[Instrumental Intro – funky bass guitar, electronic drums, handclaps, synth stabs] [Verse 1] Forty years of playing straight Sunday dinner, mowing lawns Never knew what I was missing Now the party's going on Bought myself a leather jacket Found a bar around the bend Turns out I've been looking for A whole different kind of friend [Pre-Chorus] A little nervous, little shy But I've got that sparkle in my eye Life begins at forty, they say Well, I'm making up for yesterday! [Chorus] Beards and bears! Leather and lace! A whole new world and a brand-new face! Beards and bears! Come on, let me in! I've got a whole new life to begin! Beards and bears! I'm feeling alive! Forty years old and ready to thrive! Beards and bears! I finally see! There's a whole lot more to being me! [Instrumental Hook – funky bass, synth brass, handclaps] [Verse 2] Used to watch the football game Now I'm checking out the players Never knew a Saturday night Could have so many layers Got a number, got a date Got a little something on the side I used to be a family man Now I've got a social life! [Pre-Chorus] A little nervous, little shy But I've got that sparkle in my eye Life begins at forty, they say Well, I'm making up for yesterday! [Chorus] Beards and bears! Leather and lace! A whole new world and a brand-new face! Beards and bears! Come on, let me in! I've got a whole new life to begin! Beards and bears! I'm feeling alive! Forty years old and ready to thrive! Beards and bears! I finally see! There's a whole lot more to being me! [Bridge – stripped-back bass groove, spoken vocals] I like the beards! I like the bears! I like the way they do their hair! I like the leather! I like the lace! I like the look upon their face! [Build – rising synthesizers, snare fills] [Final Chorus – full production, layered backing vocals] Beards and bears! Leather and lace! A whole new world and a brand-new face! Beards and bears! Come on, let me in! I've got a whole new life to begin! Beards and bears! I'm feeling alive! Forty years old and ready to thrive! Beards and bears! I finally see! There's a whole lot more to being me! [Instrumental Outro – extended funky bass riff, electronic drums, synth stabs, fading backing vocals]
