She was a rainbow once
So colorful, but that was once
Now that's impossible to see, to see

With a voice subliminal
It's the only sign she's beautiful
Here's all that's left of her dignity
She goes, yeah...

[chorus 1]
There's agirl in New York City
Skyline's no longer pretty
Bound for destination anywhere
She grew up in California
Big dreams they tend to own you there
Now she's building cardboard castles in the air

He was a pretty boy
Rolling cash his only joy
Now that's impossible to see, to see

Used to be one of them
Now the men in suits are avoiding him
He's lost his credit card but hey he's free

[chorus 2]
There's a man in New York City
Skyline's no longer pretty
Bound for destination anywhere
Had the whole world at his window
It seems so long ago from there
Now he's building cardboard castles in the air

Does anybody know
Does anybody care
Over here, over there
Building cardboard castles in the air

[hook 2x chorus 1]

Writer : KOTECHA, SAVAN/CARLSSON, ANDREAS/GREEN, LISA
Copyright : Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.