[Intro: exposed bass riff; dry drums enter] [Verse 1: close male lead; restrained guitar] The rented speaker blew at eight. A little girl stood by the curtain. I drove back home to fetch my own. You kept the room singing till then. She missed a word and kept on going. Her father waved from halfway back. You said my name into the mic. I stayed to stack the chairs with you. [Pre-Chorus: guitar tightens around the bass] Next month they printed up a poster. The rented speakers never came. I took a picture by the doorway. I cropped it close around my name. [Chorus: heavy band; warm backing voices sing the title, lead sings the other lines] THANKS IN ADVANCE. You say it like goodnight. I haven't said I'll stay. You've turned out half the lights. THANKS IN ADVANCE. You knew I'd understand. The others have their evenings. I've got the keys in my hand. [Verse 2: clipped groove; close conversational lead] A new guy offered me a hand. I watched him winding up a lead. I took it back to show him once, Then put the finished coil away. He stood there with his empty hands. I said, "Go on. Enjoy the band." I watched him laughing with the others. I turned away and checked the time. [Chorus: same melody; guitars open wider] THANKS IN ADVANCE. You say it like goodnight. I haven't said I'll stay. You've turned out half the lights. THANKS IN ADVANCE. You knew I'd understand. The others have their evenings. I've got the keys in my hand. [Bridge: exposed bass and voice; pulse continues] A woman waits behind the curtain, Her words on paper, folded small. She sings the first line to her shoes. I bring her voice into the hall. Somebody joins her from the back. She lifts her face. She finds the tune. I stay beside the little red light. I want another night like this. [Final Chorus: full weight; backing voices remain warm] THANKS IN ADVANCE. You say it like goodnight. I haven't said I'll stay. You've turned out half the lights. THANKS IN ADVANCE. You knew I'd understand. The others have their evenings. I've got the keys in my hand. [Outro: lead alone; final line uses the backing voices' polite melody] The new guy reaches for his coat. I put the keys beside his hand. "The last two cases go downstairs." He starts to speak. I turn the next light out. Thanks in advance. [Instrumental: one turn of the bass figure; unresolved dry stop]
