[Intro] Lights are off, curtains drawn Funny how you didn't notice the show was gone Still standing in the aisle, hands in the air Clap a little louder, maybe somebody'll care [Verse 1] You're reviewing a performance that ended last year Writing love letters to a ghost that disappeared I moved on, baby, the cast's already flown You're the only one still cheering in a theatre alone Got your little program, highlighting every line Quoting scenes that were never even mine Sweetheart, the encore's not coming back The spotlight moved on, you just lost track [Pre-Chorus 1] Keep on clapping, keep on screaming my name Nobody's listening, but go off, it's a shame Wear that smile like it's holding up a lie Standing ovation for a show that already died [Chorus 1] Empty seats, empty seats Just you and the echo of your own defeat Curtain's down, house is cleared I'm already gone and you're still standing here Empty seats, empty seats Clapping for a memory you're too scared to leave Sweetheart, the show is done You're applauding for a prize you never won [Drop] [pulsing, attitude-heavy instrumental break] [vocal chops, bratty ad-libs]: "hah" "please" "bye" [Verse 2] Heard you're still waiting in the lobby every night Staring at the posters like they're coming to life Honey, that's not love, that's a hostage routine Got you talking to a stage that forgot your scene I hope the silence sounds sweet when you replay The version of the story where I ran away But I didn't run, baby, I walked out slow Waved at the exit, watched you sit front row [Pre-Chorus 2] Keep on clapping, keep on screaming my name Nobody's listening, but go off, it's a shame Wear that smile like it's holding up a lie Standing ovation for a show that already died [Chorus 2] Empty seats, empty seats Just you and the echo of your own defeat Curtain's down, house is cleared I'm already gone and you're still standing here Empty seats, empty seats Clapping for a memory you're too scared to leave Sweetheart, the show is done You're applauding for a prize you never won [Bridge] Look around, look around, is anybody there? Just your shadow and a seat that nobody shares I'm not cruel, I'm just honest when I say You're performing for a crowd that walked away Take a bow, take a bow, make it graceful this time The lights are up, the stage is mine I'm not the villain in your monologue I'm just the girl who turned off the fog [Final Chorus] Empty seats, empty seats Just you and the echo of your own defeat Curtain's down, house is cleared I'm already gone and you're still standing here Empty seats, empty seats Clapping for a memory you're too scared to leave Sweetheart, the show is done You're applauding for a prize you never won [Outro] [slow, smirking, half-spoken] Hope you enjoyed the performance, love Tip the usher on the way out The show's not coming back β¦but thanks for the standing ovation
