Chess - Press Conference Lyrics

1988 Broadway
Chess the Musical - Press Conference Lyrics


REPORTER 1:
Does your opponent
Deserve such abuse?

FREDERICK (spoken):
All Soviets deserve abuse.

REPORTER 2:
But even you must
Concede he can play.

FREDERICK (spoken):
Sure, he's the best red on the circuit.
I'll give him that.

REPORTER 3:
He hasn't lost
For a long time--
He could be a
Tough nut to crack.

FREDERICK (spoken):
Listen, if he gets one game off me, it's
because I want to keep press interest going.

REPORTERS:
Why do you persist
With vicious attacks,
ungracious remarks re:
Opponents?
It smacks of a
Lack of conviction
Admit you're under duress
And that your only skill left
Is for money, not chess.

If Soviet life's as grim
As you claim,
Then how come their boys
Are so good at the game?
Though you swear
The American dream
Is clearly the best,
You're no advertisement
For life and times
In the West.

REPORTER 4:
Why did you risk the whole match
Breaking down?

FREDERICK (spoken):
I don't know what you're saying. What are
you implying?

REPORTER 5:
All your outrageous demands,
Your conceit.

FREDERICK (spoken):
I don't see anything outrageous about demanding
what I'm worth.

REPORTER 6:
They pay all that you ask for,
And then you demand even more.

FREDERICK (spoken):
I am the reason you're all here.
Who had heard of Sergievsky?

REPORTERS:
It's hard to believe
What we're reporting.
Why so disparaging?

FREDERICK (spoken):
Are the Communist sporting? My God!

REPORTERS:
Not very sporting.                
Tell all this to the
United Nations,
Are you an asset to
East-West relations?

FREDERICK (spoken):
What is this?
What have the Russians ever done for East-West relations?
Have you people any serious questions?

REPORTER 7:
Will you be quitting for good
If you lose?

REPORTER 8:
How come your second's a girl,
Lover boy?

FREDERICK (spoken):
What did you say?

REPORTER 8:
How come your second's a girl,
Lover boy?

(Freddie storms out pushing Reporter 8 out of his way)

REPORTERS:
Well, what did I say?
He's out of his tree
He's finally flipped,
And between you and me--
He's no hope of retaining
His crown in his frame of mind.
In fact,
He shouldn't have come here,              FLORENCE:
He should have resigned                      Smile, you got your first

Well, what did I say?                           Exclusive story.
He's out of his tree
He's finally flipped,
And between you and me--                  Now you can bask in his
He's no hope of retaining
His crown in his frame of mind.
In fact,                                              Reflected glory.
He shouldn't have come here,
He should have resigned.

If he is in this frame of mind                 "Naked and provoked
He should be dumped,
He should be resigned.

If he is in this frame of mind                   Yankee aggression!"
He should be dumped,
He should be resigned.

If he is in this frame of mind
Oh, what a credit to
He should be dumped,
He should be resigned.
Your great profession!
Well, what did I say?
He's out of his mind
He's finally flipped,
He should have resigned.

Other Songs: Chess the Musical Songs Lyrics
Press Conference Lyrics Chess the Musical


Chess the Musical Lyrics

SYNOPSIS
The Story of Chess
Merano
Commie Newspapers
Press Conference
Anatoly & Molokov
Where I Want to Be
Diplomats
The Arbiter
Hymn to Chess
Merchandisers
The Arbiter (Reprise)
Quartet (A Model of Decorum and Tranquility)
Florence and Molokov
1956 – Budapest is Rising
Nobody's Side
Mountain Duet
Florence Quits
Pity the Child
Embassy Lament
Heaven Help My Heart
Anatoly and the Press
Anthem
One Night in Bangkok
One More Opponent
You and I
The Soviet Machine
The Interview
Someone Else's Story
The Deal
I Know Him So Well
Talking Chess
Endgame
You and I (Reprise)
Anthem (Reprise)