[Intro] [Muted horn smear, honky-tonk piano; a soft inhale over room murmur] [Spoken, low, smoky, close] This ain’t another parlor hymnal, sugar… [Brief pause, dry chuckle] He let the crown climb up his noggin. Yours? Strictly checked at the coatroom. [Whispered, chopped] (off… with… your… head…) [Verse 1] Don’t let the bulls peek in I left the back door cracked, now they’re sniffin’ where I’ve been Gin on my best dress, ash on my white tips I wear the gossip like I paid for these sips Hush when I glide, hear your ice kiss your glass I’ve swallowed worse than every word you pass [Pre-Chorus] Step behind my curtain Let the velvet trace along your chin You got this close… Don’t start playin’ saint again [Chorus] Bow, let your hat tip I like your nerve, let me watch it twitch Keep that fast mouth hummin’ Till the band swings hard and you forget who’s comin’ [Drop 1] (off—off—off with your head) What was that you said? (off with your head) Little less wisecrack… Little more respect (off… with… your… head…) [Instrumental Groove] [Walking bass, brushed snare, plunger trumpet growls, soft laughs and clinking ice] [Verse 2] Coat hooks snag my cuffs, coal beneath my nails Dragged my name through mud, still you chase the tale Feathered headband crooked, digs behind my ear Funny how your sweet lord won’t stroll in here Slide your coat, I’m takin’ that seat Keep your hands where the whole blind tiger can see [Build] [Whispered, intimate; trumpet moans and piano climbs] off… with… your… head… Still got secrets to confess? Come a little closer Save your breath [Drop 2] OFF WITH YOUR HEAD (off—off—off with your head) Run if you fancy I know how your heels sound Even with the band this loud [Extended Drop Tail] (off with your head…) All that jive… Look at you now (off—off—off with your head…) [Break] [Soft, echoing; bass and drums fall to a hush] Stay inside my hush now Velvet leaves a phantom on your skin I almost ask you pretty… Then the kick drum slips back in [Final Chorus] Bow, let your pride split You wore it sharp, but I never liked the fit Where’s that fast mouth runnin’? Now you bite your lip when you hear me comin’ [Final Chant Drop] (off—off—off with your head) Keep your crown I said what I said (off with your head—off with your head) [Spoken, dry, amused] That went straight to your head. [Outro] [Piano decays, horn sighs; one last rasped whisper] (off… with… your… head…)
