambition
Get yourself a brand new motor car
Someday soon we’ll stop to ponder what on earth’s this spell we’re under
We made the grade and still we wonder who the hell we are

Dennis DeYoung