From the recording Kartoon World

Written by Al Steele
Featuring Peter Karrie - the longest serving Phantom Of The Opera in the West End - as a grumpy New York Jew!
Ceri Darknell, Al Steele's long suffering partner also makes an appearance as a telephone operator!

Lyrics

One step forward 2 steps back
just a breath away from a  panic attack
there’s a  horde of lawyers on your back
trying to hold on, can you hold on
One step forward 2 steps left
wrap it up with red tape and tax it to death
thirty thousand junk calls making me deaf
can you hold on please?

This is the life, stupid and blind
Here is the life that we are living             
if this is our time? then where can we find
all the love we say we’re giving?
now is the time, to put down the knife, 
and ask, whose is the life you’re taking?
if this is the life, then stand up and fight for love
the love you should be making?
if this is the life

One step forward 2 steps back
gamble with your life put it all on black
funny how the rich get the bigger stack
to hold on, to hold onto
One step forward 2 steps right
never gonna beat this this hypocrite
nothing that you touch seems to turn out right
but you hold on
 
Chorus

All the bankers in their greed!
THIS IS THE LIFE
Politicians in their pens!
THIS IS THE LIFE
Dictators on the make!
THIS IS THE LIFE
Distorting religion for their own ends!
THIS IS THE LIFE
Staring at our mobile phones!
THIS IS THE LIFE
Buy it on your credit card!
THIS IS THE LIFE
Everyday a thousand children die!
THIS IS THE LIFE
And you think your life is so hard?!

Chorus

THIS IS THE LIFE    x 1000000