The Only Joy In Town Lyrics - Mitchell Joni

I want to paint a picture 

Botticelli style 

Instead of Venus on a clam 

I'd paint this flower child 

"You are the air my flowers breathe" 

He calls, and the ladies turn around 

On the first day of Spring 

I'm looking at the only joy around 

He's the only joy around 

The only joy I found 

The only joy in town 

The Spanish steps are crowded 

Bunch of bodies brooding there 

Dead pan side-walk vendors 

Hustling vacant stares 

Making all the more exceptional 

This fool in a flower crown 

On the first day of Spring 

I'm looking at the only joy in town 

He's the only joy around 

The only joy I found 

The only joy in town 

The Botticelli black boy 

With the fuchias in his hair 

Is breathing in women like oxygen 

On the Spanish stairs 

In my youth I would have followed him 

All through this terra-cotta town 

On the first day of Spring 

We'd dance and sing 

And be the only joy around 

We'd be the only joy around 

The only joy in town 

He's the only joy I've found 

All day 

At night these streets are empty 

Where does everybody go 

Where are the brash and tender rooms 

In Roman candle glow 

Where are Fellini's circus' 

La Dolce Vita clowns 

On the first day of Spring 

I'm looking 

At the only joy in town 

He's the only joy around 

The only joy I found 

The only joy in town 

1988, 1991 Crazy Crow Music BMI