[104 BPM in A minor. Simple early-80s drum-machine pattern, dry short kick, short electronic snare, closed hi-hats, minimal fills. Analog synth bass with a slow syncopated pulse. Warm poly-synth chords, restrained sequenced synth motif and a simple melodic electronic lead. Low contralto female vocal register, controlled rhythmic phrasing, restrained melodic range. No backing vocals.] [Intro - instrumental] [Dry electronic drums, soft analog synth bass, warm sustained poly-synth chords] [Verse 1 - low, calm, conversational] The music is quieter now, The glasses disappear. Someone turns the lights down low, And suddenly the night is clear. A man is looking for his coat, A woman checks her face. The band is packing cables And slowly leaving the place. The floor still holds the shadows Of everyone who danced. A little silver confetti Is caught inside my hands. [Refrain - low contralto, restrained] After the last dance, After the lights go down, After the last goodbye Has disappeared into the town. After the last dance, There's nothing left to prove. Sometimes you only understand the night When there's nothing left to lose. [Verse 2 - steady, reflective] I remember every doorway, Every taxi in the rain. Every promise made at midnight, Every promise made in vain. There were nights I thought would last forever, There were mornings I forgot. There were people I was certain I would never lose. I lost them anyway. And somehow I am standing here, Still listening to the sound Of a song that ended long ago But never really left the ground. [Instrumental Section - instrumental only] [Analog synth bass continues. Warm poly-synth chords, restrained sequencer and short melodic synth lead.] [No vocals] [Verse 3 - low, intimate] The last couple leaves together, The doorman locks the door. The street is almost empty Like I've never seen before. I step outside without a coat, The air is cold and clean. The city looks completely different From the city in my dreams. I don't know where tomorrow goes, I don't know who I'll meet. But for the first time in a long time, I don't need to know. [Bridge - low spoken contralto female voice, dry] No more tickets. No more photographs. No more names written on hotel keys. Just the night... and the road home. [Final Refrain - low contralto, controlled, slightly warmer] After the last dance, After the lights go down, After the last goodbye Has disappeared into the town. After the last dance, I finally understand: Not every ending needs a reason. Not every story needs a plan. [Final Verse - calm, almost conversational] The morning will find me Somewhere beyond this street. The music will be memory, The rhythm underneath my feet. I turn around once And look at the empty floor. Then I smile. And walk through the door. [Outro - instrumental] [No vocals. Slow analog synth bass pulse, warm sustained chords and a simple repeating synth motif. Drum machine continues for several bars, then stops cleanly. Synth motif remains alone and fades slowly.]
