Benny Andersson, Tim Rice, and Bjorn Ulvaeus
MOLOKOV:
The man is utterly mad -- you`re playing a lunatic --
THE RUSSIAN:
That`s the problem. He`s a brilliant lunatic and you can`t
tell
which way
he`ll jump -- like his game he`s impossible to analyse --
you
can`t dissect
him, predict him -- which of course means he`s not a
lunatic at
all.
MOLOKOV:
What we`ve just seen`s a pathetic display
From a man who`s beginning to crack
He`s afraid
He knows he isn`t the player he was
And he won`t get it back
THE RUSSIAN:
Nonsense!
Why do my seconds
Always want to believe
Third-rate propaganda --
MOLOKOV:
My friend, please relax
We`re all on your side
You know how you need us --
THE RUSSIAN:
I don`t need my army of so-called `advisors`
And helpers to tell me
The man who`s revitalised chess single-handed
Is more or less out of his brain
When it`s very clear
He`s sane
MOLOKOV:
Listen, we don`t underestimate anyone
We won`t get caught in that trap
After all, winning or losing reflects on us all --
THE RUSSIAN:
Oh don`t give me that crap!
I win -- no one else does
And I take the rap if I lose
MOLOKOV:
It`s not quite that simple
The whole world`s tuned in
We`re all on display
We`re not merely sportsmen --
THE RUSSIAN:
Oh please don`t start spouting that old party line
Yes I know it`s your job but
Just get out and get me a chess-playing second
In thirty-six hours we begin
That is if you want to win!
Who needs a dream?
Who needs ambition?
Who`d be the fool
In my position?
Once I had dreams
Now they`re obsessions
Hopes became needs
Lovers possessions
Then they move in
Oh so discreetly
Slowly at first
Smiling too sweetly
I opened doors
They walked right through them
Called me their friend
I hardly knew them
Now I`m where I want to be and who I want to be and
doing what I
always said I would and yet I feel I haven`t won at all
Running for my life and never looking back in case
there`s someone
right behind to shoot me down and say he always knew
I`d fall.
When the crazy wheel slows down
Where will I be? Back where I started.
Don`t get me wrong
I`m not complaining
Times have been good
Fast, entertaining
But what`s the point
If I`m concealing
Not only love
All other feeling.
Now I`m where I want to be and who I want to be and
doing what I
always said I would and yet I feel I haven`t won at all
Running for my life and never looking back in case
there`s someone
right behind to shoot me down and say he always knew
I`d fall
When the crazy wheel slows down
Where will I be? Back where I started.
