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the hold steady - understudies lyrics

[verse 1]
in the window of the storefront
there’s a mugshot for a manhunt
and those cakes all decorated with cartoons
piñatas shaped like parrots
secrets leaking from the gas tanks
in the back while they were twisting up balloons
the helium was n0ble
and the nitrous was obnoxious
and the neon lit the stage
for the patrons in their boxes
and the scarecrow stepped on set
he stumbled then recovered
started on his steps then said whatever
[pre+chorus]
this is showbiz
hit the spotlight
if you really want to dance then put your shoes on
and the diamond
in his tie pin
was blinking like an isolated neutron

[chorus]
he said it’s perfect when you’re finally performing
but all this waiting around just gets so boring

[verse 2]
when the show is over
then a people in a theater
stand up and start to clap
try to take this whole thing back
but the night is just beginning
for the actor and the gaffer
he’s taking off his makeup
and they meet up by the back door
in the alley there’s an taxi
when they get in it starts moving
and the driver gets a feeling
that he knows just where they’re going
and it’s quiet and he listens
to the actor the gaffer
discuss the things they’re getting
and where they’re going after
[chorus]
and if 4am’s the night time or the morning?
it’s hard to get to sleep after performing
when a star is born the habit begins forming
it’s hard to get to sleep after performing

[verse 3]
the adrenaline it kicks in
when the stagehand hits the curtain
it’s exciting when you’re working
you get to be a different person
but later when it’s over
and they’re sweeping up the lobby
and you’re still on that wavelength
and it’s sometimes hard to shake it
the bakery is a business
that’s pretty unsuspecting
they’re busy on the third shift
and the doors are always open
the actor and the gaffer
they enter through the kitchen
when the baker sees them coming
he starts taking off his apr+n

[pre+chorus]
now it’s showtime
hit the spotlights
but the gaffer never turned up
and his phone’s been dead since last night
now it’s showtime (now it’s showtime)
cue the dancers (cue the dancers)
the director phones the actor
but the actor doesn’t answer
call the back up (call the back up)
get the new guy (get the new guy)
they’re pacing around backstage
trying to brush up on their lines
the understudy (the understudy)
plays the savior (plays the savior)
comes in and does the part
without the dangerous behavior
[chorus]
but when a star is born the habit begins forming
it’s hard to get to sleep after performing
is 4am the night time or the morning?
it’s hard to get to sleep after performing

- the hold steady lyrics

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