[Verse 1] Depression! It has a name! Depression! It plays the game! No steel doors closing, No bars in sight, But somehow I’m locked up By Friday night. I don’t hear the warden, I don’t see the chain, But I’m doing hard time Inside of my brain. [Pre-Chorus] Oh, what a party! What a beautiful mess! Everybody’s smiling— I’m cross dressing in distress! [Chorus] I’m dancing with depression, Two steps to the left! Spin around the living room, And do what I do best! Sleep, sleep, sleeping, ’Til the afternoon, Dancing with depression To a very gloomy tune! [Verse 2] My showers of reality Turn darker every day, I bark if you challenge me, I bark if you stay. Don’t ask me how I’m feeling, Don’t ask me what’s wrong, Just leave me in my cave awhile— I’ll be happier miserable all alone! I’m a grouch in a bathrobe, A prince without a crown, If happiness comes knocking, I’m probably not around. [Chorus] I’m dancing with depression, Two steps to the right! I haven’t left the house today, But boy, am I alright! Sleep, sleep, sleeping, That’s my big career, I’ve got a PhD In disappearing for a year! [Verse 3] Depression! Invisible shackles! Depression! Handcuffs on my hands! A frozen straight jacket, A prison without walls, A roller coaster nobody sees Until somebody calls. My moods are mercurial, My forecast changes fast, The only thing predictable Is nothing ever lasts. [Bridge – almost ridiculously cheerful] Hey! Look at me! I’m having fun! Hey! Look at me! I’m on the run! From conversations! From invitations! From everybody’s Lovely expectations! [Breakdown – music suddenly gets sparse] I don’t want to talk. I don’t want to go out. I don’t want to see anybody. I don’t want to hear myself think. I just want to sleep. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. [Then beat crashes back in] [Final Chorus] I’m dancing with depression, Everybody clap! I’m doing my best impression Of a functioning human sap! I’m smiling for the photographs, I’m laughing on cue, While underneath the party I’m trying to make it through. I’m dancing with depression, What a crazy little dance! Some days I lead the music, Some days it takes the chance. [Outro – cheerful, almost absurd] Depression! It has a name! Depression! It knows my game! No milkshake of happiness, No cherry on my pie— Just me and my depression Doing the twist tonight! [Spoken, laughing slightly] “Anybody seen my motivation?” [Beat continues as he laughs] “Never mind.”
