Ashes in the Spotlight

[Intro – haunting, then explosive] They said the light would save me. They were wrong. HERE WE GOOOO! [Verse 1] Cameras hit like car alarms Every smile’s a loaded charm I learned to bleed behind the glass Painted gold, but built to crack No one saw me disappear Right between the sound and cheer Sold my soul in colored lights Signed in fear, sealed in spite [Pre-Chorus] Every step rehearsed in chains Lipstick hides the growing stain They don’t clap for what they see— They clap to quiet what's beneath [Chorus – bright, massive, serious] AHH—AHH! WOO—WOO! I burn fast in the cold white glare They don’t love me — they just stare AHH—AHH! WOO—WOO! Built me up just to watch me fall Lights go out, I lose it all Ashes in the spotlight That’s all I ever was [Verse 2] Late nights soaked in neon dust I fake the highs, forget the trust Wrote my name on shattered glass No way back, no second act You think you know what fame feels like? Try drowning in your own stage mic Try smiling through a swollen jaw Just to feed their need for flaw [Pre-Chorus] Golden cage with velvet bars I’ve made peace with every scar But don’t mistake this voice for grace— It’s the echo of erased [Chorus – repeat, more intense] AHH—AHH! WOO—WOO! I burn fast in the cold white glare They don’t love me — they just stare AHH—AHH! WOO—WOO! Built me up just to watch me fall Lights go out, I lose it all Ashes in the spotlight That’s all I ever was [Bridge – stripped back, raw] I gave you fire You gave me smoke I gave you truth You made it a joke I let you in You called it fame But I died every time You screamed my name [Final Chorus – no mercy] AHH—AHH! WOO—WOO! I burn fast in the cold white glare They don’t love me — they just stare AHH—AHH! WOO—WOO! Built me up just to watch me fall Say you knew me, but you never saw Ashes in the spotlight That’s all I ever was