[Verse 1]
I said-a beau–tiful people
They've got a Robert Palmer t-shirt in their travel bag
Beau–tiful people
They've got a price upon their head
I said-a beau–tiful people
Have got some friends who just flew in from LA, yeah
Beau–tiful people
They haven't really much to say

[Chorus]
I said, people, they just want to take you
People, they just want to make you
People, they just want to break you down
They just want to take you down

[Verse 2]
I said-a beau–tiful people
They ride two-hundred dollar pushbikes in the park
Beau–tiful people
They won't admit it but they make love in the dark
Beau–tiful people
Snap frozen potted palms in the corner of the sitting room
Beau–tiful people
The art-decor sonic boom

[Chorus]
I said, people, they just want to take you
People, they just want to make you
People, they just want to break you down
Want to take you down, yes, they know how
They're gonna get you

[Verse 3]
I said-a beau–tiful people
You know they're going out tonight to get their Bombay rocks off
Beau–tiful people
They've got a Kerouac conditon, got a cocaine cough
Beau–tiful people
Studio 54 is the only place to dance
Beau–tiful people
You know the garden's full of furniture, the house is full of plants

[Chorus]
People, they just want to take you
People, they just want to make you
People, they just want to break you down
Want to take you
People, they just want to make you
People, they just want to take you
People, they just want to break you down
They just want to take you down