Nice shirt, and khaki chinos
Dessert and cappuccinos
SUV, he looks good in it
Driving past his credit limit
She's climbing that Stairmaster
Up to Happy Ever After
Though she never seems to get there
She can't stop
No she can't stop

Why do we try so hard'
Life's not some greeting card
Models and movie stars
They're just pretending
They're just pretending

Family full of achievers
Beat the Jones and be the Cleavers
Give the lawn a manicure
No rough edges, that's for sure
Sunday the whole congregation
Doesn't seem to need salvation
Everybody's just terrific
All the time
All the time

Why do we try so hard'
Life's not some greeting card
Models and movie stars
They're just pretending
They're just pretending

Everybody's under pressure
Got to get our acts together
Living out these scripted roles
Tidy and predictable
What if we just all agreed
To wear our hearts on wrinkled sleeves
And live the mess and mystery
Of a real life
Live real life

Why do we try so hard'
Life's not some greeting card
If we're not who we are
We're just pretending
Why do we try so hard'
Life's not some greeting card
Models and all those movie stars
They're just pretending
They're just pretending