[Intro — five breaths become the rhythm] [Voice 1, low] He said I was different. [Voice 2] He said that yesterday. [Voice 5] Not the way he said it to me. [Verse 1 — Voice 1] He walks in late like time belongs to him Half an apology, half a dangerous grin I know the story, I know how it ends Still let him stand too close again [Voice 2 — quick and precise] He knows which joke makes my guard come down Which little lie sounds honest in a crowd I watched him use it on somebody else Then smiled when he turned it on me [Pre-Chorus — Voice 4] We compare the warnings Like diamonds in our hands Every one identical Every one thinks hers is rare [Chorus — Voice 3, almost dry at first] You are everybody’s favorite mistake Everybody knows, but nobody learns You make a promise like a match in the rain Pretty for a second, useless when it burns Everybody’s favorite mistake Five smart women standing in the same bad light We keep calling one another foolish While we wait for you to choose us tonight [Post-Chorus — spatial member responses] [Voice 1] Not me [Voice 2] Not twice [Voice 4] Not again [Voice 5] That’s a lie [Verse 2 — Voice 5] You told me they were jealous of the way we speak Like secrecy is proof that something must be deep I wore your private attention like a crown Till I saw four matching jewels [Voice 1] Do not confuse my silence with surprise I recognized the hunger in your eyes The cruelest part is not that you repeat It’s knowing I still want my turn [Pre-Chorus — Voice 2] We know every angle We know every line He does not make us stupid He makes being stupid feel divine [Chorus] You are everybody’s favorite mistake Everybody knows, but nobody learns You make a promise like a match in the rain Pretty for a second, useless when it burns Everybody’s favorite mistake Five smart women standing in the same bad light We keep calling one another foolish While we wait for you to choose us tonight [Bridge — Voice 4, exposed] What if none of us is special? What if that is why it hurts? Not because you chose another Because you made us compete first [Member exchange] [Voice 1] I knew better [Voice 2] So did I [Voice 3] Knowing is not leaving [Voice 5] Wanting is not wise [Final Chorus — separate entrances, unresolved] [Voice 1] Everybody’s favorite mistake [Voice 2] Every warning dressed like fate [Voice 3] Every promise burns the same [Voice 4] Still I turn when you say my name [Voice 5] Five reflections in your eyes [All] You do not have to choose tonight That is how you keep us alive
