When tragedy happens, it brings out the best.
You stand ‘round and watch; say, could you pass the test?
But try not to worry, there’s no need for shame,
It’s called ‘human interest’ and it’s part of the game.

Cross live to the action, and hope it don’t rain,
Try to get closer and show all the pain.
A widow is cryin’, her tears hit the ground,
The reporter is trying to get it all down, get it down.

Let’s pray for a miracle, and look for a sign,
The headlines are ready, and the story is mine.
We need some more details, to write the obits,
Let’s talk to the editor, and see how it fits.

A ‘River of Death’; or a ‘Torrent of Doom’,
Pick your favourite cliché, to add to the gloom.
In full graphic detail, let’s show how they died,
And take the survivors along for a ride, for a ride.

And we’re looking for answers, we want them today,
The spokesman is tired, what more can he say?
Let’s sharpen our daggers, its part of the game,
We got to have answers, and someone to blame.

The heroes are ready, they’re standing in line,
If they do the impossible, the legend will shine.
They’re goin’ back down there, to challenge their fate,
The networks are waiting to see how they rate, how they rate.

A hymn and a prayer, and the sermon is read,
A moment of silence, to remember the dead,
The cries of the family, fill up the screen,
The camera zooms in to feed the machine.

The footage is cut down to three minute tapes,
You can watch it again on ‘The Greatest Escapes’.
In the media scrum, it’s all grist for the mill,
It’s a ratings war, man, and it sure fits the bill…

Yes, when tragedy happens, it brings out the best.
You stand ‘round and watch; say, could you pass the test?
But try not to worry, there’s no need for shame,
It’s called ‘human interest’ and it’s part of the game. What a game!