LIFESTYLES OF THE NOT SO RICH AND FAMOUS

(Byron Hill & Wayne Tester)

Recorded by Tracy Byrd, MCA Records, 1994

Wayne Tester walked in one day for a writing meeting and he unfolded a church program from the previous Sunday's service. The theme had something to do with "lifestyles of the rich but not so famous" or some similar slant on the title of the TV show. Wayne wanted to write the idea with me.  I came up with a better twist, changed the title, and we were up and running with what would become one of the biggest hits of Tracy Byrd's career.  Wayne is a piano guy and I remember telling him that we should write it on guitar. While writing I would see him leaning over towards the keys during out rough run-downs of the song.  I would shake my head "no" and he would go back to slapping his knees or whatever.  We both leaned heavily on our Carolina roots for this one.  Wayne is from Blowing Rock, NC.  Though neither of us grew up with cars on blocks in our yards, we both knew people who did.  I've never seen any "Elvis TV trays" either, but I could sure use some to match my velvet Elvis painting!

[LISTEN TO A SAMPLE OF TRACY BYRD'S VERSION]

LIFESTYLES OF THE NOT SO RICH AND FAMOUS (Hill/Tester)

HONEY THEY’RE BRINGIN' OUT A TV CREW

THEY WANT TO DO A STORY BOUT ME AND YOU

THEY’LL BE STRINGIN’ UP BRIGHT LIGHTS IN THE BACK YARD

WITH CAMERAS ON THEIR SHOULDERS WE'LL BE READING CUE CARDS

LEAVE THEM LONG JOHNS ON THE LINE

IF THE KIDS LOOK DIRTY THAT'LL BE JUST FINE

THEY'RE GONNA PUT US ON

LIFESTYLES OF THE NOT SO RICH AND FAMOUS

THEY WANT TO SEE US GO HOG WILD OVER BEANS AND BAR-B-QUE

THEY WANT TO SEE OUR FAIRLANE UP ON BLOCKS

THE HOLES IN ALL OUR SOCKS

TALKIN' BOUT LIFESTYLES OF THE NOT SO RICH AND FAMOUS

WE'LL TELL EM BOUT YOUR MAMA AND THE BOWLING LEAGUE

TELL EM BOUT JUNIOR AND HIS BASEBALL TEAM

I’LL SHOW 'EM MY NINE POINT BUCK ON THE WALL

I’LL BLOW A FEW TIMES ON MY NEW DUCK CALL

LET 'EM SEE OL' BLUE HOW HE SLEEPS ALL DAY

WE’LL BRING OUT THE ELVIS TV TRAYS

THEY'RE GONNA PUT US ON

(REPEAT CHORUS)

YEA OUR IDEA OF HIGH CLASS LIVIN'

IS SITTIN' ON THE PORCH IN THE MOONLIGHT

OUR CHAMPAGNE AND CAVIAR

IS AN RC COLA AND A MOON PIE

TALKIN' BOUT LIFESTYLES OF THE NOT SO RICH AND FAMOUS

LIFESTYLES OF THE NOT SO RICH AND FAMOUS

© 1994 Brother Bart Music (ASCAP)/Universal-MCA Music Publishing, A division of Universal Studios (ASCAP)/Songs Of Peer, Ltd. (ASCAP) Used by Permission. International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved.