Trouble at the Big Show

Trouble at the Big Show
Written by Tommy Shaw, Will Evankovich, James Young
Lead Vocals by James Young

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Trouble and anxiety
Don't lay your hands on me
I got more important things to do
Than get all mixed up with you

Today the truth won't set you free
With broke-down technology
Getting high but feeling low
We got trouble at the big show

Pie in the sky ("It's a drag")
But I'm not afraid to die ("Buzzkill")
Can you help me come down ("I'm comin'")
Off this cloud I'm living the dream on

Pie in the sky ("It's a drag")
But I'm not afraid to die ("Bringin' me down")
Can you help me come down ("All the way")
Off this cloud I'm living the dream on

I'm coming
You want it (Living the dream on)
Living that dream you are
Do you know my real name (Living the dream on)
I've got it at the big show (Living the dream on)

Interpretation:

The engineer is expressing his frustration as he works to keep things running on the ship (christened the "Khedive"). The mission may be romantic and exciting to some, but the ship is a highly complex machine that requires ongoing maintenance.  He doesn't get the glory like the captain and first officer, but the mission would fail without his knowledge and skills.