Logically appraise the situation Sizing-up the ones who'll do you good Realize it's not merely position That gets you to the top that's understood (chorus) You can't live with yourself So live off someone else You say your one of us But you're really one of them So don't pretend - social contender This rule by ladders hazardous ascent Your path is strewn with others who have bent Ambition hides from view those who are falling Convince yourself you'll not be like those crawling Laughing in the face of their distress Believing they're impressed with your success You'll find out the street you travel narrows Poisoned by the edge of social arrows Social contender, social pretender, social defender