[Verse] Mr Skiffington, the famous actor Shows up late in a coat he swears is his Knows every line, then leans into the stumble Like he’s selling the whole thing on purpose, with a grin He signs programs in the lobby, half-checked out Puts his name on things he didn’t earn Checks his watch, asks for one more take Then arms aloft like the crowd paid to watch him learn [Chorus] Mr. Skiffington, still playing the part With that practiced smirk and a hollow heart Mr. Skiffington, back in the spotlight's glare Pretending he hasn't a single care He keeps a stack of notes in the glove box Coffee stains on the first page, tabs gone soft Reads the reviews in the hardware store parking lot Laughs at the bad ones like they’re not enough He buys his own flowers from the corner guy Says they look better if nobody knows Then leaves the receipt on the counter Like proof he came through and didn’t pose [Chorus] Mr. Skiffington, still playing the part With that practiced smirk and a hollow heart Mr. Skiffington, back in the spotlight's glare Pretending he hasn't a single care [Instrumental] Mr Skiffington, the famous actor Gets his cue and still looks past the mark Fixes his cuff, wipes off the stage dust Then waits for the silence before he starts He talks to the crew like he’s known them forever Forgets their names by the end of the night Takes the wrong turn out of the theater And waves at the poster in the lobby light [Chorus] Mr. Skiffington, still playing the part With that practiced smirk and a hollow heart Mr. Skiffington, back in the spotlight's glare Pretending he hasn't a single care On Sundays he sits with the paper, orange peel Circle around his face in the arts section Tells the dog he’ll quit next spring Then signs up for another opening He likes the dressing-room mirror best When it’s got tape and fingerprints on it Says fame’s just a habit in better shoes And a car that never stops at the front door
