Old Man Jones lived on the dark side of the town Never had much to say but man he had that six string down The kids they'd always listen when the old man would sing and play And me I was there just a face in the crowd When I finally got a chance to say Tell me what it takes to play with fire Tell me what it takes to make it real He said son there ain't no secrets it's all just what you feel So boy if you wanna be good better listen here It ain't about the clothes you wear Ain't about the style of your hair That ain't what it takes to be a music man It's all about the way you play Livin' for the music 'til your dyin' day That's what it takes to be a music man One chord screamin' through a wall of amplified thunder As the heavens roared and the lightning raged I knew the spell I was under Then the old man took me by the hand He said I can see it in your eyes That you got what it takes to be a music man What it takes to light up the sky Tell me what it takes to play with fire Tell me what it takes to make it real He said son there ain't no secrets it's all just what you feel So boy if you wanna be good better listen here It ain't about the clothes you wear Ain't about the style of your hair That ain't what it takes to be a music man It's all about the way you play Livin' for the music 'til your dyin' day Now that's what it takes to be a music man That's what it takes to be a music man