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"You Can't Win" is a song from The Wiz and is sung by the Scarecrow portrayed by Michael Jackson. The Scarecrow is forced to sing this song by The Crows.

The song was a replacement of the song "I Was Born On The Day Before Yesterday".

You Can't Win lyrics[]

  • You can't win, you can't break even
  • And you can't get out of the game
  • People keep sayin' things are gonna change
  • But they look just like, they're stayin' the same
  • You can't win, your in over your head
  • And you only got yourself to blame
  • You can't win Child
  • (You can't win Child)
  • You can't break even
  • And you can't get out of the game
  • You can't win, the world keeps movin'
  • And you're standin' far behind
  • People keep sayin', things'll get better
  • (Just to ease your state of mind)
  • (So you lean back, and you smoke that smoke)
  • (And you drink your glass of wine)
  • So you can't win, Child, you can't break even
  • And you can't get out of the game
  • You can't win, you can't win no way
  • If your story stays the same
  • (You ain't winnin')
  • No, no
  • (But it's nice to see you)
  • (I'm awfully glad you came)
  • (Better cool it 'cause it ain't about losing')
  • And the world has got no shame
  • You can't win, Child
  • You can't break even
  • You can't get out of the game
  • You can't win, you can't break even
  • Ain't the way it's supposed to be
  • (You'll be spendin')
  • No, no
  • (Your little bit of money)
  • While someone else rides for free, ooh
  • (Learn your lesson)
  • (Refuel your mind)
  • (Before someone blows out your flame)
  • You can't win, Child, no
  • You can't win
  • You can't win, Child, no
  • You can't win
  • You can't win, Child, no
  • You can't win
  • You can't win, Child, no
  • You can't win
  • You can't win, Child, you can't break even
  • And you can't get out of the game
  • You can't get out of the game
  • You can't get out of the game, no, no

Gallery[]

1978 Film[]

2015 Live[]


Trivia[]

  • The song was also used in The Wiz Live!, where it was sung by Elijah Kelley.
  • The song was originally written for the Winkies to sing in the Broadway production of The Wiz but was cut.
  • In 1981, Jackson would remake the second part of the song for his song "Can't Get Outa The Rain" for the release of Thriller but it was scrapped
    • The song was released on album "Thriller 40" in November 2022.

Videos[]

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