They’re Creeping Up On You

[NO INTRO] [VERSE 1] Everything white. Everything sealed. Nothing gets touched That hasn’t been cleaned. Windows don’t open. Doors lock tight. Forty-four floors Above all that filth outside. People are dirty. People are weak. People leave fingerprints Everywhere they breathe. [SPOKEN DISGUSTED MALE VOICE] Animals. [PRE-CHORUS] Check every corner. Check every seam. Nothing gets into A place this clean. [CHORUS] Clean, clean, clean. Nothing gets in. Seal up the windows. Scrub down the skin. Clean, clean, clean. White as can be. There’s something in the kitchen. It isn’t me. [VERSE 2] One on the counter. Kill it. That’s all. Little black stain On a spotless white wall. Call Mr. White. Tell him come quick. There’s been an intrusion. Take care of it. [SPOKEN ANGRY MALE VOICE] I don’t care what time it is! [PAUSE] Another one. Under the chair. Another one. How’d you get there? [CHORUS] Clean, clean, clean. Nothing gets in. Seal up the windows. Scrub down the skin. Clean, clean, clean. White as can be. There’s something in the bedroom. Watching me. [SHORT MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTAL] [VERSE 3 — RHYTHM BECOMES TWITCHY] One by the telephone. Two by the door. Three in the cabinet. Four on the floor. Five in the hallway. Six by the light. Something keeps moving Just out of sight. Spray every corner. Crush every one. Why are there more Every time that I’m done? [SPOKEN FRANTIC MALE VOICE] Where are they coming from? [PRE-CHORUS — BREAKING DOWN] Check every corner. Check every seam. Something got into My perfect machine. [CHORUS — INCREASINGLY CHAOTIC] Clean, clean, clean— There’s one on the wall. Clean, clean— There’s ten in the hall. Clean— Under the table. Clean— Under the chair. Clean— [WHISPERED OVERLAPPING VOICES] They’re everywhere. [BRIDGE — POWER FAILURE] [ALL INSTRUMENTS CUT] [SPOKEN MALE VOICE] No. No, no, no. Turn the lights back on. [LOW ELECTRICAL HUM] Turn the lights back on. [FAINT SKITTERING] Turn— the lights— back— on. [LOUD ELECTRICAL SNAP] [FINAL SECTION — TOTAL CHAOS] They’re in the kitchen! They’re in the walls! Coming through the outlets! Coming down the halls! Under my clothes! Over my bed! Get them off me! GET THEM— [FINAL CHORUS — DISTORTED AND SWARMING] Clean, clean, clean! Nothing gets in! Clean, clean, clean! Scrub down the skin! Clean, clean, clean! White as can be! Nothing gets in here! NOTHING GETS— [ABRUPT STOP] [LONG PAUSE] [FAINT SKITTERING] [SPOKEN WEAK MALE VOICE] Clean… [WHISPERED VOICES] Clean… [SPOKEN WEAK MALE VOICE] Clean… [OUTRO — QUIET, WET AND CLOSE] Something moves beneath the skin. Something scratches from within. Perfect apartment. Perfectly sealed. Nothing gets out. Nothing gets— [LOUD SWARMING SOUND] [ABRUPT END]