PHANTOM PLEASURES [INTRO — empty theater, distant strings, pipe organ, soft ghostly moans] [Lula moans softly] Mmm… ahh… Ooooh… [whisper] I think I’m going through… phantom pain…… [long silence] No wait— [LOUD NECK SNAP — orchestra stops] [booming demonic voice] PHANTOM PLEASURE!!!!!! [demonic laughter — curtains crash open] [VERSE 1 — seductive theatrical beat] Come a little closer, darling There’s an empty seat for you Velvet curtains hide my secrets But tonight I’ll let you through Four eyes watching from the balcony Four more reasons not to run You came looking for a phantom Baby, now you’ve found the one [operatic backing vocals] Ahhh-ahhh-ahhh… Do you feel me in the rafters? Do you hear me down the hall? Every shadow wants to hold you Every portrait knows it all [CHORUS — full orchestra] Phantom pleasure Sweetest little haunting in the dark Phantom pleasure Feel the chill before you feel the spark Behind the mask Behind the lace You’ll see my smile But not my face Come lose yourself inside my theater PHANTOM… PLEASURE. [tiny giggle] Again. [VERSE 2 — warped waltz] Follow my ribbons backstage Past the roses turning black Every door you open whispers There’s no reason to go back Pink champagne and broken mirrors Candle wax across the floor Hear me singing from the dressing room— [whisper suddenly beside listener] But I’m not in there anymore. [huge operatic soprano] LAAAAA-AH-AH-AH! [deep demonic voice] LOOK BEHIND YOU. [Lula laughs] Ohhh, don’t look so scared. You wanted a show. [PHANTOM WALTZ — elegant 3/4] Dance with me, darling One-two-three One-two-three Spin with the ghost You came here to see One for the pleasure Two for the pain Three little kisses— [glitch] Again. Again. A-A-Again. [operatic vocals growing frantic] Round and round the chandelier Hold me closer, disappear Pretty phantom, pretty lie Kiss the stage and say goodnight [ALL MUSIC STOPS] [quiet breathing] Did you think I was haunting the theater? Baby… [booming demonic voice] I AM THE THEATER. [ORCHESTRA, ORGAN, GUITARS AND CHOIR EXPLODE] PHANTOM PLEASURE! PHANTOM PLEASURE! [demonic scream] LET THE CURTAIN FALL! [GRAND CHORUS — soprano Lula layered with demonic Lula] Phantom pleasure Hear me singing underneath your skin Phantom pleasure Every ending lets another show begin Velvet! Roses! Candles! Smoke! [choir echoes] Velvet! Roses! Candles! Smoke! Take your bow You’re part of the show! Four eyes shining through the veil Pretty little nightmare, fairy tale Angel singing overhead Demon laughing underneath instead! [huge sustained operatic note] PLEAAAAASUUUUURE— [demonic scream] PHANTOM!!!! [BREAKDOWN — cathedral bells, crushing drums] Take. Off. The. Mask. [SNAP] Put it back. [SNAP] Take it off. [whisper] Put it back… [frantic strings rising] You don’t get to see me yet. [giggle] PHANTOM! [choir] Pleasure… PHANTOM! [choir] Pleasure… PHANTOM! [choir] Pleasure… [Lula screams] PLEASUUUUUUURE!!!! [FINAL CHORUS — massive operatic climax] PHANTOM PLEASURE COME AND TAKE YOUR SEAT PHANTOM PLEASURE HEAR THE GHOST BENEATH THE BEAT Kiss the mask Dim the light Stay with Lula Through the night Every curtain Every scream Every wicked little dream PHANTOM PLEASURE! PHANTOM PLEASURE! [high operatic vocals] Ahhhhhhhhh! [demonic Lula] YOU WANTED A SHOW! [OUTRO — everything suddenly becomes soft] [opening piano and distant organ return] [audience applause slowly becomes distorted] [Lula breathing softly] Thank you… Thank you… You’ve been such a lovely audience. [pause] But nobody told you to leave. [single piano note] [soft moan] Oooh… I think I’m going through phantom pain again… [NECK SNAP] [close whisper] Nope. [long silence] [distant demonic voice] PLEASURE. [curtain slams]
