Pinocchio Story – English Lyrics

• By: Kanye West
• Album: 808s & Heartbreak

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Kanye West's "Pinocchio Story," a deeply vulnerable and raw live freestyle that closes his impactful *808s & Heartbreak* album. This song offers a unique opportunity to experience authentic, unvarnished English expression as Kanye pours out his heart about the isolating nature of fame and his longing for a 'real life.' Its emotional depth and unpolished delivery make it a powerful piece for understanding genuine feeling and relatable human struggles conveyed through language. What makes it special is its stark honesty—a raw moment captured live, exposing the artist's soul in a way few studio recordings can.

[English]

Wise men say, wise men say

Wise men say

...

"You'll never figure out real love

Never figure out real love

You'll never figure out real love"

It's so crazy, crazy, crazy

I got everything figured out

But for some reason I can never find what real love is about

No doubt

Everything in the world figured out

But I can never seem to find what love was about

Do you think I sacrifice real life

For all the fame, like flashing lights?

Do you think I sacrifice, a real life

For all the fame, and flashing lights?

There is no Gucci I can buy

There is no Louis Vuitton to put on

There is no YSL that they could sell

To get my heart out of this Hell

And my mind out of this jail

There is no clothes that I could buy

That could turn back a time

There is no vacation spot I could fly

That could bring back a piece of real life

Real life, what does it feel like?

I ask you tonight, I ask you tonight

What does it feel like, I ask you tonight

To live a real life

I just want to be a real boy

They always say, "Kanye, he keeps it real, boy"

Pinocchio's story is, "I just want to be a real boy"

Pinocchio's story goes to be a real boy

It's funny, Pinocchio lied and that's what kept him from it

I tell the truth and I keep running

It's like I'm looking for something out there trying to find something

I turn on the TV and see me, and see nothing

What does it feel like to live real life? To be real?

Not some persona on TV that no one can really feel

Do you really have the stamina?

For everybody that sees you, they say, "Where's my camera?"

For everybody that sees you, they say, "Sign the autograph"

For everybody that sees you crying and says, "You ought to laugh

You ought to laugh"

I just want to be a real boy

Pinocchio's story goes, "I just want to be a real boy"

Pinocchio's story goes

And there is no Geppetto, to guide me, no one right beside me

The only one was behind me

I can't find her no more, I can't find her no more, I can't

The only one that come out on the tour and stays

Back when I was living at home and this was all a big dream

And the fame will be got caught and the day I moved to L.A

Maybe that was all my fault, all my fault to be a real boy

Chasing the American Dream

Chasing everything we see

Up on the TV screen

I went out, the Benz was left and the clothes was left

And the hoes was left, you talk the hoes to death

You spend the money to death, you spend the doughs to death

And tell me what is left for a real boy?

They say, "Kanye you keep it too real, boy"

Perspective, and wise men say, "One day, you'll find your way"

The wise men say, "You'll find your way"

The wise men say, "You'll find your way"

The wise men say

...